I Am Back! Veteran's Day 5k Dash, November 11, 2009

I have returned to running some races. Last week, I ran a trail race in Saratoga call "Falling Leaves Five Miler" which was actually 4.25 miles. I did okay. I came over the finish line with my time of 43 minutes thinking ..."WOW" I really did good. I found out that the course was shortened and I actually did worse than I thought. I was not very fond of this race because I thought it was not very well organized. I could just be a sore loser because my time was worse than I thought.

Okay. Let's get back to today. I ran this 5k at Shenendehowa. I am a graduate of Shen class of '81. When I was in school I was over weight and never would have thought of running. I smoked and did all of the wrong things on that campus. It is one of those fill circles that I went back today and I am in great shape and could out run alot of those Shen students. It was a very well organized race and I ran 26:53 which I am so very excited about. It was very flat and fast and I can't wait to run that same race again next year. I feel good! After I finished the race, my chest was killing me but that went away soon after. I don't think I am ready for a half marathon right now, but I do feel like there could be one in the spring.

Marathon Training Is Over :( September 4, 09

I have neglected my blog for awhile because I have been just too busy, but I am hoping to update everyone on how my Marathon training is going. Needless to say…It’s over. My training was going very well. I was up to fifteen miles with Kathy. It was hard but we did it with the support of Ed following us with drinks, snacks and encouragement. Then a couple of weeks ago I went out for a six miler on a Thursday morning and the last mile I felt a pain in my right groin. I made it home and thought “this will be gone by Saturday.” I had a race on Saturday that I was looking forward to (Race the Train 8.4 miler) and another on Sunday (Indian Ladder 9.3) that I was also looking forward to. Saturday came and Ed and I headed up to North Creek for the race. We boarded the train and it took us out to the start. I lined up for the race with Ed and off we went. Two miles up a hill to start, I could feel that groin pull the whole time thinking to myself “just let me have this race.” It didn’t happen. I ended up stopping and asking the vehicle that follows the runners for a ride back to the finish. It hurt!! Ed and I headed home and I realized that there would not be any 9.3 miler the next day. I knew, I needed to rest the groin I had a half marathon in Lake George coming up in two weeks. Two days before the half, Ed suggests that I go out for a mile to make sure that my leg is ready. I was feeling some what better but not 100 %. I decided to listen and went out for the mile. I didn’t even make it a half mile and the pain was shooting through my leg. I knew that I was not running that half on Saturday. I was so upset. I went home and called my doctor’s office and got an appointment. I went to the doctor’s and he sent me for a MRI. The MRI shows that I have a stress fracture in my pelvic bone. The cure…REST for 8-12 weeks. No running! I am so disappointed! We had been planning this Marathon since March. I would finish my first marathon with Mel, Laura, Kathy, Ed and Dan by my side. We would all share that amazing feeling together. It just plain STINKS! Ok, my pity party is over..(Ok, not) but it is time for me to move on and support my friends for the rest of there training and that’s what I plan on doing. Ed and I will support them for their long runs when they need us. I will be at that finish line, rooting them on.

VT City Relay Marathon May 23rd, 2009

Where does time go? This weekend we headed off to VT for The VT City Marathon. We did not do the full marathon; We ran the five person relay with Laura, Melanie, Dan and Ed.

The weekend began with a pasta dinner at Joe’s house on Friday evening. A whole bunch of ARE runner's attended. We sat around, ate pasta and chatted on the porch for awhile and then headed home. Saturday our relay team car pooled and headed to Burlington VT. First off to the expo and then to the hotel where we met up with Joe and his crew and a short two in a half mile run. We came back and went to dinner at Junior's and then chilled for the evening. Sunday morning everyone up early and ready to run. We headed off to the start at Battery Park. We met up with all of the other runners from Albany . About 75 Albany Running Exchange runners came to Vt. A lot of these people were running the full marathon. Others running a two person relay, some a three person relay.

Laura was our first runner with a 5k. Off she went at the start. It was a rainy morning, so waiting for our relay team to come in one by one, we began to get cold. Laura came in and handed off to Melanie where Mel went out for a 5.5 mile leg, then Dan with a 6.6 mile leg and then to me. By the time I received the yellow bracelet I was freezing and soaked. All I wanted to do at that point is run to get warm or head back to the hotel and get under the covers, but that was not a choice at the time. My leg was a 5.5 mile leg. I was handed that yellow bracelet and off I went. I felt great running. I left Battery Park and headed up North Ave. Like last year I was amazed that I was running these Streets in Burlington because of my family history in Burlington . I passed the cemetery where my grand mother and many other family members are buried then the North beach entrance where we have camped and swam many times. I ran through my cousin’s old neighborhood and back onto North Ave. I ran past the trailer park we lived in while my dad was serving time in the Air Force in Libya and then by my aunt's old house. What memories! Time flew by for me. There was so much support on the course water stops, music, cheering from by standers, bubbles from young kids, it was so nice. About a mile from my hand off to Ed the sun came out…Awwwwwwwwwww…THE SUN!!! I was so happy to know that the day was going to be sunny. I came up to Flynn school where Ed was waiting for me. The pass and Ed was off. I couldn’t believe that I just ran 5.5 miles. It went so quick and I felt so amazing the whole time, what a good feeling. I waited at that leg for Kathy to finish her leg so we could run back to the finish line and watch our team mates come through the finish line. Our team did a great job with a time of 3:56:07. After the run and we headed back to our hotel and enjoyed the pool and alcohol. Did I say alcohol? The Albany Running Exchange runners took up the whole second floor of the hotel and we had one big party…It was a great weekend!

