December 2, 2010 by Darlene

Hanukkah & the Half

As I said in my previous post, this was my Hanukkah present to myself. I used my USAir miles to book a flight into Ft Myers, Fla. after work on Jan 14. I booked a motel near the race. (They even gave me $10 off per night when I mentioned I was running the race.)

My hubby’s sister now lives in Florida and he’s never visited her. A former co-worker of his lives there and one of our LG friends will be there at that time. I always go on vacations and my hubby never does. He doesn’t complain because he prefers to stay home & relax. I, on the other hand, am always on the go and LOVE to TRAVEL.

For his Xmas gift, I booked him a flight to Florida on Jan 10 and rented him a car. He will visit his sister & friends, go deep sea fishing, etc and then pick me up at the airport on Jan 14.

We will stay in Naples together until Jan 18 (I have Jan 17 off). He can watch me in the race and I can show him around my favorite spots in Naples (where I been 7x).

CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!

I’ve cheated a little. I’ve actually been secretly training. I am on week 6 of the schedule below. I started the day after my 10K fiasco. It may sound crazy that I’ve never run more than a 5k race and I’m training for 13.1 miles. So be it!

I am making changes as needed. I have to fit running in around tennis, work, and other activities. So I am trying to run 3x a week plus one long run on the weekend. Cross-training will probably be tennis or walking.

HALF MARATHON TRAINING
Week	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT	SUN	Total
1	3	Cross Train	3	3	Cross Train	7	REST	16
2	3	Cross Train	4	4	Cross Train	7	REST	18
3	3	Cross Train	4	3	Cross Train	8	REST	18
4	3	Cross Train	4	4	Cross Train	8	REST	19
5	3	Cross Train	4	4	Cross Train	9	REST	20
6	3	Cross Train	5	4	Cross Train	9	REST	21
7	3	Cross Train	5	4	Cross-Train	10	REST	22
8	3	Cross Train	5	4	Cross Train	11	REST	23
9	3	Cross Train	5	4	Cross Train	12	REST	24
10	3	Cross Train	6	4	Cross Train	13	REST	26
11	3	Cross Train	6	4	Cross Train	8	REST	21
12	3	Cross-Train	Rest	3	Cross Train	Rest	RACE DAY!

I’ve gotten some good tips from this site: http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

Happy Running! Happy Hanukkah!

December 1, 2010 by Darlene

I did it…

Yesterday I registered for my FIRST HALF MARATHON!!! Happy Hanukah to Me!!!

Event Details:

Run along a fast and very flat out-and-back course through the area known to locals as the “Olde Naples” section of town, the Naples Daily News Half Marathon takes runners through the city streets, residential neighborhoods and waterfront districts of this south Florida city that lies near the state’s southern tip and just a short drive from perhaps its greatest ecological treasure, Everglades National Park.

Sponsored by the Naples Daily News local newspaper and the Gulf Coast Runners athletic club, the race is a longtime tradition in the Naples area and features both natural and man-made scenery, from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the architectural beauty of the multi-million-dollar homes runners pass on their way along the race route.

Following an out-and-back course that starts and finishes in Naples’ Cambier Park, runners leave the starting line at 7:00 AM and begin heading first west and then southward along Gordon Drive, which they follow for the next three and a half miles all the way down to the turnaround point at the lands’ end spot at the end of the road. There, they turn around and head back along the course they’ve just run until they hit Kings Town Drive, where they turn and head into the Champrey Bay and Galleons Cove neighborhoods.

Thanks to the race’s multiple turnaround points, at the end of Gordon Drive and inside the neighborhoods, runners get a chance to view the elite competitors in the race multiple times and see any friends who are running either ahead or behind them at several points during the race, past participants say. After the stretch of the race along Galleon Drive and the turnaround, runners then head back out of the neighborhood and onto Gordon Drive once again for the reverse route back toward Cambier Park and the finish line festivities.

One of the race’s really interesting and unique traditions takes place along the stretch on Galleon Drive, where a clergyman at Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church blesses the runners passing by (all runners pass by the church twice during the race) with holy water, which has become a landmark many runners look forward to in the race each year.

Why Run Naples Half Marathon?

