December and more PRs for me!!!

Next race up was December 3rd: Seaford Hot Chocolate 5K Run.  This time I left a little earlier not sure where the race was exactly and how far was the parking overflow lot...yeah I know I'm a runner but I like my convenience of not being so far away to drop off my t-shirt! The bib pick up, t-shirts, food and awards were in the Seaford HS.  Nice accommodations...and no port-a-pottys!! Regular bathrooms!! Lady runners appreciate that!! I did a few warm up runs back and forth to my car....yes I did have to park about 1/2 mile away...I wasn't as early as I thought!  The racers finally got to the start and I appreciated the mass of people since a chilly breeze was still apparent! I noticed as the gun was about to go off the older gentleman next to me hunched down and ready to sprint off. The gun went off; we started to run and within about 10 seconds I noticed  in my peripheral vision, the gentleman next to me start to tumble and with him a few others went down. I was still running looking back and then as I saw help for him, I turned and took off in earnest.  Well, the best part of this race was when I hit the 3 mile mark and saw the time; it was about 26:40. Now that was a record for me!! I was astonished but dug down as much as I could to the finish line. I crossed it at  27:38. I took 3rd place out of 16. Yay! The awards were also a lot of fun sitting with a lively group of 30'somethings who were fun to be with. They included me in their revelry! And they also stepped up for some awards as well although none of us won any raffles! 

One more race in December: HoHoHo 5K Holiday Run.  Quite a few years ago my son Adam won this race, and here I am running in it! This seemed quite spectacular because if you had told me that back then I would have thought you were nuts! But I was and I was ready for it because Adam is now my coach! This was also a nice race filled with lots of fun and costumes and good cheer and holiday spirit.  Many people were in outfits for the season. And there certainly was no shortage of runners. The pre-race activities were held at the middle school. So there was a nice space to warm up after a warm up run. It was a chilly morning of about 29 or 30 degrees.  Good start and great finish. I ran another PR of 27:33. I was stoked that I ran that time again for this race.  It was a great race for me sans winning any raffle..LOL I only wish there had been some friendly faces to share it with that day. No worries; I was more than pleased with the outcomes.

New PR in November

So it's already January and December and November's blogs did not get written. So, I better back up and review November. My training included 52 miles. The weather was general great with only a few cold days. I was able to also log a long run along with a lot of candy making preparations and apple pies.  November 13 was a 5K, Blue Ribbon Run at the Oyster Bay Golf Course. It was nice weather, 60 degrees. Beautiful day to run. My WTCHS Red Cross Club supported this run with a few students running along with me. I was not prepared for so many rolling hills. The course was a constant up and down seemingly never ending. It was however, beautiful. The more races I run, the more I discover places on Long Island I have never seen although I have lived here for decades. The race was fun and well organized. There was even a heated tent. That was certainly a luxury! Overall, I ran: 28:38, 10 out of 16 in my age group. I was satisfied, especially with all the hills!  Next race up was the Massapequa Turkey Trot in Massapequa Park. First of all, I got a late start out of the house and I got to the race to see overflow parking, and tens of people standing on the bib pick up line.  I was getting a bit nervous thinking I would not have time for the bib pick up, run back to the car with my obligatory t-shirt, and a bathroom break! It was a bit chilly and no place to stay warm. I'm still in the learning mode regarding race days!  Of course, all went well with the a fore mentioned issues. It was a chilly start to the day: mid 30's. I was dressed with the right clothes and after a warm up run (probably 1 mile total) to drop off the t-shirt in my car I was warmed up and ready to go. Basically, it was a flat course and I felt good. I had to sped away from runners who were huffing and puffing so loud it was throwing my rhythm off.  The best part was my time...a new PR:  28:09....and winning 2nd place in my age group! But alas, no medal for this race or podium picture. Everyone went home for Thanksgiving day turkey!

52 Miles this Month

It sometimes amazes me: a month with lots of no running days and I still managed to put in 52 miles of running! I have been finding it hard to adjust working along with bad weather to get into a rhythm of training. Lots of ups and downs this month. Some really great training runs; setting a PR in a race but yet it was also fraught with days of no running because of work or weather.  2 weeks of races in a row also seemed to take their toll. I was especially tired after the 10k.  But....today I ran 5 miles and it was easy and pleasant. Perhaps it was because the sun was shining and it was not snowing or raining. This weekend was one of cold icy rain, sleet, and snow...oh and did I say wind also??  It was not a pleasant introduction to winter but, for sure, it was an interesting month for running.

OCTOBER 22, 2011 10K

This morning was a very early and chilly start, but a beautiful day to run. About 40 degrees F. The Big 8 10k Race had a late start due to a fender bender on the course.  The 8am start was 30 minutes late. Not much fanfare other than an air-horn to begin it.  This was definitely a challenging race.  Small uphill, downhills to start, and then mile 3 and mile 4 were totally uphill. It seemed like it would never end. At one point I had to do a little bit of race-walk; then I regained my uphill pace. I read somewhere that you should just try to maintain on the uphill and then use the downhill to make up time. When we finally got to the downhills, I certainly felt the speed increase. I just wish I could have kept it up!! The last mile was uphill! It was a bit of a grind but I decided to dig in a bit.  Some one on the sideline was shouting..."Don't quit! Keep it up! Dig in and turn it up!" I know it was not my coach....but I was encouraged to try and turn it up some more. Overall, it was a great race and totally satisfying to see my time as I reached the finish line!! Because...my last race (flat course)  was 1:04:04 and today I got a PR!!  1:02:15  That is a minus 2 minute difference on a challenging course. Yes...it was a great day for a race! I am more than pleased!