Prospect Mountain - May 9, 2009

I always think to myself after a run or a race, “what’s next?” I will finish a race and think, “I can’t believe I did that!” Well, this run was the top of all “Oh my Gods!” Let me start with the beginning. Last year I can remember Joe Benny talking about running Prospect Mountain. I can remember thinking he was nuts and that only really good runners could possibly do something like that - not people like me.

Now back to this year. I am training for the Green Mountain Relay on June 20th and my dear sweet boyfriend, who I think wants to kill me, suggested that Prospect Mountain would be a good training run. So, I call my friend Melanie and she is as crazy as myself and says, “Let’s do it!” So we all sign up without putting a lot of thought into it. Before the race, Melanie suggested that we do hill work at the Pinebush. The hills in the Pinebush were amazing. We ran them three weeks in a row and I thought, “Awesome, this is really going to help with Prospect Mountain.”

Okay, are you still following me? While I’m telling you about Prospect Mountain keep the word mountain in mind. On Saturday May 9th, a large contingent of ARE members met up at our apartment and we followed each other up to Lake George. We were all excited about running this race. We went to packet pickup where we received beautiful technical tee shirts. We then left to join all the other runners at the start. While standing at the base of the mountain, Ed, the boyfriend who I think is out to kill me, brings to my attention the beautiful scenery in the distance. He then tells me that is the top of the mountain. At that point I come to realize that I am not running some little hill in the Pinebush. I was running an incredibly huge mountain. That is when I started to think to myself, “Am I nuts?” “How am I going to do that?”

Still somewhat excited, we wandered over to the start line. Everybody around us was talking about their strategy on how they will make it to the top. The gun went off and off we went. The beginning is a slow incline with a little bit of flatness. I’m okay with that so far thinking, “okay I can do this.” Then the climb begins and continues and continues and continues and never stops. At one point I put my hand on my chest and felt my heart pounding so hard that I really do believe that if you were looking straight at me you would be able to see my heart coming out of my chest with every heart beat. I do believe that if my heart was to ever give out, this race would have caused it. I continued to run and the incline still goes on and on. When I typically run I think of so many things like work, my kids, bills, things I want to do, the beauty of the run, Ed and so many more things. This race I thought about the finish. I kept asking myself, “When? When will this be done? When will this Mountain stop? WHEN?” Then it happened, the finish line, the beautiful finish line, and people rooting me on at the end. I was done! I was so thankful to be at the top of this mountain. I was so amazed I accomplished such a thing as climbing a mountain, shucks, running a mountain. I ran up an elevation of 1,601 feet.

After everybody I came with finished the race, I took in the beauty of this mountain. You could look down over Lake George. It was very foggy but still beautiful. What a fantastic sight. Okay, here’s a question for you. What do you do when you climb 5.68 miles up a mountain? The answer ...you turn around and run back down and that’s just what we did!

Marathon Training Begins! - May 3, 2009

The Training begins! On Saturday evening Mel, Dan, Laura and Kathy came over for our first MCM team meeting. Ed and I made dinner and were ready to make out our training schedule. Mel brought all of her Marathon training books and her thoughts on what we should do to train and when to start. Dan and Ed got the calendar out and began writing down the mileage for each long run we should have. We have decided to run our own mileage on the weekdays and on the weekend we will get together for our long run. We will pull each other through the pain we will endure on our long runs. We will support each other when it hurts the most.

We decided on a 26 week training starting April 27th finishing Marathon weekend October 25th. We decided to start our training at 10 miles since we felt that we could all handle 10 miles to start. We also decided that we would get up on Sunday (the following morning) and do our first 10 miler from Thatcher Park to Tollgate Ice cream in Delmar, and so we did.

Sunday morning we headed up to Thatcher Park to meet up with our team. Ed decided to drive a support vehicle instead of running due to a sore knee, and boy was I glad to see him every three miles with water. Having someone following us with water is a huge bonus. We ran down Thatcher hill and then up some hills and back down. We came to a couple of killer hills on Rt 85 but we nailed them. We began our training and were all thrilled that we did our first 10 miler together.

