Tag Archives: half marathon

22 August 2011

Catharine Valley Half – Race Recap

By Nicki

Another weekend, another half marathon! Well, not quite as my last half was on a Thursday evening, exactly ten days prior to the Catharine Valley Half.  Monies raised from this race go to the upkeep of the Catharine Valley Trail and to the Watkins Glen Cross Country team according to this article in the Odessa File.

 

This year the race organizers offered an early start which I gladly took advantage of.  I know that my half marathon time is not less than two and a half hours … yet.  I am working on it but it has  yet to happen.  Maybe during my third full year of racing in 2012 but if not, I am happy that I keep whittling away my time.  There were probably 20-25 of us that took the 8 am start which was one full hour prior to the official 9 am start.  Most early starts that I have done are 30-45 minutes prior to the official start time.

 

About 7:30 or so, the sky started a light rain.  Last year this race was run in a monsoon-like wind and rain combination that left puddles across the trail and the last turn on the high school track before the finish line under inches of water.  I was okay with a light rain as it was rather warm out, close to 70F already.  Not sure I wanted it to rain much harder than it was, though.  Unfortunately, the rain maker didn’t listen to what I wanted.  Good news is that the trail is well-covered so it was mostly dry.

 

My legs love running on this cinder-covered trail.  The little bit of road that we ran on did not make my legs very happy.  The trail made me and my legs much happier.

 

The long and the short of this half is that I took ten minutes and 35 seconds off the time I ran this course last year.  I took an additional two minutes and seven seconds off my best half marathon time (just ten days prior) to date.  I was very happy that I ran this race according to the plan that I had set up in my mind prior to the race – five minutes of running and 45 seconds of walking.  The only thing I learned really important is I need more than water and Gatorade during a race of this distance.  Oops! I didn’t have time to get to the store and was out of energy gels and chews.

 

All the photos in the slideshow were taken post race.  It is an amazing lift to turn the corner in Montour Falls and see the falls somewhere in mile 10 (I think, it might be in mile 9).  It was also a huge boost to my running to see those runners who started at the 9 am start passing as I was running.

 

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6 comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts

15 August 2011

Tromptown Half Marathon – Race Recap

By Nicki

I really love running half marathons.  That, along with 15K and 20K races, seem to be my ideal distances.  I can run a full marathon and I can run a 5K but I get the most out of a half.

Last Thursday evening, I ran the Tromptown Half.  This was my first time running this particular race, not an odd statement since I haven’t been racing a full two years yet and who can run every race in the first year.  This particular race was full of lessons for me.  Lessons are good since I am less than two months from my second full marathon.

The first lesson learned was about nutrition.  When I have a race in the morning, it is easy.  I get up with enough time to eat, get to the race, etc.  With the race starting at 6:15 – reality is I took the early start at 5:30 so I was across the finish line prior to dark, I was unsure when to eat.  I had gotten up in the morning as usual and done some work and errands.  My son was getting ready to head back to college so there was running around in the car.  The problem was I was starved by 1 and trying to hold off eating until later.  I didn’t do too good a job with that as I hungry mid-race.

The other nutrition was about in-race nutrition.  I have found what I think is perfect for long races.  I bought some Honey Stinger chews a few weeks back in Pomegranate Passion.  These are not too big – an issue I have had with other chews – and not too sweet – always a problem.  I started with one every 25 minutes or so and this worked until about mile 8 when, without proper planning, I ran out.  Will try this same plan for my next half.

I was concerned and carried a water bottle with me.  The reason for this was that the early start was new for this race, in its first year.  The race director did say that he was not sure the water stops at miles two and three or four would be set up yet when we got to that point.  I do understand logistics and was okay as I had seen this warning on the web site so came prepared.  Many either didn’t see it or didn’t care to heed the warning.

And just so you know that races do not go perfect for me, I want to say I had a race plan.  I did.  I was going to run this race with a 5 minute run/1 minute walk ratio that I have been using in my training.  I would also slow to a walk for water stops when they were needed.  Unfortunately, I did what I always do at a race.  I went out too fast.  I ran mile 1 in 10:20.  I didn’t take my walk breaks.  I ran mile 2 in 11:30 – more my pace but still only one walk break.  I ran 17 minutes before I took my first walk break.  I do not think this is a bad thing.  It is just not my original race plan.  I also am okay with changing the race plan during the race to some extent.  That being said, the not taking a walk break until 17 minutes is okay.  The getting caught up in it being a race and going out too fast is not okay as it wears me down towards the end.

