July 14, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Where I Run

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Show Us Where You Run

It depends on the time of day, where I am and the distance I am planning to run:

Short run after work near work:

Washington Park

Short run after work near home:

rail trail

Running with a friend after work:

The Crossings

Short Run during work:

ACP Track

Long runs:

Nisky Bike Path

Corning Bike Path

On the weekends when I am boating:

nature trail at the Sagamore Hotel along Lake George

early morning run along the lake

When I go on my annual tennis vacation:

Naples, FL (in the tennis community)

outside the community

Happy Running. Where do you run?

June 2, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Breaks

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Breaks

There are many reasons to take a break from running.

Injuries

This is the worst. Injuries suck. There is nothing you can do about them. You just can’t run. And you always wonder if you will again.

I have had a few. Broken foot in 2013…

Stress fracture in late 2012…

Ankle surgery for 2 broken bones in early 2012…

Weather

When I first started running, I stopped in October and began again in April. Then I realized that I could run in the cold weather, even in the snow. Running in the rain and ice. Not for me!!

Living in the Northeast, there were many days like below when I did not run.

The same can be true if you live in a warm, humid climate. It is hard to run in those conditions.

doesn’t this look inviting?

Life

Yup, sometimes life gets in the way. I work full-time and I am not a morning runner. Evening and weekend work, family and friend obligations often make running impossible.

My hubby and my friends do not run so I try not to let running interfere with my relationships.

10405437_10153756637729428_6501356606667614072_n

dinners out with friends

boating with the hubby

tennis instead of running

Sometimes, I’d rather be running but I know I always can’t choose running.

Tapering or Recovering

Also we may not want to take a break, we know we have to. Before and after a long race, I usually take at least 2 days off. I like to be active and feel like a slug when I don’t run. But I that these old bones need a rest or there will be repercussions.

best post half recovery

Lack of Mojo

This is a tough one. It’s when you just don’t feel like running.

I’ve had this feeling many times but since I sign up for so many races, I know that if I don’t run, there will be consequences.

There are many reasons for lack of mojo:

Over training
Fatigue
Pain
Poor races results

We’ve all experienced these.

I have recently felt the last two. Since my half in April, my feet have bothered me on and off. It is not fun to run when something hurts.

ouch!!

I also have been disappointed in my finish times. I am getting slower. Especially for my April half which I trained for and the course was flat. I expected to do better and I was depressed for long time afterwards.

not happy here

As a result, May was a low mileage month for me… (even though I ran a half marathon!!)

Happy Running? Do you take breaks from running?

April 14, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Spring Training Update

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Spring Training Update

My training this Spring is going to be pretty informal:

Mondays – FRW training group run – usually 3 miles with some speed work mixed in
Tuesdays – tennis
Wednesdays and/or Thursday – 3-4 easy miles
Fridays – gym – upper body machines
Saturday or Sunday – a race with some extra miles for a longish run

I am currently tapering for my half marathon on Saturday!!

half #12 – along the ocean – yay & a visit to a college friend in NJ

Then I have a recovery 5K before I start ramping up the miles for another half marathon.

enjoyed this one last year too – hopefully there will be cherry blossoms this year

The training begins with a 15K along the river.

yes, that’s me on the website – I ran the 10K last year – this year I signed up for the 15K

This is a weekday training run and a 5k.

May 7, 2015 6:30 pm…wasn’t planning on this but a FB friend started a team for this 5k and…

I continue my training with another 15K on my birthday.

May 9, 2015 – running the 15K, a new race for me

then a fun 5K to celebrate Mother’s Day.

GOTR event – I am volunteering in this program and will be doing it with my new buddy – otherwise I would run this for the 2nd time

Hopefully, my legs will be ready for this hilly half. I am excited to visit Burlington, VT.

May 24, 2015 – I am doing the relay with AJH – my 13th half

I will be recovering with my favorite 5K

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time.

And finally another half marathon about 1 1/2 hours south.

Half Marathon – June 13, 2105 – my 14th half – get to see the new bridge over the Hudson

I will be traveling to Denver, CO for a conference and get back the night before for this hilly 10 mile race.

June 20, 2015 – my 2nd year – loved it last year – this year I will be jetlagged.

Happy Running? How’s your spring training going? Which race(s) are you training for?

March 3, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Post-Race Treat

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Favorite Post-Race Treat

Ice Cream!!

Unfortunately, you don’t get it very often. That was one of the reasons that I enjoyed Sean’s Run (pictured above and below) so much.

Chocolate Milk

I’m not fussy, I don’t care what kind. After a race is the only time I drink it.

Happy Running! What is your favorite post-race treat ?