St. John's / St. Ann's Spring Run Off - Apr. 25, 2009

Another 10k! I still blow my own mind that I am running 10k’s … Shucks … (running period!) This 10k was a fundraiser for St. John’s/St. Ann's church in Albany . The night before the race the church hosted a pasta dinner. Ed and I met up with Laura, Dan, Mel, Greg and his wife Debbie. We enjoyed the pasta and the wonderful company and then home we went. Saturday morning we were off to Albany for the race. The race was down at the Corning Preserve in Albany . It was an up and back race. Meaning you run half way and turn around and come back. It was a very flat, fast course. It was the most beautiful day of the season so far. A perfect day! I ran pretty good. I felt pretty good. I did pretty good! I did have a personal best of 53:47. After the race we decided to go out and do a cool down of another 3.1 miles ... yes, I did a cool down of 3.1 miles. I laugh sometimes about the things I do now that I would never had imagined ever doing before.

Dodge the Deer - April 19, 2009

What can I say about Dodge The Deer? Incredible? Fun? Amazing? Let me start with the weekend as a whole. First Friday night, Ed and I went over to Josh and Sara’s for a mass production of DTD cookie making. We went over to meet up with about fifteen other women to make cookies for the winners of the race. We made squirrels, deer’s, chipmunks and other cute characters. Did I say we? I meant all the other women and myself. All of the men went into the computer room to prepare for the race …NOT!! They were all just watching videos and talking about other races and making each other laugh. Anyway, we (the women) made about 150-200 cookies.

Saturday, Ed and I took a ride out to Schodack State Park to help Josh with setting up for Dodge the Deer. It was a very nice day. We helped set up the finish line area and the start area. After setting up Ed and I took a run of the course with another Josh.

Sunday Morning, We were up bright and early. We volunteered at the registration area for the race. I am not completely sure but I think close to 500 people ran this race. It is a 5k trail run through Schodack State Park followed with a cook out and great company. The race started at 10:00 am so at about 9:45 we got ourselves ready to run. Ed and I met up with some other people and the race began. I really like this run, I felt great the whole run. I felt strong and loved running on the trails. It was a very good run. I beat my time again from last year and that is always a plus for me. I would definitely race the Dodge The Deer again.

Signing On For A Marathon..........April 15th, 2009

Ok....I did it! I have signed up for a Marathon. Not just any Marathon, but The Marine Corp Marathon on October 25th, 2009 in Washington DC. How did I feel when Ed told me that we were registered? I felt a pit in my stomach and thought "I could throw up"......I am amazed that I am going to do it. I am very lucky though because I have other people who will be with me along the way to train they are...
Of course my SB Ed- This will be his second marathon.........
Melanie- Her first and she is also the person who truly talked me into it.....
Kathy- Her first and I talked her into it....
Laura- Mel and I talked her into it......more or less begged.....
Dan-He is the pro...I think he has ran five or so but loves Mel enough to do another....

Our plan is to run 3-5 miles on the weekdays and do all of our long runs as a group on weekends....I plan on blogging the whole training and marathon....STAY TUNED!

Delmar Dash April 5, 2009

The Delmar Dash is such a nice five miler. I ran this race last year, so my plan was to go out and beat my time of 44:16. I went out pretty strong but, it was another one of those races that I thought..."not feeling it" and no way did I believe that I could beat my time. Around mile three I started feeling pretty good. I think I needed that three mile warm up. ( Did I just say I needed a warm up?) I started to kick it up a notch and by the time I hit five I felt great. I came around the corner to the finish line and saw this younger women in front of me a decided I needed to beat her and I passed her right at the finish...I did beat my time....44:16...Competitive? Me? Yep!

Mudders and Grunters - March 29, 2009

Another “Oh my God, I did that run?!” I say that because it was crazy! We headed down to FDR State Park in Lincoln NY for our first trail run of the season. We were told that it was nuts and it was. It was a five mile trail run through streams and mud knee deep at times. At one point of this race we actually had to jump into a part of a stream that was up past my rib cage. (That was freaky) It was so much fun but so dangerous. I’m always amazed with myself that I come out of these without a broken bone. Ed and I drove down with Mel, Dan & Laura. When we got there, we met up with our ARE buddies. After the race we headed back to Albany and stopped off for lunch. Boy, I love ARE and trail running...

Shamrock Half Marathon - March 22, 2009

My second half marathon! I never thought I would say I ran one, much less two. I ran The Shamrock Half in Virginia Beach. Ed surprised me with the race and trip as a Christmas gift. I was so excited!

