Frosty Knuckle 5K Race Report

I have my computer back! It's been 10 days since I was able to use it. I'm trying not to panic that my Iphoto had to be completely thrown away and reinstalled. I have all my photos! But I don't have all my folders/albums I had organized them into.  I have been wanting to reorganize and clean out the huge photo bank I have and I guess now I can get started.   A blessing, right?

Back to the race. It was a great race and if I lived locally I would do it every year. When we drove up I had my doubts as to say it was tacky in the race start area is an understatement.  I figured my idea of a beautiful setting was not to be. We got there plenty early and had lots of time to look around.

I was not overwhelmed by the beauty of the start area.

This is just before the race started.  

Once the race got started though I was pleasantly surprised. 

This is the beginning.  I'm toward the back wearing purple and black and

waving to my friends.

We were in only in the "ugly part" for a short time.  Then we were headed down a beach access road with marshes on both sides.  I felt like my pace was good and tried to pick it up for a bit while we were on the flat part. I had a major cough going on but didn't notice it while I was racing. The temperature was great for racing.  Once we turned onto the path to the beach I got a huge smile on my face. Even though I slowed down considerably I loved racing on the beach near the ocean!  The smell, the sound, the beauty!

Racing on the beach access road.

Going on the path to the beach.

We're there.

Running/racing on the beach was pure delight!  The only thing was you had to jump over the streams coming out of the ocean frequently. I did it for the most part although sometimes I just slogged through and near the end I got up a bit farther on the beach to avoid them. I was surprised  at how quickly it ended. You came off the beach and turned and there was the finish.

Running where the sand was hard but avoiding the 

incoming tide created it's own little fartleks.

There seemed to be these little streams every few feet.

I don't have my times with me but the first mile was the low 9s, almost 8.  The second mile was in the mid 9s. And the last mile was in the 11s! Oh yeah, I ran slower on the beach. But I didn't care as it was quite fun!  As I said if I lived close by I would do this race every year.  My overall pace was just under 10.  I wasn't sure if I would get an age group award or even if they were giving them.  I hadn't seen a lot of older looking women around.  But I hung around just in case.

We're trying to show the time I'm drinking in the morning.

The beer was warm and not very good.

I'm with my friends after the race.

The "lovely" bar.

My age group prize.

I did win an age group prize.  I was third and of course I thought maybe there were only 3 of us but that wasn't the case.  It was a frosty knuckle bottle opener.  I kind of liked the shirt too.  So I was 3/8 in my age group and 77/148 overall. Not quite top 50% but oh so close.  My time was 33:45 and my pace was 9:57.  

So it was not even noon, the race was done and we had the rest of the vacation ahead of us. We drove up through New Hampshire along the coast (that took a long time) and then into Maine.  We got a bite to eat and checked in so I can take a shower and warm up. Then we hit the outlets before a celebratory first vacation night meal at the Maine Diner which never fails to delight!  

Great chocolate cake for dessert! 

Shipyard Apple Head

Excellent clam chowder and lobster roll!

Maine vacation......to be continued!

  

Frosty Knuckle 5 K

Vacation is here and just let me give a giant Woot Woot!
I head for Mass.tomorrow to race in the frosty 5 k. I hope to have fun and start out my vacation with a bang. Racing on the beach will be totally awesome.
Still no computer so this post will be more than brief. They are having a hard time getting I photo to work so no wonder I couldn't fix it!
I seem to be able to read blogs on my phone but my comments don't show up .
If you know a fix for this let me know. I type a comment, hit publish and nothing!

Odd workout week

I had no workouts outside this week.  None!  This is because that cold floating around finally caught up with me.  So at the beginning of the week I got in my speed workout and a regular run at the gym. They were both somewhat hard (perhaps because of approaching cold) and I even talked to my husband about feeling rather self congratulatory for getting them done.  Many people think I just can't wait to work out but that is so often not the case.  When I am done work for the day it would seem great to just head home and put my feet up.  (Ha ha - after dinner and all that stuff).  But I give myself no out and just go and get it done.  My workout ethic truly is a good one.  I also got in my swim this week which was nothing special, not sure why.  Then I got sick.

I thought I would get my bike training session in when I was home.  Usually when I'm sick I worry about missing workouts because I can't go out in the public and work out when I am missing work.  Not with my salary being paid through tax dollars. The public frowns on that.  I have ever gone into work less than healthy so I could get my workout in.  But.......but........now I have an indoor option at my house and I was scheduled to ride the trainer on Thursday.  Perfect.  But it didn't happen.  I.....just....plain......felt......too........lousy.  So okay, Friday was a snow day but I was still sick so let's squeeze it in.  Nope.... still feeling too lousy.  So how about Saturday.  Again, not happening.

