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Rain, then Snow..What’s a Runner to do?

I must report I suffered NO ills effects from my 10 miler.  I felt fine on Sunday! YAY!

Sunday was my REST day & I went to our annual Mentors & Mom Holiday Party. (I was so lucky that I did my long run on Saturday since I rained all day Sunday.)

Amanda & Richard by the tree

Moms all made fleece blankets for their kids

Monday I woke up to POURING RAIN!!!  I’m a wimp.  Off to the gym I went and I ran 3 miles on the TREADMILL.  It took my one whole episode of THE GOOD WIFE! (That’s 43 min!!)

Last night, I took Amanda & Richard to Holiday Lights in the Park (Today Richard turns 4!)

I will run a 5K here Saturday night

Richard admires the tree

then gets his face painted as "Spiderman"

We decided to forgo Santa (It was $8 and last year, he wouldn’t sit on his lap!!)

Today, I woke up to SNOW!! Not a lot but enough to make it slippery.  I wasn’t planning on running until tomorrow anyway. 

So what are my running plans for the rest of the week???

Tomorrow if possible, I want to run outside before work. (If it is very slippery, I’ll go to the gym).  Thursday, I want to run a little longer and hope to run on the sidewalks around where I work.  Saturday night is the Albany Last Run in the Park – no PR goals if it is slippery. Sunday will be a long run!

Happy Running! Don’t forget about my Marathon Giveaway!

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Brain Exchange #22 and Monday Goals

This week’s question: Tell readers about your 2010 Best and Worst races.  What made them so great or not so great?

Answer:

Best race(s)- There are several.  My Thankgiving Turkey Trot was one because it was a 5k PR – 27:12 and it was so unexpected!! Another favorite was the Freihofer Race for Women because I was part of a group of 1st time racers and it was so exciting to train with them and see them do the race. I also enjoyed the Silks & Satins 5K because I met fellow bloggert, AJH. Of course, I loved winning lst place in my age group at the Veteran’s Day 5k. Lastly, the Home Run 5k because I met Mary who I’ve raced with several times since and has become my biggest fan & she mine.

Worst race(s) – Of course, there was the Great Pumpkin 10K that didn’t happen because I got sick & ended up in the ER. It was going to be my first long distance race. Most of my races have been good experiences in some way, even if I didn’t do my best.



Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 21 miles. I did   21 miles! Yay!
I ran 10 miles which is my longest EVER!
I am hosting my first GIVEAWAY!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – lights in the park w/A & R
Tues – tennis
Wed – b-day dinner w/bf
Thurs – hair appt
Fri  –mah jongg
Sat – R’s b-day party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Wed – 3 miles before work
Thurs – 4 miles before work
Sat– 5K race (5pm)
Sun – 9 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 22 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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My First (Marathon) Giveaway

Training for a Half  Marathon is so overwhelming that I am sure I will not run a Marathon ever!!  So…

Instead I am hosting my FIRST (Marathon) Giveaway!

One lucky blogger will win:

this BONDI BAND

this LIFT YOUR SOLE Necklace

3 packages of GU

this TRAINING TAG-ALONG

this RACES2REMEMBER Grace Band

To win all of the above, 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)
  • Like BondiBand on FaceBook (+1 comment)
  • Like Gu on FB (+1 comment)
  • Like Lift Your Soul on FB  (+1 comment)
  • Like  Races2Remember on FB (+1 comment)
  • Share this giveaway on your blog, Twitter and/or FaceBook (+1 comment for each)

Deadline is Dec. 22. Winner will be announced on Dec 23. 

Happy Running and Good Luck!

 

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This Week’s Lucky Number is 21!

Amanda turns 21

If you’ve read my blog, you know that I mentor a young mom named Amanda. She’ll dealing with a lot of issues related to her job, her  family, money, etc but last night I tried to make her 21st birthday special and took her out to dinner at The Melting Pot.

Amanda, me & Hannah enjoying our chocolate fondue dessert

This week I ran

21 miles!

3 miles on Monday, 4 miles on Tuesday, 4 miles on Thursday and

10 miles today!!