Let me start with our trip. We left Albany hoping for beautiful weather. Winter this year has been long and cold. Well, to our surprise we hit a snow storm on the border of New York and New Jersey. Let me tell you the snow flakes were very large, larger than any snow flake I witnessed the whole winter. The snow was sticking to the trees and visibility was getting rough but we were both very excited about arriving in VB to warmer weather and our half that some snow could not discourage us. As we drove through New Jersey entering Delaware the sun began to shine and things were looking hopeful. We both loved the ride through the different states, Delaware, Maryland and then finally into Virginia. We were finally at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. We unloaded and then off to the Expo. We both were excited about seeing what our half marathon shirts would look like much less all of the other things there would be at the expo. We got our shirts and bought up some of the merchandise and then started back to the hotel when we both heard a strange noise coming from the car. We stopped and found out that we picked up a rock in one of our tires that was sharp enough to flatten the tire. After a quick change, we headed out to get dinner and then a walk and back to our room.

Saturday morning was the 8k run, so Ed and I headed out to watch that race and root people on. Following the 8k there was a children's run and other activities for the 8k runners. We walked around and headed to Fort Story. Fort Story is a Army base in Virginia Beach that houses two beautiful light houses. One of the light houses can be toured, all you have to do is walk up 191 steps..(good thing to do before a half marathon,) but of course we did it. It was beautiful looking over the ocean ... what a peace of mind you get looking at such beauty. We walked around base and then went to eat (pasta) and then to a local market to get our race day breakfast food(oatmeal, bananas and a bagel) and then back to our room to get ready for our big race day. We both slept very good Saturday night and were up very early Sunday morning. The race started at 7 am. We were able to sneak a peek of the moon and the stars over the ocean from our room while getting ready. The Cavalier is located at the start of the half marathon so we watched people arriving from our room. We could hear the music from the announcer stand and really started getting pumped about our race. It was time to head out to the race. This was the first race that I ran where they actually had corrals. A corral is when they start the runners in different groups according to their race pace. I was in the green coral and Ed in the blue. We said our goodbyes which I hated separating and off we were into our corrals. There were so many people that you could not help but get more excited about the race. They had the National Anthem and helicopters flew over (I think it was the local news people) and the start of the race.

My first mile I was amazed how fast it came, so many people hollering and rooting us on. It was very cool! The next two miles went fast with a beer stop and some water/gatorade stops. Things felt great as I ran more distance. We turned into the Army base (Fort Story) and more people hooting us on and another water stop. It was probably around mile seven I started feeling alittle sore but ok. I remember hearing waves from the ocean and thinking how totally awesome that was and seeing the two light houses on base. I loved that. Leaving the Army base, again so many people rooting us on, what a good feeling. I forgot to mention along the way there was a band and many DJ's. That's when I saw the beer stop again and thought "should I?" the answer " NO" I would have thrown up. But I wanted to just because Yuengling Beer was the sponsor...But I think I made the right decision...I continued on not seeing many more mile markers. That's the way I like it, not counting how many more miles I have to go. Finally I heard someone yell out " one mile to go" Boy was I thrilled to hear that but also amazed that the end was near and I was still feeling pretty good for running twelve miles. We headed to the board walk and the ocean once again..Loved that! and the into the finish line. So many people were at the finish line, so many people cheering us on, it was so cool! At the finish line they handed out lunch bags with the Yuengling beer emblem on it. In the bag was four beer coupons, a beer cup and some snacks. We also received an 13.1 finisher hat and medal at the finish. After the race we were off to the finishers tent for one big party. They served Irish Stew, all the beer you could drink and they had a rock band to dance to and of course Ed and I took them up on that. We danced and took up the day as much as possible before passing out on the beach enjoying the beautiful sun. What a great day!

March 8th, 2009

I want to bring you up to date on what's going on. I am training for my half marathon in Virginia Beach on March 22. I have been running many short runs on weekdays (4-5 miles) But on weekends I have been doing my 10 mile runs with so many fun, wonderful people. Ed and I have been hosting 5-10 mile runs out of our place on Saturday's and last weekend I met up with Joe Benny's group for a long run and some pancakes out of his Albany home. I think I am ready for my half in Virginia. Yes, I am ready! Think about me and Ed on March 22nd at 7:00 am. Hope for good weather....I will keep you updated on how we did.

The Runnin' of the Green (Island)

March 7, 2009

Winter is finally coming to a end and racing season is beginning. The Runnin Of The Green is one of the first official races of the season. I ran this race last year with Elaine and Monique and loved it. This year I ran it with so many more people I have met over the last year. I still love this one. Last years time was 36:04, so I went out wanting so bad to beat last years time. The week following I was sick with a cold and still on that morning I was very congested but wanting to run. I went out at a good pace. I went out chatting up a storm with Denise and Kathy. I felt great! I came to mile three and thought..."I'm going to die"....It really got tough. I was coming to the finish, ahead of Kathy, Ed was yelling to me "Rox give it your all" and I felt myself fizzle right there. I saw Kathy fly past me as fast as she could and over the finish line she went. She beat me by a second. I was so glad that I was finished...It was a great race, a great run and I did beat my time from last year...34:56 baby....that's right!