I am working on getting a camera – a point and shoot – so I can take photos during my races.  I did not have a camera with me this past Thursday so no photos of mine.  I am going to point you to two sites to see the area and the actual race photos.

Tromptown Races

Bob Brock Images from the race 

1 comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts

2 January 2011

2011 Race Schedule

By Nicki

So I know that most people list “resolutions” at the beginning of a new year.  I have already told you all where I stand on the word resolution.  I will say that some of my 2011 goals – which are in rough form at the moment but will be here soon – involve running.  I can’t imagine my life without running.  To that end, here is my 2011 race schedule to date.

Before I let you see the race plans, let me say I intend to run two marathons, four to five half marathons (five if I have issues and only run one marathon), a hand full of 5Ks and some other races that I just really loved last year.  I am planning on topping out at 1600 miles for the year.

January 2011:   The January Freeze Series hosted by the Triple Cities Runners’ Club will be my only January races.  I am not driving to Cazenovia for the Chili Chilly this year.  I am planning on running at least one, and hopefully more than one, of these 10K races at Otsiningo Park.  I also intend – for me, the girl who swore she would never run a race – to join TCRC this year.

February 2011:  My first marathon is slated for February 19th.  This is a family trip to Myrtle Beach.  Hotel room is booked.  Kids are looking forward to the trip.  Youngest thinks he will bike the day after the marathon, just not sure how far as he doesn’t want to do the 100K ride without someone else doing it with him (don’t even think of looking at me!).

March 2011:  I am going for two races in March. I am going to run the St. Patrick’s 4 miler on March 12th in Binghamton and then travel to Rock Hill for the Celebrate Life Half Marathon.  This is a beautiful race and I fully intend to be there.  There is an outside possibility I will run the Chenango Fork XV at the end of the month but not totally sure on that race yet.

April 2011:  I am running the Skunk Cabbage Half Marathon in Ithaca on April 10th.

May 2011: I am running the Mountain Goat 10 miler the first Sunday of the month.  I am hoping that it is slightly less warm – it was 80 plus at the finish last year – than last year.  I am running the inaugural Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon on May 15th.

June 2011:  I am running the Vestal XX on June 18th.  I am also intending to do the Red Dress Run at the end of the month. The Red Dress Run is a 5K and is held on a weeknight.

July 2011:  I am running the Boilermaker in Utica again.  I loved this race last year, even though it freaked me out to take eight minutes to reach the start line as there were so many people registered and running the race.  I am also hoping Jeanne is putting together a 5K to benefit the Newark Valley High School cross country team.  While I am not a grass runner, I had a blast at this run.

August 2011:  My friend Chris is trying to convince me to participate in the Cayuga Lake Triathlon.  I am not totally sure about this but it is August 7th.  On the running front, I am looking at the Turning Stone half marathon on August 21st.  Last year I did the Catharine Valley Half  which was a trail run sort of.  While it was nice, Turning Stone is just a couple hours away and will help me in reaching my goal of four half marathons this year.

September 2011:  I would love to head to Delaware to run in the Dogfish Dash which is a 10K but I am hoping to run a second marathon in October so will run the Ithaca 5&10 again this month.  This will be a birthday run for me this year.  Can’t think of a better way to turn 50.

October 2011:  I learned a lesson last year when I didn’t register in time to run the Wineglass Marathon that I need to plan ahead.  Unfortunately, I am now torn.  I will run either Wineglass at the beginning of October or will run the inaugural Empire marathon in Syracuse mid-October.  I do have to take into consideration that this is my son’s senior year in high school which may come into which weekend is better for me to be running a marathon.

November 2011:  I will run the Turkey Trot 8K that TCRC has as it benefits the scholarship program they have.  Last year’s Turkey Trot allowed TCRC to give out four $1000 scholarships this year.