February 3, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Runner’s Nutrition

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Runner’s Nutrition

I should preface this post with the fact that I do not eat healthy most of the time. I love my carbs and my desserts (esp. ice cream).

That being said, here’s what me, the runner, eats :

Pre-Race Meal (the night before) – Pizza or Pasta

I don’t like too much cheese or sauce. I prefer a thin crust.

Again, I don’t overdo on the sauce or the cheese.

Pre-Race meal (the morning of) – Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat

Sometimes I make instant and sometimes I make the real stuff. My favorite flavor is maple or brown sugar cinnamon.

Snacks before and after running – Protein Bars

If I run after work, I usually eat one of these before I run. On days off, when I run in the morning, I eat one after my run. My favorites are Balance bar (yogurt honey peanut) and Kind (vanilla blueberry). I also like Cliff bars (pumpkin & gingerbread).

Fuel during long runs or long races – Energy Gels

I love salted caramel and peanut butter. Now there are 2 new ones – chocolate peanut butter & root beer!!

I usually take one GU before a race and every 4 miles during a long run or race. I have never had any stomach issues with GU,

What I drink before run & during a race – H20

Just plain water…nothing added. And usually from the tap. I don’t like to carry water so I drink it before and after or loop back to my car. Races are perfect since they provide water.

What I drink after a run or a race – Chocolate milk

Not fuel but refuel. For some reason, after a race, this is the only thing I can eat/drink right away. It doesn’t upset my stomach.

Non-running related Nutrition:

Breakfast – Hot Cereal

I like this brand when I can find it.

Lunch (I snack throughout the day at my desk) – Bagel, Yogurt, Cheese, Apple

Dinner – Meat or Fish, Brown Rice & a Vegetable
Evening Snack – Ice cream (what else?)

My downfall is eating in restaurants and at other people’s houses. I have NO WILL POWER!

Happy Running! What do you eat as a runner? Do you eat healthy?

January 13, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: 2015 Race Plans Part 1

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: 2015 Race Plans

I run so many races (33 last year) that I am just listing some of the races I plan to run in the first 6 months of 2015:

West Palm Beach Half Marathon – Ocean Views and in Florida in the winter. And visiting 4 friends too!

January 17, 2015

Polar Cap 4 miler – This hilly race takes in Lake George. I have done it several times before. The best part is that I get to run with fellow blogger AJH. Afterwards, I can go to the lake George Winter Carnival also.

February 7, 2015

Shamrock 5K – I would have liked to run a longer race like I did last year but this one fit. I am so excited to be running this race with my friend Mary in CA.

shamrock5k

Runnin’ of the Green – this is a very popular local 4 miler. This year, the location will be different. Hopefully, it will be as flat as the previous Green Island course.

March 14, 2015

Delmar Dash – This is a 5 miler that is very close to where I live and it is flat!!

March 29, 2015

Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY. I ran this for the first time last year and loved this country race.

April 11, 2015

When I didn’t get into the NYC Half Marathon, I registered for the Asbury Park Half Marathon to keep me running through the winter. I have a friend that lives an hour from this race and I will be running along the ocean!!!!!

Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY. Another race from last year that I enjoyed a lot.

April 26, 2015

Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY. This race is run along the Hudson River and is a popular local 5k and 10K race. There is a free pasta dinner the night before. I met some awesome runners last year and hope to see them again.

May 2, 2015

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady, NY. I ran this race in 2013 and plan to run again this year. I may be mentoring a someone from the GirlsontheRun program at this race, too. This 5k is very well-organized and has a chocolate fountain afterwards. Need I say more?

md5k15

Freihofer’s Run for Women – This is the only race that I have run every year so I want to keep my streak going. This year, I signed up to be part of a training group like I did for the Troy Turkey Trot. I am looking forward to running with others.

frw15

When I did not get into the Covered Bridges Half Marathon on June 7, I registered for the first annual Walkway Half Marathon in Poughkeepsie. The course will include the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail and the Walkway Over the Hudson as well as Marist College and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

HALF MARATHON – June 13, 2015

Adirondack Distance Run – It’s a 10-miler. Rolling hills from Lake George Village to Bolton Landing (where we keep our boat.) I did it last year for the first time and can’t wait to run it again!

June 20, 2015

Happy Running! What are some of your 2015 races?

January 6, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Goals for 2015

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is:

GOALS
FOR

So here are my 15:

Do not get injured.
Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.
Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.
Do some upper body exercises.
Finish all of my races under 10 minutes per mile (except half marathons)
Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.
Run a race in another state.
Run in NYC.
Get several Age Group awards.
PR in a half marathon.
PR at another distance.
Join a running group or two.
Volunteer.
Run over 900 miles.
Continue to blog almost everyday.