HMRRC Winter Series Race # 5

February 8, 2009

10 miles, Yep! 10 miles.... I followed through and ran the 10 miler. I was not sure if I would but once I signed up I was obligated..at least in my head I was. The beginning of the run I felt great. I thought this would be an easy one and it pretty much was until the last two miles. I started to feel a little sore. I started talking to myself like the little train...I think I can, I think I can and guess what..I did!!! What's next? Alot of long runs on the weekends and then my second half in Virginia Beach the end of March...I can't wait!

Winter Series # 4 January 25th, 2009

Another Sunday of HMRRC winter series. Every week increases the mileage of how much you can run and this week you could run 3 miles, 9.3 miles or 25 miles. I surely was not running 25 miles and 3 miles was not enough so I went for the 9.3. Let me start with telling you that it was cold! It was 8 degrees when the race started. My first thought was "oh my god my face is freezing!"But believe it or not that thought left my head shortly after running. I felt good my whole run. You really do warm up when you get running. I actually enjoyed my run the whole time. I am really trying to increase my miles every week so I can be ready for my half marathon in March. I can't wait to get to Virginia Beach and run that. Winter Series 5- 10 miles!! wish me luck.........

Brave The Blizzard 2009

My first time in snow shoes and it was a 3.90 mile race. I heard snow shoeing was fun but running in them..........MAJOR WORK! ARE hosted their 5th annual Brave the Blizzard snow shoe race. Being the crazy, stupid, adventurous person that I am, I signed up. The first two minutes into the race, I thought, what am I doing? I will never be able to finish this race! My heart was pounding and my legs were already sore. I slowed down a little and went up the first hill and walked a few minutes. Caught my breath and started finding it easier to run on the packed trails. A 1/4 of the mile into the race I found a partner to pace with which made it so much easier. It was so pretty in the woods. The snow was falling and the pine trees looked beautiful covered in snow. Very spiritual! Finally feeling good. Breathing back to normal, amazed that I wasn't dead, the finish was in sight. Coming down the last hill I could hear people rooting me on ... especially Ed who was working the finish line for ARE. I came though just under an hour. What an experience. Every race has food. This one had all you can eat pancakes - all flavors. And after that workout, I tried them all! NO GUILT!!!

Winter Series # 3, January 11, 2009

I can't believe the HMRRC Winter Series # 3 is already over. Today you could run a 5k, 10k or 25k. I chose to run the 10k (6.2 miles) First let me tell you that we woke up to about seven inches of snow. Your first thought is, what is the course going to look like? Second thought is, are they going to cancel? Then you remember...they are as crazy as we are that we were still planning on going. Now, let me tell you that Ed was the co-director of this race. This was his first time being a co-director and he did an awesome job. Having one of the directors living with you, your able to find out the scoop early on. Race On!! I left for SUNY a little early to help out. I got there and the crowd started coming in. We went out to the start line and off we went. (Did I tell you that it was about 18 degrees?) I felt good right from the beginning. The course looked great. We ran through the State Office Campus and back into SUNY. The run was a good one with only one little concern..My stupid bunion was a little sore but otherwise another great run! Next winter series - a15k (OUCH!!)

Winter Wimp January 10th, 2009

The Winter Wimp in Hagaman has to be one of my favorite races. It is a 2.2 or a 4.4 mile race. If you do the 2.2 you are considered to have wimped out. Of course I did the 4.4. I like this race because it is a small home town race with some of the nicest people. You run through a small village with a little creek running through it. It's one of those place where everyone knows everyone. I would love to live in that kind of community. I think?? Anyway, I felt incredible after the first mile. ( I think I need a mile to warm up sometimes) I got very competitive during the race when I caught the look of two other women running. I thought to myself...They look like they could be in the same age category as me, I need to step it up and kick butt. They would pass me on the downhills and I would get them on the up hills. Finally the finish line in sight and I gave it my all. I left them in the dust. Plus, I passed a young kid and that made me feel good..(LOL) I felt wonderful at the end!!! After the race the FMRRC put on a wonderful refreshment area. They had pizza, soup, subs and the regulars. Ed, whom I like to refer to as my coach/trainer went over the race results and told me he thought I took a trophy. They gave out the awards and sure enough..I took a beautiful trophy (second place) for my age category. YEAH ME!!