That brings us to today, Sunday, when I truly did feel better.  Yesterday when I got up my abs hurt like crazy from all the coughing. Saturday night I slept well and hardly coughed at all!  So today I started out by getting on my trainer. I did it for the usual time but as I told my husband it was less than vigorous.  Then I wondered about getting a run in. I didn't want to go outside so I headed to the gym on   a Sunday for the first time in years. I looked up the hours on line and it said 8-12. I got there after 11 so I knew it would be a short workout.  It actually felt very good. I had no trouble running and only coughed once in awhile, more than my neighbors liked.  Since I thought the gym closed at noon I hurried through my workout and did not extend it. But no one appeared to be finishing up or chasing everyone out as noon arrived. On the way out I noticed a sign on the door that said the place closes at 2.  Maddening that the web site was wrong.

So back to work tomorrow and a regular day and a regular workout schedule gearing up for a future half marathon or two but definitely being ready for a race next weekend on the first day of my vacation! Woot! Woot! A new race and it's on the ocean!  On the beach!  Let the racing begin.

No stunning outdoor shots from my run this week.  This guy below is what I saw the most of.  The other two cats weren't  too interested in my being home a lot but this guy spent most of his time with me.

Well three hours later I have not uploaded the picture.  I upgraded,  I upgraded something else. I rebuilt but nothing is letting me import new pictures which as you know I like to do. I am giving up although I did post a question on a forum......no answers yet. I think tomorrow after work in the time I don't have I will go get my computer looked at.  Grr.  Hate computer problems.

Three Things Thursday

1. I'm sick.  Right now I'm lying in bed.  I'm very content to do nothing productive.  I think I just have a cold, none of that nasty flu floating around.  The worst is my chest/cough which is kind of disgusting to listen to.  The idea of talking to  a roomful of kids all day just didn't compute so I dragged myself off the couch at 5:30 (where I had gone when I couldn't sleep) and went to school to make sub plans.  Making sub plans is the worst thing ever.  I thought about making them yesterday but was hopeful I would feel better just couldn't face making them until I absolutely had to. Hate hate hate making sub plans.

2. I have no race this weekend which is a good thing since I don't feel well.  Last weekend, yes, and next weekend, yes, but not this one.  The original plan was to go help my son clean his house.  Take a moment to think about what  a great mother I am.  But those plans may change as he said only if there's no snow - BIG snowstorm headed this way - and it will depend on how I feel.  Back to the whole cleaning thing.  Whenever Often when I go to DC I help Emily do some cleaning. So I got to thinking about it and thought just because I'm not visiting Jameson and staying with him doesn't mean I couldn't help him clean. So I made the offer to him and he is just now taking me up on it. I do spend a lot of time at his house with Jaxon Jameson,  even using his shower after I use the bike path at times.

This is sweet Jaxon standing in the chair, watching

you leave, making you feel incredibly sad for

leaving him behind. CUTEST THING EVER!

Last time he visited our house.

3.  Some people requested a shopping post after Target and Lululemon. Well I got an ironing board at Target so I don't think anyone wants to see that.  But before that I went to Lululemon and spent some significant money.  I was shopping for a care package for  a friend and did quite well but I may have gotten a little carried away shopping for me too.  So I will post those pictures!  

I wore this at the Polar Cap run. Very cozy and it's

reversible (see below).  Love it. It's

purple, prettier than it looks here.

This shirt (a pretty pale green) is the softest thing ever and

can be worn over capris or run in of course.  I wore it last

Friday to a workshop I  went to and all day I kept thinking

about how cozy I was. Clothes are all about the feel for me.

And I also got these capris. I am a sucker

for cute capris.  Love the waist band and the 

bottom of the leg - see below!  

I also got the cutest dress ever from Athleta a while back. When it came it was a little tight but now it fits just fine. (down 11 pounds)  It isn't quite the weather around here to wear it yet but can't wait until I can.

4. I think I always end up doing more than 3.  I just finished Criminal Minds Season 4 without having season 5 available to watch!  I do think I need a break from it so I googled season 5 just to make sure Hotch was still living!  I can't stand it when my favorite characters leave shows.  Now I'm on to The Good Wife. Drama of a different kind.

Running/Annual Physical/Silliness

These are old pictures.  There is hardly any snow

now. I love the picture below.  That is the

kind of day I LOVE to run on.

I really shook things up on Sunday.  I decided not to run early as I usually do and rode my trainer first.  I was so cold the day before that I didn't want  a repeat and thought I would wait for warmer temperatures.  So I set out after 11, listening to my political podcasts thinking I would run at least 6 but probably 8 miles. I thought about trying a different route but in the end I went on the main road which wasn't snow covered.  I didn't take my camera but soon wished I had as the sky and the contrasting snow on the mountain were gorgeous!  Everything looked different with the sun fully up and I delighted in my surroundings.  I didn't turn around when I got to 4 miles but kept going up the dirt road which was snowy.   It was a nice change from the road I had been on and it had been a long time since I ran here. So I ended up running 9 miles, longer than I have gone in quite awhile.  I was tired but it was  a good tired. The only problem with running later was the church (bathroom) wasn't empty. In fact there seemed to be a discussion group going on as I barged in to use the facilities! Oh well, the stop made the rest of my run much more comfortable.

