My first 4 mile Race

Sunday, I ran Blazing Trails for Autism: 4 miles in Great Neck. The race started at 9:30am so I had plenty of time to get ready in the morning and then get to the race. No need to feel exhausted or rushed. When I arrived I had to park so far away from the registration pick up. The school campus is really beautiful with a wooded path behind the buildings. It seemed like a 1/2 mile hike. When I finally got to the gym for my number and goodie bag...oh and a real bathroom! ....I realized I wasn't going to wear the really nice hooded sweatshirt...I couldn't believe there were some who actually wore it during the race???... so then I had to walk back to the car again. And then......to get to the starting line......another trip back to the gym. This time I ran so I could warm up a bit. Lots of people were doing the same thing. There were plenty of politicians in full force at the race start as well. It appeared at the beginning to be so well organized. Finally the race began!! I was off to a nice start...comfortable especially since it was all uphill to begin. There were a lot of volunteers along the course either shouting encouragement, pointing out well marked obstacles, like cracked pavement etc. And there were timers calling times at mile #1 and mile #2. The course itself was comprised of a lot of rolling hills. It seemed like every time I reached the top of one thinking it was the last one, there was another one waiting for me to climb. But, I told myself that for this race I was not going to stop running no matter what. I read an article somewhere, that it is best to keep running. I believe it kept my momentum going when it seemed to waver. I avoided the crowed water stop at mile #2. Way too many people and not necessary. I had enough trouble a watching out for thrown cups! The end of the race was one lap around the school's track. The announcer was great; calling out every runner's name and time as they crossed the finish line! Definitely a very big job. My final time: 38:33 and a 9:39 pace. I was extremely pleased with my results. The food at the end of this race was awesome. Someone was handing out bottles of Gatorade as you walked off the course. And then,there were tables of bagels, bananas, apples, lots of different drinks, including water,
and lots of cookies and snacks almost all gluten-free and wheat free. Lots of seconds as well. A far cry from the Diva race, where the Gatorade was rationed or the Cow Harbor race where all they had was seltzer water?! This was a really well run well prepared and nice race...oh and lots of raffles as well. Too bad I didn't win the Cannondale bike! No big deal it was a great race, lots of fun and will enjoy running it again next year.

Run Like a Diva

On Sunday, October 3rd I ran in the Run Like a Diva 5K race. 99% of the runners were women. The Friday before, I also went to the expo which was kind of cool because everything seemed geared to women runners. I got a few bargains like the winter thermal at about 1/3 the price I paid last winter. But a lot was kind of gimmicky. How many glitzy hats, shirts and headbands can you look at? The race was on Sunday. It turned out to be very chilly in the morning; but it was survivable. I was able to 'check' my sweatshirt right before the race. Once again, I was at a race alone so I all I could do was focus on getting ready to run. I did wish someone was there to cheer me on; seemed like I was the only one running solo. There was a lot of fanfare at the beginning with even a Broadway star singing the National Anthem! I was determined to start at the front no matter what this time, even if dozens of people passed me!! The course was, as it turned out, up and down probably the only hills in Eisenhower park. I took off pretty fast and then got into a rhythm. I really felt pretty comfortable at least until the last 1/2 mile. Another woman came up behind me and stayed next to me for quite a while. I tried to pick it up but just didn't have it in me. She took the lead but only by a little bit. I was disappointed that along the route there were no split times. LOL...no water but it was too cold for that anyway.
When I got to the finish line I looked up to see my time and the clock was blank! I found out it was not working. Geez.....for my $25 it would have been nice to see my time on the clock at least for myself! As we crossed the finish line there were some hunky firemen handing out roses and another in a tux handing out champagne. There was lots of food to eat but only a limited amount of gatorade was available. Don't runners really need hydration??? I had to walk back to my car for my own 'after the race drink.' After waiting in the freezing cold....what seemed like an awfully long time I found out that I had come in 1st in my age group and 31st out of 310 people! All and all I was very pleased because I ran a PR: 28:45. Wining made it a sweet race!
Next race: Blazing Trails for Autism: 4 miles

Cow Harbor Race, my first 10K.