Albany Winterfest Last Run 5K December 27th, 2008

21/114 Roxanne 45 F Schenectady NY 28:05 9:03

I ran Albany's Winter Fest again this year.. Albany really puts on a wonderful event with their shows and fireworks and then the 5k run. I did a quick warm up with a couple of ARE friends and then we watched a wonderful firework display and off we went. I started out alittle slow, but then caught my breath and had a good run. The lights and displays in Washington Park are just beautiful. You really want to take them in while running. I was hoping to be running with Ed but he was temporarily out while his foot was healing. When I came to the finish line I truly wanted to throw up. I have not felt like that in a while. Someone told me that if you don't feel that way at the end you didn't give it your all. I wonder if that's true? After the race they gave out some great refreshments then off we went to Legends Bar to grab something to eat. When we finished eating we took off to Lark Tavern for some drinks with our ARE buddies. We had a great night!

Winter Series #2 - New Year's Day 2009

The winter series #2 was a choice between a 3.5 mile run or a half marathon. I'm not crazy, I did the 3.5! The temperature was extremely cold - around 8 degrees. We went to SUNY and met up with Dan and Mel and the gang. Ran slow in the beginning and picked it up middle to end. Felt great the whole run and was surprised to see the finish when I did. Beat my time from last year. Good run.

Oh, Ed did run this race. He's recovering from a foot injury and he surprised us all when he went out and did the 3.5 too.

My 2009 Resolutions

I can not believe that a whole year has gone by and that we will be bringing in another year soon. I am lucky enough to say that I did accomplish all of my 2008 resolutions and am hoping to stick to my 2009 resolutions. My 2009 resolutions are:
* I will run another half marathon in March in Virginia Beach
* I will run a two hundred miler relay through Vermont in June
* I will run the Vermont City Relay with Ed, Mel, Laura, Dan and myself.
* I will do a triathlon this year.
* I will.......... Drum Roll Please-------------------Run a Marathon!!!! ( 26.2 miles)
* I will run 1000 miles for the year.......
I hope that next year at this time, I am lucky enough to say that I accomplished all of my 2009 goals.....Wish me luck!!!

December 20th, 2008 (ARE Banquet)

What a magical night! So much to say. First my dress. I bought a beautiful little ( Size 4) dress. I have never had a little black dress before. When you are a size 18, you don't wear little black dresses. I loved the idea of having this dress. I went and had my nails and my hair done too. I went all out for this special night and I felt so good, so beautiful! Ed booked us a room at the Best Western Hotel so we could enjoy our night with no worries since the banquet was at the hotel. We went to the banquet and met up with all of our running buds. Everyone looked so amazing. Usually they are in running gear with hair in ponytails and sweaty. Tonight was the running ball! The night began with good food and awards. Awards! I was the Grand Prix Trail Running winner for my age category. Yes, me, the person who would have never thought of running three years ago - A GRAND PRIX WINNER! What does that mean? All summer I did trail running. When you trail run through Albany Running Exchange you earn points for your finishes. I just happened to earn enough points that I took first for my age category (40-49). The winner took home a back pack with ARE Grand Prix Winner on it, a running shirt with the same logo, socks and a bottle of wine with my name and the same logo. Great prizes that I will cherish forever. After the awards, the music began. What can I say, I have the absolute best dancing partner in the world. Ed will dance every dance with me. We danced so much that our beautiful clothing started to look like our running gear with all the sweat dripping off. My beautiful curls were gone. We danced the whole night! We had so much fun. After the banquet was over we were invited back to Deb and Gary's room for an after party, party. Then off to our room we went and enjoyed one more very small party for two. What a great night!

December 20th, 2008 10 miler

A very cold Saturday morning. The morning after a snow storm that still continued to flurry. I lost my mind! Melanie and I met up at 9:15 am with a group of other people to run from Tollgate Ice cream Parlor in Delmar to Thacher State Park (10 Miles). Ed was in a support vehicle just in case we were killed by a snowplow or froze to death. He also carried water and snacks for us and another group that left SUNY to do a 15 miler. We were all to meet up at Thacher Park. The run started out slow, but once Mel and I got going we did well. We came to the LARGE hill at Thacher and then all the way to the entrance of the park. We had ice on our hair and our faces when we got to the top. Once at the top, Ed picked us up in the car and I looked in the mirror at my extremely red face and thought ... oh shit! ... tonight is the banquet. Ed and others tried to convince me that my face would stay red all night long, but it didn't. THANK GOD!

HMRRC Winter Series Race #1 of 5

Sunday Morning and I find myself getting ready for another year of Winter Series. I went over to SUNY and met up with Melanie and Dan. We decided to run the three mile loop twice instead of the 15k. The first three went very smooth. We came in and recorded our time and persuaded Dan to come with us for another three and off we went. Dan complained that he was missing the cookies and should have never came out with us a second time. (Don't worry, Dan got his cookies) It was great to see all of our running buddies again. Another good run!!

