December 21, 2010 by Darlene

I Won an Ipod Shuffle!!!

Something in Your Stocking Giveaway from 26.2 is my cool down –

Comments – This was the easiest way to enter the contest and I was a little surprised at the number of people who did not take advantage of this one. To enter, all you had to do was comment on one of the posts on this blog. There were a total of 208 comments made between the time I posted the contest and last Friday at midnight. I input 1 to 208 into the random number generator and this is what I got back:

This iPod Shuffle was won by Darlene C. who runs the My First 5K blog. In reading her blog for a few moments this morning, you owe it to yourself to read up on what she does in her free time. She is mentoring a young single mother right now. I think that is super cool. She has been emailed and I hope she claims her prize.

YAY ME!!!

Happy Running and Happy Winter Solstice (More Daylight!!!)

December 20, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #23 & Monday Goals

This week’s question: Write a poem (any kind works) that sums up your 2010 year of racing.

Answer:

There once was a runner named Darlene
     Who at every 5k race could be seen.
            Then she started to wonder
     If at longer runs she would blunder.
            So she signed up for a 10k
     But that day she did not feel ok.
Give up, she did not
And PRed at a Turkey Trot.
Now her goal for 2011:
Run a Half at age 57!!

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 22 miles. I did 22 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K. (under 30 minutes!)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Thurs – off from work
Fri – off from work, tennis, mah jongg
Sat – Xmas in LG

This week’s running:
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 4 miles
Fri – 4 miles
Sun – 11 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 23 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!

December 19, 2010 by Darlene

Gift & Card Exchange and Half Marathon Training Updates

I got this charm in the mail. I assume it’s from my secret buddy on Run with Jill’s Blogger Gift Exchange. I don’t who it is…but a sincere THANK YOU. I love it!!

My secret buddy will get hers soon. I promise to mail it tomorrow!!

I mailed cards to my 3 matches in Finishing is Winning’s Blogger Card Exchange. So far, I have received one.

Update:

wk 1 – 18 miles – long run – 8
wk 2 – 21 miles – long run – 9
wk 3 – 11 miles – long run – 8 (strained quads)
wk 4 – 12 miles – long run – 3 (on vacation)
wk 5 – 18 miles – long run – 8.5
wk 6 – 21 miles – long run – 9
wk 7 – 21 miles – long run – 10 * (without stopping)
wk 8 – 22 miles – long run – 9 * (without stopping)

Today’s long run was after a 5k race last nite. I was tired. The first 4.5 were fine but then I was dragging & walked off and on during the last 4.5.

So……FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!!

Happy Running! Don’t forget my giveaway that ends 12/22!

December 18, 2010 by Darlene

Albany Last Run 5K Race Report

Another new race for me. My first night race also. The route features a beautiful course through Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and a spectacular fireworks show so I thought it was be fun. Even though today was my long run day, I wanted to be fresh for the race so I’ll do it tomorrow.

My blogger friend Amanda had signed up as well as my friend Mary. The race sold out at 1200 several weeks ago and I was glad I signed up early.

My hubby came and we got there early so waited inside where it was warm.

Before the race

Yes, I look like a giant pumpkin. This was a Holiday race, why did they choose ORANGE? It was a nice wind shirt, though.

At 4:45 pm, we went outside for the fireworks display. It lasted 15 minutes which seemed like forever when you are cold and anxious to run a race.

Then all of a sudden, they ended and I heard the mayor say “Start.” I was just watching the fireworks with my hubby and nowhere near the start.

I took off like a flash and tried to fight my way through the crowd and get into the race. I even had to go on the sidewalk. Obviously I lost a lot of time here but this was such a fun race, I didn’t mind.

It wasn’t cold. In fact, I felt over dressed with my layers, hat & gloves. Many of the racers were dressed as elves, Santas, etc. We ran through the park which was decorated with light displays. I had recently seen it through my car window but this was so much better.

The route was rather hilly, not steep ones but annoying ones. I felt like I was running at a good pace all the same and taking in the scenery.

The mile 1 marker read 9:40 which wasn’t bad after the late start but mile 2 said 21:50 . That’s slow, I said to myself but there were lots of hills. Then all of a sudden, the race seem to be nearing the end. So that wasn’t really mile 2 – how deceiving!

The race which started uphill now ended downhill – Hooray! I crossed at 29:15. Two minutes slower than my recent 5k PR but still a good effort! (I came in 456 out of 1200….4th in my AG)

After the race, I had been invited online to have drinks with 2 Daily Mile.com racers. So I stopped by the restaurant. It was fun meeting them in person. We chatted about running, of course.

So my year of racing has ended. 21 races in 2010!

Happy Running!

December 16, 2010 by Darlene

Busy Time of Year

for blogger card exchange

Things have been so busy lately that I almost forgot my hair appointment for this afternoon. I was bummed when they called to remind me because I had planned to run 4 miles outside after work.

Instead I had to drag myself to the gym this morning to run on the treadmill. It has snowed last nite & I’m still nervous about slipping & falling. Actually running on the treadmill was a little better than the last 2 times but I know that I can’t do my long runs on it.

Dilemma:

I signed up for a 5k on Sat nite – it should be fun but will it be slippery??? Will everyone be wearing Yak Trax? Should I do my long run first & then do the race or wait til Sunday to do my long run?? (The weather is supposed to be better on Sat. but I don’t want to be tired for the race.)

I wish I weren’t so competitive. I would just run and have fun…

Lucky for me, it’s just me & my hubby so there’s not much to do…just a little decorating which is done…a little baking (this Sun!)… and a little shopping (next week).

My cards have been sent… (We took these photos on lake George this past summer.)

Happy Running! Stay warm! Don’t forget my Marathon Giveaway!

December 14, 2010 by Darlene

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!

December 13, 2010 by Darlene

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!

December 12, 2010 by Darlene

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!

December 11, 2010 by Darlene

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!

December 9, 2010 by Darlene

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 🙂