by

Three Things Thursday

  1. Boy, this has been a really long week!  At least it has seemed that way. Maybe because there have been no snowstorms and I’ve had to work everyday! I played tennis Mon & Tues evenings and bailed on my morning runs!!! I did return to the treadmill yesterday & today 🙂
  2. I’ve also had some bad news.  A good friend’s father died and another good friend’s younger sister was diagnosed with a rare rapidly spreading form of breast cancer (3-5 yrs to live even with mastectomy, chem & radiation). So I’m NOT going to complain about my left foot (last time it was the right one) that started hurting Sat and hurt Sun & Mon. The pain is gone now and it seems pretty trivial. It also reinforces my decision to go from running a 5K race to completing a Half Marathon.  You never know what life will bring. CARPE DIEM!!
  3. My credit card was burning a hole in my pocket so I registered for some races.

Mar 12 – Runnin of the Green 4 mi Run – Green Island, NY
Mar 26 – Firefighters Run 4 Life 5K – Schenectady, NY
Apr 10 – Delmar Dash 5 mi – Delmar, NY
May 8  – Mother’s Day 3.5 – Delmar, NY
Jun 4 – Freihofer’s Run for Women (5K) – Albany, NY

 I haven’t registered for my second Half Marathon yet – Apr 23 in Lake George. I want to run it but it’s hilly and I’m chicken.  I’m training for it. 

I like to run races & those long runs don’t seem to fit in (for example, my 12 mile run is scheduled for Apr 10!) .  I work so I can’t do them during the week.  I know I can add miles on after or the next day but it doesn’t feel the same as a non-stop long run.  I also like to rest the day before a long run.  I like to do my best in a race (I’m competitive!) so it’s hard to have it just be a training run at half marathon pace.  DILEMMAS!  I guess it was easy when I just ran 5ks!!  But I really enjoyed that Half Marathon experience!

I’ll figure it out… What’s more important is staying healthy and enjoying life!

Happy Running!

 

by

Wordless Wednesday

I  couldn’t resist posting this. 

But you can really substitute “Runner” for “Half Marathoner.”

by

Joe Kelly’s Commandments Reposted


I posted these several years ago. Then Molly from The Sleeper Baker just posted them.  She noted that Joe Kelly is one of the organizers of the Boilermaker 15k.  When I started running with No Boundaries 3 years ago, we trained for the Boilermaker 5k. It was so much fun!  Maybe one day, I’ll race in the 15k.

Anyway I just re-read these commandments.  You should too!  I highlighted my favorites. Which are yours?

The Runners Commandments

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.

2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.

3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.

4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.

5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.

6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.

7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.

8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.

9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.

10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.

11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.

12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.

13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.

14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.

15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.

16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.

17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.

18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.

19. Don’t always run alone.

20. Don’t always run with people.

21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.

22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.

23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.

24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.

25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.

26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.

27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.

28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.

29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.

30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.

31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.

32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.

33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.

34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.

35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.

36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.

37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.

38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.

39. Without goals, training has no purpose.

40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.

41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.

42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.

43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.

44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.

45. “Winning” means different things to different people.

46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.

47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.

48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.

49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.

50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.

51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.

52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.

53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

 
Happy Running!
by

Good News for Older Women Runners

According to this NYTimes article:

Men, as might be expected, get slower as they age. At a recent five-kilometer race in Pine Beach, N.J., which drew nearly 1,000 runners, the fastest man was 24 years old and the men’s times increased with each five-year age group.

But the women were different — their times were all over the place with older women beating younger women in almost every age category.”

But with average runners, he said, older women may be faster because, oddly enough, they are trying harder than younger women and discovering for the first time what they are capable of.

Most middle-aged women grew up when track and cross-country teams were for men only. Some of those women, who had no opportunity to race when they were young, are just learning to be athletes and are running faster than younger women who may not care as much.

He described the experience for women as “a kind of wakening, an epiphany.”

Sounds good to me! 

Watch out, Girls!  We older women are just waking up!! Who knows how fast we will get!!

Happy Running!

by

Monday Goals and Brain Exchange #25

It’s Back – Thanks to Finishing is Winning.

Topic: 2011 Racing

Question: What race are you most excited for in 2011?  Any destination races?  Are you trying out a new distance.  Tell us what it is in general you are looking forward to when it comes to 2011 racing.

This is an easy one for me.  I am most excited about the Naples Daily New Half Marathon (on 1/16/11) It was my FIRST half marathon so it was a new distance. It was in Florida and it was my FIRST destination race.