ARE Adventure Race

December 6, 2008

Albany Running Exchange hosted a race up at Dippen Kill. This is the same location that the Froogy Five was held. I thought the Froggy Five was a tough race, will.......I haven't seen nothing yet! The mileage was never told by ARE. They kept you guessing. They advertised $10.00 and you can dance with the Devil. They were not kidding. Arriving up at Dippen Kill we discovered three inches of snow. ( Remember, this is a trail run) After checking in and signing a waiver stating that we might die and nobody can sue ARE, we were off and running. I think the the first 2 in a half miles were straight up hill. We climbed boulders, we ran over frozen ponds, we had tree limbs smacking us in the face over and over again. THEN, we had to climb a cliff! Straight up with one rope to share for all...I looked up and was wondering how the heck I was ever going to get up that cliff. I did have alittle help from some of the ARE members with a good push on my butt and up I went. Oh my god, it was amazing. We ran through the most beautiful scenery, breath taking ponds and forest. The Adirondacks are just beautiful! We finally came to the finish. It was a outstanding race. I did dance with the Devil, but I won!

Troy Turkey Trot....November 27th, 2008

I have made it full circle! My first official race and my first 5K was the Troy Turkey Trot one year ago. My 2007 time was 29:28. I have ran so much since that race that I was hoping to go out and run a 25: something. Ed suggested that I start up near the front to get a good start time so I did. Now let me tell you that I was so close to the start that I was toeing the line with 4300 people behind me. Not a good feeling!!! I did get right up front like he suggested..( I also thought it was a great idea) then they told everyone to move back alittle so they did...that ended it for me toeing the line with three rows of people be ahead of me. The official starters continued to tell people to push back which left me and others being totally squashed. I got a very nervous feeling. I could be trampled at any time. Finally the start! I went out strong and fast to get away from the crowd...(remember 4300 people or more) You really don't get away from that many people with those kind of numbers, but I felt more comfortable after a few minutes into the race. I really never got myself together enough that I felt good during running. I felt exhausted by the second mile - not a good run! I did finish with a personal best for the turkey trot with a time of 27:32, but definitely not what I wanted. I have decided that next year I will be running another 5k on Thanksgiving...way to many people at the turkey trot.

November 9, 2008 33rd Annual Stockade-athon

This was my first road 15K. I have completed two trail 15K's. The weekend started with an Expo on Saturday at Proctor's in Schenectady where Ed & I worked the HMRRC booth for an hour. Then we got a chance to check out all the booths at the Expo. Ed was the refreshment coordinator for the Stockade-athon so he had a lot on his shoulders. This race is very well known for having good food after the race and Ed kept that reputation going for another year. I ran again with my running buddy Mel. With a crowd close to 1200, I ended up losing her right before the start. I was excited running this race in Schenectady because of the route. I ran through the Stockade section of Schenectady which is just beautiful. Older row houses along the Mohawk River. Then, off through a very large hill on State Street that I was not looking forward to and then through Vail Cemetery which has alot of older, historical plots. I felt very good through most of the run, until, the last mile. I have no idea how I finished this race. I felt awful at the end and just wanted to start crying at the end. I really believe that if Melanie wasn't with me I would have walked into the finish line. After the race, all of the people that volunteered were invited to a party at Fireside on Eastern Ave. My time was 1:25:52.... I rock!!

10/26: ARE's Squirrelly Six Mile

On Sunday October 26th 2008, I went out for another race. Every time I race I think WOW that was fun, but this time I thought "Oh my god was that crazy, fun, ridiculous, absurd, outrageous" There really is no one word to describe the excitement I had for this run. Sometimes I think " Roxanne, your forty-five what the hell are you doing?" Then , I realize "I'm enjoying life!" We started the day very early...(5:30) eating breakfast and getting Ed in his vampire makeup. We headed up to Thatcher State Park to help out with registration. People started coming in dressed up as Scarecrows, Tin Men, Dorothy, Frogs, Witches, 80's girls, Gorillas, Chainsaw man, Brides, of course a Squirrel and many other strange characters. As race time came closer, I started to prepare. I changed out of my winter coat and sweat pants into my shorts. I did a short warm up run, then got ready for the start. Walking to the start, Ed told me to toe the line. What does that mean you ask? You actually get to the front and put your toes on the start line. So I did....(LOL)
Ok.....now lets talk about Josh. Josh is the founder of Albany Running Exchange. He is an amazing machine...I call him a machine because he never stops amazing me. He is a computer teacher, a runner, a dancer, and just a jack of all traits. He makes every ARE event something you want to be apart of. (Back to the race) He did this incrediable start song and then off we went. I laughed in the beginning...remember, I was toeing the line. All of the fast, young runners went by me in a flash...Within the first mile of this run I was soaked. Yep, soaked! We ran through puddles that came up past my knees. My first intial thought was "Oh my god , my toes are frooze." then, they would warm up. I ran through other large puddles and so much mud. As we ran creatures jumped out and scared us. We ran up very large hills (which I walked up) and then through more mud and puddles. (toes freezing again) When you are tring not to fall in mud you use different muscles that you don't normally use when running. Then we came to the finish line...at the finish line there were many people waiting for their runner's to come in, including our own Gorilla...(Frank) Once we finished, off we went to a fabulous cookout and prizes. We also got to enjoy the beautiful day with people we have have meant through running. What an awesome day...Thanks Josh!