Yes! I ran my first 10K on Saturday, Sept. 25th! I was especially happy to have Glenn drive me to the race because I was just a bit anxious. I couldn't believe that I had actually gone through with registering for this race. Although I had run over 6 miles before running it in a race seemed so daunting. I got a pretty decent rest the night before so waking up at 5:30am wasn't too bad.
We got to Northport with plenty of time to spare; picked up my number said goodbye to Glenn and headed off to wait for the start. There were probably more porta-potties than I have ever seen in one place; but I soon found out that it's a necessary part of running races....the lines moved fast considering they were very long. Runners don't waste time! It was a friendly crowd and lots of people chatted with me. Usually at races no one says much of anything to me! Except, "where is the registration?"

Finally, we were lined up our corral according to our predicted finish time. When the gun finally went off......we actually had to walk for about a 1/10th of a mile!! It was that crowded!
Then as we began to finally run we were channeled into a narrow area almost like a chute! And then it was more of a 'race walk' until it finally opened up and we could run. Of course then...bam the first hill was upon us...not too bad....ok for mile 1...but this is Cow Harbor and mile 2 is a definite big uphill climb. Ugh! I was not ready for this kind of intensity. Half way up, I had to walk for a bit....but soon it was definitely downhill running.

I really enjoyed this race! I hardly even listened to the music I had on my i-touch. The crowds were ringing cow bells, banging pots and pans, and playing music. It was so incredibly festive.People were cheering us on and giving us distance markers. And then after the last hill and mile 5.5 it was a flat and straight run into town. I felt like it was the Olympics with people cheering, a big finish sign, and lots of photographers too!! And of course, finally, I saw Glenn on the sidewalk taking my picture and cheering me!! Awesome!! This race definitely hooked me on running races even more.

The only downside was I couldn't find a regular water or gatorade at the end of the race and had to drink Glenn's vitamin water and eat some cookies! It was really cool, fun and exhilarating!! I can't believe I may not have even signed up for it. So glad I did!

Next up: Running Like a Diva 5K on Sunday in Eisenhower Park.

RUNNER'S LAMENT: SEPT. 4, 2010

Slept well.. Ate a little.. Hydrated well..
Ran this a.m 50 minutes or what seemed like a marathon!
First my knee hurt..my breathing was off..
Then my legs felt like lead.. Then all that was okay..
But I was so tired still? The last 10 minutes were like sitting a class that never ends..ugh This is the first time I ever felt like this! :(

Maybe a nap and then coffee is what I need..

Hmmm?
This is my runner's lament.

August 31, 2010

August 31, 2010

I never would have imagined, even as recently as a few years ago that running would become so much a part of my life. Sometimes there still is a bit of apprehension as I get ready to run. Will I be able to run the distance I've planned....or rather my coach has planned for me? But as soon as the first half mile is gone, I am in the zone. I forget about the time, I forget about all the things that spin in my mind during the day. I just run. I sometimes listen to my feet hitting the pavement....or....it may sound kind of funny but how comfortable my feet feel inside my running shoes. Or even better, I listen to my breath. I goes from that uncomfortable erratic breathing the first mile and then suddenly I realize it is calm and relaxed yet I'm running. It still amazes me; I'm really running. My running body has kicked into 5th gear and is on autopilot. And now this month I have run as long as 75 minutes. I just wish it was not so hot outside. Looking for sprinklers is not always easy!! September will bring new logistics of my running schedule and the amount of miles I have run this summer....and adding into the mix, teaching high school art as well.....and my 2 clubs as well...and how one fits all this into a 24 hour day? Guess I'll find out! It's been a good running month. On to September and my first 10K. Whahoo!!

July 28th

Interesting running this month....on a cruise ship. Temperature about 60F. Very brisk winds. A track that is 1/6th of a mile long. Had to run around it too many times to get over 2 miles completed. Lapped plenty of people either out for a stroll or attempting to run 3x around the track. I at least ran 3x on the cruise and also did 2 10 mile bike tours up some pretty steep inclines. I learned a lot about changing gears as well as a new healthy respect for road cyclists in the tour. Back to reality of running at home. Did about 3 miles today nice breeze, but still not enough sprinklers were on this evening.