In addition to being the farthest I’ve ever run, it’s the first of my long weekend runs that I’ve done without stopping in the middle.

This week has been extremely cold.  During Thursday’s after work run, it was 15 degrees (0 with the wind chill) and even with my layers, I was freezing for the first half (my fingers were numb!)

Today it was sunny & a balmy 40 degrees.  I wore my cheap Walmarts compression socks under tights, a turtleneck, fleece, hat, and was too warm to wear my gloves. I drank water before I left and carried gummy bears in my pocket so I would not have to stop.

I decided to chunk my run into four 2.5 mile segments so it wouldn’t seem so daunting. Also my Ipod/Nike plus seems to die after 3 miles.

It worked well. I left my car at work and ran my usual route (on the sidewalks) that it is flat.  At 2mi, I took a right turn and this was the worst part.  It was very hilly and steep hills (so I walked here) but eventually I turned right and it was flat again for the rest of the way.

I ran past the park (where there was the tulip fest in May) where I’ll be racing next Sat. and then turned left where there was a  race earlier (see photo below) and a crafts fest (Winter WonderLARK on Lark Street).

Santa Speed Sprint this am

Darn!  I should have left my house earlier.  I stopped and turned around at 5 miles and headed back the same way.


They were offering free trolley rides today around the city. When I saw it,  I was tempted .

Again, the street with the hills slowed me down and I switched from the sidewalks to the road during the last 2 miles.  (That concrete is hard on the feet!)

 And I survived…it took me roughly 1 hr 50 but I didn’t stop my ipod when waiting to cross the street.  That’s a 11 mile pace which is my target for my first half marathon..

5 weeks from tomorrow!!!

Happy Running!

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Brrrrrr…Running & the Cold

Ok, on Tuesday I did brave the cold after work.  I bundled up and headed out on the lighted sidewalks of Albany.  It was windy and I thought of quitting several times since my face felt like it would fall off.  I also was tempted to stop at several food venues such as Dunkin Donuts but I didn’t. 

I ran 2 miles out and then back and ended my run (which was warmer on the way back) at Starbucks with a sugar cookie & a hot Latte 🙂

Today it is even colder (They said this am it was 0 degrees with the wind chill!!!).

I am planning the same route as Tuesday.

I may have to rethink the outdoor running and do at least my shorter runs on the treadmill 😦

At least on Saturday it’s supposed to warm up to the 30’s…

I really wonder how a runner can live in the Northeast…I miss Florida!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running and Stay Warm!

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Running in the Snow!

7 am on Dec 6, 2010

I got up yesterday and planned to run 3 miles outside. Then I looked outside and it was SNOWING!!! It was too late to go to the gym & run on the treadmill & get to work on time. 

So out I went. I was 25 degrees (& 14 with the wind chill) but I didn’t feel cold at all!! The problem was that it was slippery.

I ran slowly so I wouldn’t fall and closed my eyes since the snow was blowing into my contacts!

It was actually quite refreshing.  The only time it was treacherous was when I saw a big dog running at me and when I tried to stop, I started to fall.  The dog broke my fall. (Lucky he was friendly.) The owner laughed.

This morning the weather was the same so I am opting to wait til after work since I want to run more than 3 miles.

I brought outdoor clothes so I can run near work (I think there’s sidewalk & lights). I also brought indoor clothes in case I decide to go to the gym and run on the treadmill.

Which will it be?

Outside

OR

Inside

 

Happy Running!  Inside and Out!

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Brain Exchange #21 & Monday Goals


This Week’s Question:  What activities do you enjoy outside of swim/bike/running?  Are you a winter sports person or summer sports person?  Do you enjoy team or individual sports?  Do you participate in more alternative activities during the off-season?

Answer:

I am definitely a summer sports person!  I LOVE the sunshine and warm weather.

I am an avid tennis player.  I’ve been playing on a team and with friends for about 10 years.  I have made some very awesome friendships through tennis that have led to permanent friendships outside of tennis.

But what I like about running is that it is an individual sport where you can have personal goals!!