I think my goals are pretty conservative. I think they are ALL achievable.

The toughest will be #10 & #11. The most important will be #1. If #1 happens, then #6 and #14 can follow.

Happy Running. Happy New Year! What is your biggest goal for 2015?

December 23, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Show Us Your Year In Pictures

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Show Us Your Year In Pictures

January:

10 mile race with a friend in Palm Springs CA

February:

4 mile race in Lake George with blogger AJH

March:

5k race while visiting friends in St. Augustine, FL

a wet half marathon with new friends in Philly

April:

1st in my age group (and winning a pie) at a new 5k

May:

tennis vacation in Naples, FL

1st in my age group again at a 5k on Mother;’s Day

June:

day in Staten Island

finally running a bucket list 10 miler

July:

Jimmy Buffet concert

my 9th half marathon

August:

a scenic but tough 10K with a new FB friend

many warm weekends on our boat on Lake George

September:

Running in Central Park, NYC

finally a 5K PR

October:

college reunion in NYC

Perfect 10 Miler in NJ & a PR

November:

PR at a 15K

10K PR at a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

December:

a rainy 5k race through the lights in the park

a day in NYC with friends

Happy Running! What are some highlights of your year?

December 16, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running in Snowy Conditions

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Open so I chose – Running in Snowy Conditions

Of course, I live in the Northeast. This is the story of most of my winters (except for 2012 – the one when I was injured.)

There are several things you can do as a runner when it snows:

Do Not Run

This is probably not an option for more than two days — especially if you are training for a race.

I did this my first 2 years of running. I stopped running in Nov and started again in April. I was not a serious runner, obviously.

Run Indoors

This is probably the most logical one.

If you belong to a gym where there is a track, you can run there. I think a track is boring but it is better for me than a treadmill and you can do some creative speed drills.

You can also run on a treadmill. I personally hate them but I have used them when it is impossible to run outside.

I kinda run like this.

Wear Yak Trax.

You should have a pair if you live where it snows a lot. They really work. You can run in the snow and not slip and slide.

Find a clear road.

Sidewalks are unreliable. Sometimes they’re shoveled and sometimes they’re not. The bike paths are the same way. You never know. On main roads, there is too much traffic to run in the road. So you have to look for a road that is plowed and doesn’t have a lot of traffic or a trail that is shoveled.

This is a speed workout is from Coach Jenny:

Perform the following workout on a clean, plowed, well-lit, low-traffic, half-mile-ish stretch of road in your neighborhood, a large parking lot, or on a path.

Begin the intervals on one end of the road. This will be your starting point for every rep and the finishing point for every recovery period.

Repeat this ladder interval set 1-2 times. (Each set includes 8 minutes of hard running.)

From the starting point, run 30 seconds at a hard effort. (That means a pace where you aren’t able to speak, but can still control your form. It’s somewhere between comfortably hard and an all-out sprint effort.) Recover by turning around and walking or jogging back to the starting point. You can walk until you catch your breath and then jog back to the start. The key is to allow your breathing to come back down to an aerobic level where you can talk easily before your start your next interval.
From the starting point, run 1 minute at a hard effort, and then walk/jog recover back to the starting point.
Run 90 seconds at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
Run 2 minutes at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
Run 90 seconds at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
Run 1 minute at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
Run 30 seconds at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.

and of course, if you are lucky and able, find a destination race where there is NO SNOW!!

Me on January 17!!

Happy Running! Any other suggestions for running in snowy weather?

November 4, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Cold Weather Running

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Cold Weather Running

I must say that I HATE the cold. I much prefer running in the heat but living in the Northeast, the cold arrives too soon and lasts too long.

I think that about sums things up.

Layers keep you warm but remember not to dress too warmly. If it is 20 degrees, dress for 40. The bottom layer should be breathable. You will sweat no matter how cold it is. My middle layer is usually a fleece vest and for the outside layer, I wear a windbreaker.

HMRRC 7K

I always wear tights with a skirt over them.

Wear wool socks, gloves and a hat. My head, hands and feet are what gets cold first.

HMRRC 15K

The infographic below is very helpful:

or use this tool that will suggest what to wear, based on the info you input – http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

If you run when it is dark, wear light colors, carry a flashlight or wear a head lamp or run where there are lights.

Running on Nisky Bike Trail

If it is snowing, wear Yak Trax, go slower and watch for icy patches.

I usually care what I wear in the warmer months. But in the winter, not so much. I try not to spend much money on winter running clothes. I wear race shirts and windbreakers. I buy dollar store gloves and buy my tights and skirts in Walmart and Target.

The important things is to just get out and RUN!

Remember:

beasts