It's still September!

So, today is the last day of September. This month was exceptionally busy since the work/school year has started again. Training has been a bit of a juggle to try and find a rhythm. The summer was great. Get up early (later than a work day) run, have a leisurely breakfast and get on with the day even when it was hot and humid. But my work day means up at 6am out the door by 7ish. For me, personally, I cannot get up earlier to run. I know me, it would not work out at all.  So, now it is trying to get mentally prepared at the end of the day to go out and run after standing on my feet all day.  I know I will have to try to work on leaving school a bit earlier whenever possible!  

And now for the September running report.....

Overall, some how September has added up to 58.5 miles of running. It amazes me! 

September 11th I ran a 10k. A bit more hilly than I expected. The route was behind Jericho HS in Brookville. It was really pretty with beautiful homes and rolling hills. My time was actually better than I expected: 1:04. I was totally satisfied. I realize that a 10k does take a toll on me. I was extremely tired the next day and yoga was difficult as well. I absolutely need rest time to refresh my legs, refresh my mind and repair the muscles. Somehow, in the midst of a busy start to the school year I have managed to put my miles in and stick (almost completely) to my coach's plan. Training, I have surmised, is always a work in progress. 

So, now I am gearing up for October. I plan on doing 2 races this month: 5K and a 10K.

I certainly feel ready but I know that after the 10K I will need that rest, refresh and repair and then continue to run. Today, the last day of September I ran 4 miles in beautiful temperate conditions this morning. Clear, minimal humidity, about 65 degrees. I think I'm looking forward to Fall running. Lots of Halloween decorations and fall colors to view as I run through my neighborhood.

August...even tho it's September!!

August is gone.......and September is here already. I had a busy running month in August. My coach and I finally have a cadence with training. Every week I send a schedule with my work/personal commitments and he sends me back a training plan for the week. I think we have both learned to be flexible to find the right combination.  It has worked well for the past 5 weeks. 

Altogether this past month I ran a total of 66 miles! And I way surpassed my goal this month to run 50 miles in 30 days. I am getting close to my previous all time high mileage of 75 miles. And that was about a year ago. I feel like I am definitely in a better place with my running.  I practice stretching pretty religiously; almost always before or if not, then afterward. This month was full of weather issues; an earthquake, awful heat and humidity; oh and a hurricane with torrents of rain!  It is amazing how I got 66 miles in; but I did.

I also realized that I cannot run and do yoga in one day. It took a toll on my body when I did that in August. Lesson learned! Rest day are for rest and/or yoga not to add in a long run! I can't believe I'm looking forward to some nice fall days to run. After our horrendous winter of tons and tons of snow I thought summer would be refreshing.  I only ran 2 races this summer. One in July......I had to actually wallk for a few minutes it was so hot......and one August 13th.  Sprint for the Sands Point Preserve 5k. This was a trail/paved path race. My first race with trails. It was definitely challenging! I ran on paved paths, sand, dirt, grass, rocks, dirt paths with roots and lots and lots of uphills...funny there seemed to be very few downhills!!  Not my best 5k time but satisfied with it since it was a new terrain to contend with during a race. Time: 33:55.6  My coach said to find something different to run...and this was it.  I did enjoy it alot especially because the vista was so beautiful looking either out on the Long Island Sound or at the beautiful grounds of the 'castle' at the preserve.  With all that said, August shaped up as a pretty good running month as well as an interesting one. Hopefully, all that training will help with making my 10k race tomorrow an enjoyable one! I'm looking forward to it! 

Now, I am officially ready to begin week #6. My 19th year of teaching has begun and my 3rd year of running.  I can truly say I am a runner; a runner for life. No matter how fast or slow, how long or how short I will always be lacing up my running shoes and going out for a run. I love it. It is a wonderful feeling of freedom. Oh! and besides yoga...it's a wonderful way to "take out the trash." I'm truly lucky to have my son as my coach. Adam...you're the best!

Stay tuned for my September running updates!!

JULY 31st

I can hardly believe it is the last day of July.....where did this month fly? A grad class, visits from the Colorado family, a bad cold from my grandson, an injury and some redecorating...of and of course running. July proved to be a very very hot and humid one. Temperatures up to 100 plus and humidity that made it unbearable to even venture outside let alone run.  I did accomplish one running goal this month; I ran 40 miles in 30 days. I wasn't sure I could do it...but it proved easier than I thought. 30 miles in 30 days last month was actually easy! An that's interesting because there were a lot of non-running days because of a variety of issues.  So, starting tomorrow I'm on to the next goal:  50 miles in 30 days. July I ran 41 miles so I really think I can get to 50. This month was also fraught with an injury, albeit, short lived, heat and humidity and a bad cold. I decided to ride my bike...for 45 minutes. Not a good idea since it really does not fit me properly and I used muscles that were not properly stretched or used in quite awhile! I spent 4 days convalescing. But........with that said.....I'm back on track. Today I ran 4 miles early in the morning. That is the longest I have run in awhile. I've been kinda stuck on the number 3.  I'm now waiting for my coach to come up with a plan for the month of August. I need to improve my endurance. I have been running at what seems to be a slower pace. Improvement is an important component to my running now.  I say...bring it on. I'm looking forward to it!