I am looking forward to trying new distances this year.  I have only raced 5ks (plus one 3.5 mi race).  I want to run a 4 mi, a 5 mi, a 10k, maybe a 15k, maybe a 10 mi and even 2 more Half Marathons!!! (I’d love to do another Half in Florida – Daytona Beach)

Of course, I hope to stay uninjured and run lots of races.  Even get a 5k PR.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 18 miles but  I only ran 16 miles. (Not bad considereing the weather!)
I ran my first 4 mile race and came in 3rd in my Age Group. YAY!

This was Week #1 of my 2nd Half Maraton training.  11 weeks to go!

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – Mentor mtg
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – funeral

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs or Fri – 3  miles before or after work
Sat or Sun –  7 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 17 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

by

Polar Cap 4 Mi. Race Report

A new race and a new distance for me.  I love Lake George (in the summer!) But it is hilly.  And it’s cold and snowy!!

What the heck, it’s a PR.

So I got up early on a Saturday morning to run a race! 

My husband remarked, “You’re gonna drive over an hour for a race!?” I replied that I know someone who drove 3 hours for a race.

It was a beautiful morning.  The predicted snowstorm was postponed until  the afternoon.  It was about 15 degrees, sunny, very little wind. I was very tired because I went to bed too late. (Friday is Mah Jongg night.)

I was almost there when fellow blogger, AJH, texted me that she was there!  I didn’t know she was going to run it but I know she has run this race several times before.  I was thrilled to have the company.  (My friend Mary has a hip stress fracture 😦 )

I thought it was going to be cold so I dressed in 3 top layers, hat, gloves, tights shorts, wool socks.

AJH & me before the race

I was wrong.  It was sunny.  I was overdressed.  I immediately took off my gloves & unzipped my jacket.

pic taken by AJH

The course was very scenic.  There were views of the snow covered mountains as well as the lake. 

It was not an easy course.  At first there were some small hills.  I was running well.  Under 10 min/mi.  That was until the last killer unending hill.   I walked and then I walked again and then I walked.  I hate that! Until my half marathon, I never walked during a race.

 

heading for the finish

happy to be almost done

All of a sudden, I became competitive and regained my strength and sprinted through the finish line.  The walking killed my time but I at least made up some at the end and crossed at 40:09. (Official results say: 40:11)

AJH took this of me finishing

(I didn’t take any pics during the race but I snapped a few after.)

AJH at the finish line

It was my first 4 mile race so I have a PR.  I love racing so I am happy!  I will do better at the next one.

my split times

I was so sweaty that I quickly got chilled so we went inside to change clothes and wait for the awards.  (There were under 200 people in this race so the chance for an award was pretty good.)

The refreshments consisted of chicken soup and lots of baked goods but I really wasn’t hungry.

Guess what?  AJH & I both won Age Group awards (We are in the same group.)  Although AJH finished way ahead of me, she won 2nd and I won 3rd. Cool!

We won soup bowls with spoons

 AJH left & I stayed in Lake George for a while.  I hope that we get a chance to race together again.  I think we will because she’s the one I was referring to when I said I “I know someone she drives 3 hours for a race.”

I headed into town because there was a lot going on.  It’s the first weekend of the 50th Lake George Winter Carnival.

 But first, I had my running reward:

vanilla latte & apple scone

Then I met my friends (who are chairpersons of the Carnival) and watched some of the events – skydiving, dogsled races,  etc.

I stopped off at the outlets on my way home but my wallet was saved by the snowstorm.  It started to snow hard and I left.  As I drove south, the snow turned to sleet, then to freezing rain and then to just rain. (At least the salt got washed off my car.)

So now it’s back to training. I don’t have a race planned until March & I think it’s another 4 miler 🙂

Happy Running!

by

Chinese New Year and Yoga

Yesterday the Chinese New Year began and 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. Happy New Year!

Rabbits run, right?  Rabbits are fast.

This should be a great year for us runners!

My Yoga for Runners class last night was interesting.  Everyone there was young and as flexible as pretzels. Then there was me.    I am very very very tight!  So I think this will help me. It can’t hurt. I plan to go again next week.

Below are some videos I found:

Happy Running!
 

by

Three Things Thursday

  1. The snowstorm was a bust. We didn’t get 2 feet of snow yesterday.  In fact, I think we got more snow Tuesday. The gym and everyplace else did not need to close.
  2. In fact, I went out and bought myself a pair of Yak Trax.  There is a lot of snow and it’s not going anywhere soon. I ran a quick 1 mile around the neighborhood when I got home to try them out.  I was surprised how light they were.  They definitely give you more confidence to run on these slushy slippery sidewalks & roads.   This morning, I ran with them again for 3 miles.