So nice to know that Ryan is watching out

for me!

Today I had my annual physical. I know I have talked about my doctor before but I have to again. I love my doctor. Seriously love her!  Once again my physical was almost an hour long.  She takes a ton of time with you and really listens.  We started out with my talking about my job this year and how hard it has been.  She was checking in to make sure I wasn't depressed and I assured her it has turned around for the better.  This is a woman who really knows how to listen and remembers important things from visit to visit.  She assured me I didn't need to worry about one thing I have going on, keep an eye on it but worry not. (She knows me well.)  My blood pressure is good, in fact she wants me to monitor it and possibly go off the half tablet I have had to take for a few years now!  My cholesterol was excellent. And she said my weight........was.........perfect.  Now I don't think it is - though it is much improved - but how can you not love a doctor who says your weight is perfect!  She also said I am approaching 60 as many 40 year olds approach 40.  She said she sees that in about 20% of her patients. This is a 20% I am happy to be a part of!

I have another race in less than two weeks.  I can't wait to get to the finish line!  I don't care at all what my time is!

Polar Cap Four Miler Race Report

The Polar Cap Four Miler  was quite fun for yet another year.  The weather was cold but not unbearable.  There seemed to be a huge crowd although I haven't compared numbers to a previous year.  Now I have, there were more last year. But I got there more than an hour ahead and had to park in the farther parking lot which I have never had to do.  I was almost worried I had the wrong starting time.  My husband ended up coming with me so I parked him in the cafeteria and went off to find the bathroom.  Who is in line in front of me but Darlene so she was easy to find.

Before the race

We made our way to the start without too long to wait.  Once you take off you go past the finish line and then up a hill.  It isn't that much of a hill but maybe because it is in the beginning it feels like quite the challenge. There is someone at both Miles 1 and 2 yelling out your time.  Mile 1 was 9:18 for me and that felt okay.  Mile 2 has a bit of a downhill and I did that one in 8:58.  Loved it! I have now compared my times to last year and each mile is so similar!  

We're off!

This is a picture Darlene took after the race. It is at

the beginning of Mile 2 looking down on Lake George.

One of the things I like about this race is that it has both 

ups and downs.

I had a number of people that I kept changing places with and it was a nice challenge to keep up with them.  There is a very long hill at the end of Mile 3 and going into Mile 4.  I actually did okay here and managed to stay ahead of some people from this point until the end.  Mile 3 was my slowest mile at 9:38 and Mile 4 was 9:11.  My overall time was 37:06 well under the 38 I wanted to be under.  I really was shooting for under 37 once I saw how I was doing but I didn't quite make it.  My husband was at the finish to get some photos of both Darlene and me.  We placed 2nd and 3rd in our age group which is the same as last time we were both here.  Yay us!  My overall pace was 9:17 which was better than the 5K I did on New Year's Day - quite a bit better!  

On my way to the finish.  

Same design as last year but not on white!

Our lunch bags.

I did get my husband to do a little shopping with me after.  We went to Target and I bought an ironing board - exciting right?  Then I got some pants that were 70% off at Eddie Bauer.  I also bought a slip that needs to be returned.  I was exhausted and had no desire to go out last night but we did.  I was also cold and just couldn't get warm.  But it was nice to see some people I haven't seen in awhile and we didn't stay too late!  Man, am I old!  

I'm Racing This Weekend!

I'm headed back to Lake George to run the Polar Cap Four Miler.  I have been doing this for several years now.  This is my 6th or 7th.  I have always won an age group award but I'm wondering if this will be the year that I don't.  I'm at the top of my age group and have been quite slow lately. I keep remembering that long hill in the fourth mile that goes on and on.  At least the weather should cooperate and not be as cold or icy as it has other years.  No one from home is going with me but Darlene will be there racing too!  Truthfully I'm kind of looking forward to some time alone. I can catch up on some of my podcasts in the car, take as long at Target afterwards as I want and make time for a stop at Eddie Bauer Outlet too.  I do need to get home in time to go to a 50th bday party that night with Mr. AJH but I would have to do one heck of a lot of shopping to not get home  in plenty of time.

So what are my goals for this race?  Well I always say Have Fun and I do truly mean it. I love to race.  I want to be under 40 minutes. I can't believe I am writing that but my New Year's 5K was barely under 30.  Okay I just looked up my time from last year. I cannot wish to under 40.  I am going to try to be under 38!  Take that slowing body.

My friend that went with me last year and raced it has resisted all invites to come race with me this year but she did sign up for the VCM two person relay with me so all is forgiven.  It's a lottery so who knows if we'll be in it.  This is the 25th anniversary so VCM is doing it up. Today's paper announced that Bart Yasso, Jeff Galloway, Frank Shorter and Bill Rogers will all be there.  This is big doings for our small state!

Have a great weekend everyone and if you're racing have fun and good luck!