The best distance course in the state! Certified! Flat-Fast-Shady-Loop!
FREE Pasta party
Great 4 color Coolmax shirts
Unique quality medals to all finishers who finish within race time limit of 2:45
Awards 5 deep for 27 age groups
Door prizes including weekends at beach front hotels
$15,500 cash awards – Open – Masters – Grand Masters – Senior Grand Masters
Special $3,500 cash awards for US citizens
Cash awards for course records overall & age group

Why Should I?

I love Naples! I go there to play tennis every spring and just got back!!
The race is on my 12th wedding anniversary.
The day after is Martin Luther King Day – a work holiday!
I can use my frequent flier miles to fly for free!
I missed my first 10K.
I am running longer runs on the weekends (already ran 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 miles).
I still have 6 1/2 weeks left to train.
I should run a half before my knees die & my body quits…

So I am…

And I am NERVOOOOOOOOUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running! Happy Hanukah!

November 30, 2010 by Darlene

November Ends…

Recap of November:
Goals – 65 miles, a 5K race & a PR

I ran 66 miles . I ran 2 5k races, both under 29 minutes and a new PR!!!! I did my first volunteering stint. A GOOD MONTH!!

December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, finish under 30 min., follow my half marathon training schedule (scary, huh?)

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600 and I’m almost there!)

Happy Running and Happy Holidays!

November 29, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #20 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: How do you manage diet and exercise during the holidays?

Answer:

I basically continue my usual running schedule. I try not indulge other than at the Parties – I have 7 holiday celebrations and 2 birthdays. YIKES!!

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 18 miles. I did 18 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K and had a PR!! WooHoo!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Fri – work Xmas Party
Sun – NYC

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 3 miles after work
Sat– 5K race + 6 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles
November Monthly Running Goal = 65 miles, a 5k race, a PR
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600)

Happy Running!

November 28, 2010 by Darlene

Parties…Parties…Run Off Those Calories?

MaryAnn's Party

Here are the stats:

2 birthday parties down (Pat’s & MaryAnn’s) and 2 to go (Amanda & Richard).
1 Holiday down (Thanksgiving) and 2 to go (Christmas & New Year’s).
5 Holiday Parties to go (Work, Mah Jongg, Quilting, Mentors, Tennis)

There’s no way I can run off those calories so I’m just going to keep up my usual running schedule and ENJOY!!

Tis the Season!!!!

Running/Eating Stats:

Thurs- I ran a 5k race and then enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner & 2 desserts
Fri – I ran 3 miles and enjoyed my dinner & dessert at Pat’s b-day party
Sat – I enjoyed dinner out then dessert at MaryAnn’s b-day party
Today – I ran 8.5 miles

Happy Running. Enjoy the Season!

November 25, 2010 by Darlene

Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot Race Report – PR Baby!!

I’ve always wanted to do the Turkey Trot in Troy but the thought of fighting the crowds of 600o racers has deterred me. Last year I did the Cardiac Classic in Schenectady and was going to run it again until this race was announced. It is in my town so no traveling.

Several of my friends – John, Pat, MaryPat were going to run with me so it would be fun.

I ran 4 times last week in Florida but since there wasn’t much time before or after tennis, I only ran 3 miles. I also ran 3 miles before work on Tuesday. I had been increasing my distance to 4 miles during the week & 7-9 on the weekend so vacation has set me back a bit.

I was hoping I would do as well as my last 5k which was under 29 minutes or at least under 30 minutes.

Since this was a first of this race, I had no idea what kind of course it would be and I also knew it would be COLD (cloudy & 28 degrees!) !!! I hate the cold!!!!!!!

So I bundled up with tights, turtleneck, jacket, gloves, headband… and arrived early to register.

unhappy about the cold

Lucky I did get there 45 min early because I was one of the last to register before they closed it. I was so surprised that close 2000 showed up for a first annual race.

I stayed warm in my car until the race began.

I started up front because I hate to lose time and they were no timing chips.

I must say that I was cold the whole race and my hands were numb even with gloves!!

The course was flat and I felt good the whole race. I had no idea about my time so I just ran to finish.

I got to the finish line to see 27:12!!1 I was so happy!! There was a crowd at the end and I couldn’t figure out where to go so I just stood there. Finally they pointed to an outside lane. I have no idea if I crossed the finish line and what time it recorded.