 


Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 19 miles. I did  21 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K !! (not my best but under 30 min.)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Wed – movie w/friends
Thurs – mall w/friend
Fri  – bday dinner
Sat – quilting party
Sun- Mentor party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Tues – 5 miles after work
Thurs – 3 miles after work
Sat– 10 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 21 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

 

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Jingle Bell 5K Race Report Plus More


This was my 2nd year running this race.  Last year it was 9 degrees and I FROZE!! I knew it had to be better.

Today was my long run day since I had a work Holiday party last night and I am going to NYC with my Mah Jongg friends tomorrow. I was torn on how to get it in but I decided to run the race and then add 6 miles to it later.

 
 

the party "look"

 

Though I didn’t drink last night, I danced for 2 hours in HIGH heels and my legs felt it this morning!!

Ready to "Race"

The weather seemed to be similar to my Turkey Trot so I dressed accordingly but added some accessories to go with the spirit of the race.

Before the race I bumped into some old running friends – Amanda (the amazing recent marathoner), Felice (the speedy new Mom), and Jen, Brigid & Janis (the news runners from the spring).

Jen, Janis, Brigid & Felice

 

with Santa & me

We all started the race together.  It was very crowded at the beginning and it was very difficult to get going and get by a Grinch, do, &   lady with a cap. 

Felice flew ahead.  She didn’t seem rusty after just having a baby just 2 mos ago.  I knew I couldn’t keep up.  Then the rest of the group eventually passed me but Amanda & Brigid were always in sight.

I found the course more difficult than I remember.  The hills kept coming and I battled the wind was in my face.

I didn’t have the energy to PR and something in my brain kept repeating that “You’ve got to run slow because you have 6 more miles to do when this is done.”  But I really wanted to run fast!!!!

The clock flashed 29:31 when I crossed the finish line.  At first I was disappointed but then I remembered that all my times at races on this course have been over 30 minutes.

Everyone did well.  Felice finished under 26 minutes!!!! We hung around and had pizza and chatted about racing.  Everyone was encouraging about my half marathon plans.  In fact, Janis & Brigid plan to run one in April.  I know Amanda will also.

No one won an award since they only gave out medals for the top 3 finishers.  No age group awards! Darn!  I would have won 3rd or 1st!!

After everyone left, I took off my bells and exchanged my Santa cap for a beanie.  I grabbed my ipod/Nike + and set it to 3 miles.

I decided not to do the race course because of the hills but to head out and run for 3 miles and then head back.  

 

Glad to be done with 6 mi!

 

Stats:

lst 3 mi = 31:24
2nd 3 mi = 33.29

9 miles= 1:34:24

So that’s positive splits but I didn’t walk so that’s an improvement. Actually I felt better during the 6 mile run than during the race.

Happy Running!

 

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Tis the Season…

 
Tonight is my first Holiday Party – my work party – it is always very lavish & lot’s of fun (even more if I didn’t have a race tomorrow morning.)

I also signed up for Run With Jill’s Blogger Gift Exchange (deadline 12/8)

and Finishing is Winning’s Blogger Card Exchange (deadline 12/6).

My house is decorated…with snowmen everywhere!  I plan to work on card writing this weekend.

unedited card pic1

unedited card pic2

 

Happy Running! Good Luck to Those Racing This Weekend!

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3 Things Thursday

  1.           I found this quote in the December FleetFeet newsletter:

    2. “You’ve got to have goals in life or you wither away.
    It’s no disgrace to fail, only not to try.”  – — Jon Mendes Age 90, on his plan to run/walk the 2010 NYC Marathon

    Need I say more…

  2. I definitely HATE the treadmill.  It’s so stuffy in the gym and I run so slow, it takes forever.  I also am not motivated to not walk when I get tired.  SO my plan is to get up early and run outside before work.  But if I can’t (or it rains like yesteray), I’ll have to do the dreadmill after work.
  3. Tomorrow is a rest day because I have a 5K on Saturday – the Jingle Bell Run which I did last year.  It’s The Happy Runner’s return to running after having a baby – YAY!  The problem is that I signed up before I was training for a half.  What do I do?  Do the 5k and then add 6 more miles??

Happy Running! It’s snowing on my Blog!