September 19, 2009 by Darlene

New Visions 5K

It was a beautiful morning for a run – I got there early since I thought the race started at 10am and it actually started at 10:30 am. It was pretty cool. I wore a tank top but couldn’t bear to take off my jacket til right before the start. One man was even wearing gloves.

The turn out was small so I was running by myself all of the race through the neighborhood. I was glad I wore what I wore since I warmed up quickly. The course was confusing. There were times I was not sure I was going the right way and the roads weren’t closed to traffic so there were cars backing out of driveways and going down the streets.

I slowed my pace after the last race where I ran out of gas at the end. I looked at my iPod after one mile and it was over 10 minutes – not good for a PR. I quickened my pace and ran the whole race without walking. It was the first race I’ve run where I didn’t feel tired. When I came close enough to see the finish line, it said 30 minutes. I was mad! I sprinted as fast as I could to finish under 31 minutes and fortunately I did .

After the race, I felt that I could still have run another few miles. This was encouraging after the way I felt during the week when I run.

I still have to find a good pace. Fast enough in the first mile but not too fast so I can finish strong.

Next race I signed up for is Sunday at the Crossings – I’m also thinking of Friday night – the Arsenal City 5k. We’ll see how the week goes and how the weather is.

September 13, 2009 by Darlene

Bruegger’s Bagel Run

bruegges09

Beautiful weather for a race. I met some people I knew from work, from my former job and from running. I started out with the pack and after I mile realized my pace was too fast. As a result, by the last mile I was fading fast – no energy – I even stopped for water 3 times. The good news, my feet felt great. But I have raised my standards and I didn’t finish under 30 minutes. I finished at 30:10 which wasn’t bad but I was disappointed.

I looked at the times since they were giving out awards for top 3 finishers in each age group. I was 5th but even if I had a PR, it wouldn’t have made a difference.

All in all, it was fun and I’m looking forward to next weekend – with New Visons in Slingerlands or Helper’s Fund in Chestertown.

August 18, 2009 by Darlene

Fasig-Tipton 5K

At least I got to the race early but I didn’t think it would be a good one – it was hot…I bought new ear buds and an armband band for my iPod… both were uncomfortable…I had a stomach ache from Indian food eaten the day before…my shorts were too tight..wah..whah..whah.. (done whining!)

The race started at the same place as the Silks & Satins 5k but went in the opposite direction. I started near the start and was quickly passed by most of the runners. The course was hillier than I expected with no mile markers at all.

I was tired and walked for a while at the water stop – probably the halfway point and had no energy at the end so I couldn’t believe when I crossed the finish line – it said 29:30!! My fastest ever! I think I’ll buy the photo (there was a photographer at the finish line) in case I never run that fast again.

me crossing the finish line

They gave away bag chairs as prizes but the age divisions were by 10 years – no chance for me.

I’m taking a break. My next race is not until Aug 29.

August 8, 2009 by Darlene

Jailhouse Rock 5K

jhr

This week, I got up earlier and arrived at the race on time – found a great parking spot and had time to spare. It was a cool sunny morning. I met 2 nice people with the same philosophy of running as me – sign up for 5k races to motivate oneself to run in between. I also met 2 people whom I work with. I had no idea they ran and are beginners like me and love races.

The race started at the top of a hill so the end was a steep decline. There were no people timing the 1 or 2 miles pts so I had no idea my pace. I was tired at half-way but finished strong. Unlike the others, I was afraid to run fast down the hill, afraid I would fall on my face so I was holding myself back.

My iPod said I finished at 30:49 but I started with a colleague and not as close to the starting line as I should have. My official finish was 31:04.

When I looked at the results page, I noticed that I came in FIRST in my age group!! A first for me and I didn’t even stay for the awards ceremony.

My Prize

My next race is back in Saratoga next Saturday. Since I was in Bolton Landing today – I did my usual morning Sagamore 3 mile run. I love it – wish I could always be on vacation and on my boat on Lake George!!

August 1, 2009 by Darlene

Silks & Satins 5K

It started out poorly but ended pretty good.

I went to bed too late and couldn’t sleep. I got up at 6:30 am instead of 6:00 am and had to drive about 95 mph to get to Saratoga on time. When I got there, the parking lot was full luckily I found a nearby spot on the street. I dashed to registration to get my number and chip and then to the starting line – phew!

It was a beautiful day and I love the course. I ran the lst mile at 8 something which was too fast, then the 2nd mile at 18 something so I was on pace to finish under 30 minutes – a PR!? I ran out of gas at the end and crossed the finish line according to my iPod at 30:40 and I was pleased. Not a PR but my fastest of the season – http://bit.ly/1ZkoiU

June 30, 2009 by Darlene

Escaped the rain

I have to re-calibrate my iPod so it was more like 2 miles…

6-30run

June 29, 2009 by Darlene

Getting back in shape or at least tryin’

Well, it wasn’t three times last week but at least it was two…I ran about 1.75 miles Thurs before work and 2 miles last night.

It’s hard getting back into it. I plan to run tomorrow before work and Thursday am then I’m in Lake George til Sunday. Of course, rain is forcast so we’ll see.

June 23, 2009 by Darlene

Taking a unintentional break from running

I haven’t run since June 7………… There was rain, tennis, rain, on Lake George, rain, tennis, conference in Colorado, tennis… many excuses and no race til Aug 1. Races always motivate me to stay in shape.

I am busy every day after work it seems so I have to try to get up early and run before work. Good luck with that!

It’s frustrating because every time I take a break, it takes a while to get back to where I was (speed & stamina wise).

Goals:
practice 3 times a week. at least 2 miles each run
run a 5k under 30 minutes
come in at least 3rd in my age group

June 7, 2009 by Darlene

Run for Help: 5K Against Domestic Violence

radv

Well, I didn’t get my 3 practices runs in this week. I only did one on Tuesday but decided to race anyway.

It was a beautiful sunny day. But not perfect condition for a PR : ran the first mile too fast (about 9 min), hilly (not steep but persistent) course, didn’t get a drink of water at mile 2 and they ran out at mile 3. As a result, I walked several times especially during the last mile and had no gas to finish strong.

So how did I finish it in 31 minutes? It was my fastest this year. Faster than the 3 races where I didn’t walk at all and felt strong throughout especially at the end of the race. Go figure!

My next race is not until August 1. I need to motivate myself to run.

My goal is to some day finish in the top 3 in my age group. I think I was 5th in this race and 64th out of almost 200.