(Official time listed as 27:30 ! BUT “Due to the overwhelming response to this event, and the inexperience and confusion of many of the finishers with a multiple chute scoring system, the results beyond the 500th position are not available.”) Interesting?

But I have a PR!!! YAY! Extra dessert for me today!

I hung around waiting for my friends Pat & John to cross. Pat has just returned to running and I’m so happy! They finished close to 40 min but I ran with them encouraging Pat across the finish line!!

I hung around with some other avid 5k racers I know. One woman who is 60 has run 25 races and won her AG in 20 – she’s an addict like me.

They gave out trophies to the lst place in each 10 year age group. The winner in my AG finished in 23 min – DARN! I thought I had a chance since the elites were at the Troy race.

After the race, I went home to relax. I am not cooking this year!!!!!!!!!! Me & my hubby are going out to a friend’s for dinner and then stopping off at his mom’s for dessert.

Happy Running and Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #19 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: In the spirit of Thanksgiving…tell me what you are most thankful for; one thing, five things, or many things. But here’s the fun part…tell me, in photos!

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Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 15 miles. I did 12 miles! (and I was on vacation)
I had a great vacation in Naples, Florida – played tennis for 5 days (3 hrs each day), ran 4 times, saw 3 sunsets!!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Thurs – Thanksgiving
Fri – time w/mentee & Mah Jongg

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Thurs – 5K Race
Fri – 3 miles
Sun – 9 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles
November Monthly Running Goal = 65 miles, a 5k race, a PR
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600)

Happy Running!

November 21, 2010 by Darlene

Vacation is Over!

Fantastic!!! I had a great time in Naples, Florida!!! It was sunny and warm (80’s) EVERY DAY!!!!

Summary
Sunday – arrived, dinner by the water
Monday – ran 3 miles, played tennis, beach, shopping, sunset, dinner by the water
Tuesday – ran 3 miles, day trip to Sarasota, visit to the Botanical Gardens, shopping, sunset, dinner
Wednesday – tennis, tennis lesson, beach, shopping, dinner
Thursday – ran 3 miles, tennis, tennis lesson, beach, dinner
Friday – tennis lesson, tennis, beach, shopping, dinner
Saturday – tennis lesson, ran 3 miles, beach, sunset, dinner by the water
Sunday – left

Photo Highlights:

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Happy Running!

November 14, 2010 by Darlene

This Blogger/Runner is on VACATION!

dinner at Naples Tomato

This is our 6th trip together to Naples, Florida.

Normally we don’t go to Naples in the fall. We have gone to Las Vegas 7x, Dominican Republic 1x and Delray Beach 1x. However, the Naples trip is easy to plan and I am the planner. And besides, it’s too difficult to find running routes in the other locales. Now that I’m a runner, that’s important!

There are 6 of us going this time. Normally we are 10 and rent 2 villas each April (from the same lady) in World Tennis Center. This time several cannot go so we are renting 2 condos in WTC, instead.

I will be playing tennis everyday from 8-11 am and be the busy the rest of the day with a variety of fun activities.

I am bringing my running clothes. Will I run??? That’s the plan!!

I won’t have a computer so no posting or reading running blogs for 8 days!!! I will post pics when I return.

Here’s another photo from our Naples vacation last April:

Tennis at WTC

Happy Running. Enjoy your week. I’ll miss you!

November 13, 2010 by Darlene

Last Run Before Vacation

Still on a high from Thursday but very busy since!

I went to the newly opened Dinosaur Bar-B-Que last nite and then to my Mah Jongg group.

I am going to Naples Florida tomorrow morning with my tennis friends and not returning til next Sunday evening.

As any runner would, I worry about fitting in RUNNING!!

Being part of a tennis group who plays doubles from 8-11 and then goes to the beach. This time of year (unlike the spring), it gets dark early too.

That being said, I may not be doing a lot running. 😦

Today, I had a hair appt, then went shopping for last minute items and then I had to run!!!!

The weather cooperated. It was sunny and 60 degrees!! (Didn’t it just snow a few days ago!?) I wore capris & a long sleeve shirt and was SWEATING!

I ran the same route as I did several weeks ago – the 8 mile (with a snack break in the middle) loop. This time I walked while I drank a bottle of water and ate a donut.