December 2011: Again, I will register for the It’s a Wonderful Run 5K.   Hopefully, I will not feel like crap and not go to the race.  I will also run the Y’s Resolution Run at the end of the month as that was fantastic!

10 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts

14 March 2010

My First

By Nicki

Last December I wrote about my first 5K.  Last October about how I had gone from just running for myself to wanting to become a runner.  As you read this, I will be getting to the start line of my first half marathon.  I say first because it is and because I am already registered for my second.

I am nervous – as was evident earlier this week with my post about planning – but I am confident I will finish.  As I did with my first race back in December, I have in my mind a finish time I want to beat.  I have trained hard.  I am sure I can do it.  Should I finish much faster than I anticipate, I will be very happy.  Should I just finish, I will be very happy.

Should you want to know more about this race, please visit its web site.

Look for pictures and a recap on Monday or Tuesday as I recover and begin training again for the next race in a month.

20 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts, Sports

7 March 2010

Nerves Starting

By Nicki

I guess people were anticipating that I would have been nervous about posing naked for a sketching class last weekend.  I have to say that I have always believed that the human body is a work of art.  Sketches are portrayals of that art, through the eye of the artist.  I don’t see a problem with that at all.

Now, I am getting nerves.  I am a planner.  This week is going to be planned to a “T” as in one week  - so next Sunday – I will be running my first half marathon.  You are probably wondering what I could possibly have to plan.  Race registration is paid for; hotel reservation is made.  Yahoo! maps have been employed so I know where I am going.  I realize that Saturday night is the night we lose an hour’s sleep by returning to Daylight Savings Time.

Here is my anal planning and where it is going.  I turned my ankle last Sunday.  I am truly a klutz.  I was simply walking along and hit uneven pavement and that was that – a cut on my knee on one leg, slight hole in my new jeans (probably a part that annoyed me a lot more than the knee or the ankle), and an ankle that is the size of a lacrosse ball when run on or walked on a lot.  So, to be sure I am able to get 13.1 miles out of the ankle on March 14th, I have scheduled my upcoming week to the hour.

I have meal plans figured out for the entire week as I want to be sure I am eating well.  I have my pre-race meal all set and am taking it with me to the hotel.

I have figured time into each day to stretch, to ice my ankle, to do a short run or a quick Pilates workout.  I have work figured into the schedule.  I have everything figured out but still have some nerves.

My nerves stem not taking anyone with me to the race.  I have done a few really long runs – ten miles plus.  Every time I drive shortly after these, the driving is uncomfortable.  I don’t have anyone to ask to go with me.  My running friends do not live close to me or are in the middle of training that is very important.  My daughter has plans for the weekend.  I am going alone.  That brings nerves up for me.

I travel alone all the time.  I don’t know why I am so concerned about this one trip.  I just am nervous about it.  I think I figure if I schedule and plan, I will not get as nervous.  Here’s hoping!

13 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts

25 January 2010

Road Trip – Planning Begins

By Nicki

I am a planner.  Yes, I like to have control.  I admit I like to know where I am going, how I am getting there and what I am doing while I am there.  I don’t have to plan every details but quite a few of them would be good.

So I have a few road trips coming up this spring or late winter as the case may be.  I am going downstate in March for a half marathon.  Running is on Sunday but I am going on Saturday and staying over as it is the weekend that Daylight Savings Time starts so I want to get good sleep that Saturday night.  I am staying at The Lodge at Rock Hill so if you have any ideas in that area, let me know.  I will start looking soon.

Then, I am going to Boston in April.  I have a friend who is running the Boston Marathon and I told him I would be there to see him cross the finish line and I will.  I will have at least Sunday to do some sightseeing, possibly even Saturday and Friday – though that is not totally set in stone yet.  I had a hotel room with a great rate.  I had a friend offer me a room.  Gave up the hotel room and then found the friend was going to be out of town.  I got a room back but not quite as great a rate.  I will be staying in Cambridge Sunday and Monday nights.

By all means, tell me what you would do, where you would go.  Part of my Boston trip will be a write off as I am looking for bookstores for an author to do signings at in the summer.  I can’t wait to be on the road this year.

9 comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Family, Fitness, Just my Thoughts

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