    3.      

  3.   I am undecided if I will wear the Yak Trax in my race on Saturday.  The race is in Lake George.  They did get a lot of snow yesterday.  The race will be hilly.  It’s my first 4 mile race but I’m not worried.  It’s an automatic PR.

    4. Sorry I have 4 things –

  4. I am really excited about my first Yoga for Runners class tonight!!

 

Happy Running!

by

Punxsutawney Phil, Are You Nuts?

Punxsutawney Phil gives his annual Groundhog Day weather forecast today for the  125th time.

Considering the huge winter storm on the East Coast, I doubt he will see his shadow. I guess spring temperatures are just around the corner!! Ha! Ha!

Well, I’m snowed in!

Where I work closed yesterday at 2pm and won’t open till tomorrow.

I went to the gym yesterday before work – I couldn’t run in the snowstorm (well, I could if I were crazy). I ran 3 miles on the treadmill (watched a new show – Fairly Legal).

There was a sign on the door that the gym would be closed today.  With 2 more feet of snow coming, I knew I would not be able to run outside today.

So last night, I went back to the gym and ran 3 miles (watching another episode of Fairly Legal).

I went to the gym TWICE IN ONE DAY!!

Happy Running!

by

A Very Cool Half Marathon

The 2011 information isn’t up yet…but I have friends who own a house in Daytona Beach and you never know…

2010 info:

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon’s 13.1-mile course is unlike any other race in the world, bringing runners from the World Center of Racing, to the World’s Most Famous Beach and back!

The entire course will be run on pavement (no beach run). Unfortunately, due to the track repave, we will not be able to run on the track as in previous years. However, we will use various parts of the track in-field, running a little more than 2 miles inside the Daytona International Speedway. (In 2011, the repaving should be done!!)

Runners will start just outside the Sprint FANZONE, only steps from parking, race-day registration & packet pick-up and permanent restrooms. Proceeding north from the start, runners will then loop around a portion of the Speedway’s Go Kart track. After the Go Kart track, runners will enjoy a .6 mile stretch on the scenic boardwalk alongside Lake Lloyd. You will then make your way back past the Sprint FANZONE before exiting the track.

After exiting the track, runners will dash past DAYTONA 500 Experience, the Official Attraction of NASCAR. The course will then head east towards the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing over the beautiful Halifax River and getting a first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, competitors will soon reach the World’s Most Famous Beach at approximately the 7.2-mile mark.

At that point, runners will catch a breathtaking view of the ocean at sunrise, with an approximate .1 mile stretch along the boardwalk at Sun Splash Park, before turning around and beginning the trip back to the Speedway and the finish line. The return includes another trip over the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as a run past one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American colleges, Bethune-Cookman University.

At the 13-mile mark, runners will reenter Daytona International Speedway, cross over the track and make a final sprint towards the finish line just outside the Sprint FANZONE. One of the best post race parties around is then just a few steps away in the Sprint FANZONE with awards taking place in the adjacent Gatorade Victory Lane.

KEY FEATURES:

Daytona International Speedway
The Speedway annually hosts the Super Bowl of motorsports, the DAYTONA 500, each February. The World Center of Racing is also the home of NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, held each July.

DAYTONA 500 Experience
The attraction is located outside turn four of the Speedway on the corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Bill France Blvd., and is the official attraction of NASCAR. Guests can experience the sights, sounds and history of the DAYTONA 500 through static and interactive displays. Each Daytona Beach Half Marathon entrant receives one complimentary DAYTONA 500 Experience admission.

Mainland High School
At the 3.5-mile mark, runners will pass Mainland High School, the alma mater of NBA star Vince Carter. The school’s gymnasium is named after Carter, who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school. Carter currently plays for the hometown Orlando Magic.

Bethune-Cookman University
Runners will run past BCU twice during the race. Bethune-Cookman was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, and is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities.

Daytona Beach
Competitors will reach the World’s Most Famous Beach just past the 7-mile mark. Sunrise on race day is approximately 7:35 a.m., providing a great view once runners reach the ocean. Unlike the inaugural race’s quick turnaround, the course will wind through the oceanfront Sunsplash Park and includes a one-block run on the beach boardwalk. That is where the course will turn around and head back to the start line. The course does NOT run on the sand.

How cool does this sound???

A girl can dream!!

Happy Running!