Marine Corps Half Marathon - October 12, 2008

I did it!

Let's start with the preparation of the half marathon on Saturday. Saturday afternoon Ed and I helped with the registration and packet pick up at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Albany. That's when the excitement really started to sink in. Watching all these marathoners (about 650) and half marathoners (over 700) from all over the country coming in to pick up their packets. And I was one of them! Saturday evening, Ed and I met Melanie and Dan out for a pasta dinner at PizzaGram restaurant. We talked about the half and other races we've done or would like to do. Had a great evening and then after picking out our running clothes we went to bed. Surprisingly, I was able to get to bed early and had a good nights sleep.

Woke up Sunday morning, nervous and sick to my stomach not believing I was going to run 13.1 miles. Had my routine oatmeal and banana and packed my G2 and GU and a bagel for the road. Went to the Crowne Plaza to catch the bus to the starting line. While I was waiting, I had a cup of coffee as we watched all the other runners come in and getting ready for their big run.

Arriving at Colonie Town Park, the starting line, we met up with a lot of our running friends. Temperature was 44 degrees and we chatted, did bathroom runs and tried to keep warm while waiting for the start. The start was a quick airhorn and off I went.

The first 2.5 miles I felt incredible. Better than I have ever felt in the beginning of a run. Like I was built to run. After that, it became a little more strenuous but at a good comfort level for me. Running the bike path to Cohoes was nice and colorful with the tree leaves turning. Then I hit the Cohoes and Watervliet stretch with a couple of great downhills and water stops. My mom and my oldest son Donald were there rooting me on, taking my picture and providing me with a much needed water.

Felt good heading into the Corning Preserve, the last 4.75 miles of the run. I always thought I would like this stretch the most - running along the Hudson. This time, I found it almost boring because I was starting to feel it. I came across the 11 mile marker and that's when I had to tell myself that I could do it. I was hurting. My quads ached and my left foot hurt and it would have been easy to talk myself into walking but I didn't give up. I got to one point where I knew I was closing in on the finish and I got a second wind.

As I entered the last 2/10 of a mile, my adrenaline kicked in and I was determined to finish strong. I saw the finish and I saw another runner in front of me and I wanted to pass her before the finish line. I did and I came in under 2 hours at 1:57:49 !!!!!!!!!!!! I would've never expected to finish under 2:15. What an accomplishment.

Now that I have accomplished all of my 2008 goals, I am brainstorming on what's next. Got any ideas out there? I need a good challenge.

Getting Ready for my last New Years Resolution..

October 7, 2008

Ok... I have been slacking on my blog...not updating everyone on my training for my Half Marathon, which is coming up this Sunday October 12th. Well, I am running it and I am pretty sure I am ready. Ed and I have been running 4-5 miles two days a week and running 10-11 miles on weekends. We have followed the regimen since August. How do I feel you ask? Well, I feel sick to my stomach just typing this...I am so excited that I am capable of running 13.1 miles but on other hand it is so scary thinking I have only gotten up to 11 miles and I have 2.1 to go. The race starts at Colonie Town Park at 8:30 am and ends at The Corning Preserve. My goal.....TO FINISH! and have fun running it. Wish me luck...

Cape Cod Running..... September 19-22, 2008

Ed and I took a vacation out to The Cape. We rented a house in Dennis. It was beautiful! We were a short walk from the ocean although a quick run. While in the Cape we ran a couple of times. We did one of our long runs (10 miles) along the ocean. We also ran a four miler the next day. People who can run along the ocean any time they want are the luckiest people in the world. What a peace of mind you get while running. We had such a incredible time.

SEFCU Labor Day 5K September 1, 2008

This is a 5k where they were giving an ipod to every 20th finisher. I can't remember how many people ran this race, but let me tell you it was alot! I went out pretty quick and felt pretty good. As I rounded the 2 1/2 mile mark, I started pooping out....(I should know better to not start out so fast) I finished the race with the time of 27:59. Still not a personal best. SOMEDAY.....Oh yeah...I did not win an ipod either...

Pictured are Josh, Ed, Myself & Marilyn

August 7th, 2008 Gall Bladder Surgery

After my 9.3 mile run on Sunday, I came home feeling wore out. More than usual, as the day continued I became sicker and sicker running a temp and feeling flu like symptoms. I went to bed and woke up Monday feeling the same but again as the day went on I got worse. I went to the doctor's and was told I had a 48 hour bug. Tuesday morning I actually got up and went to work. Big Mistake!! I came home feeling worse than before...burning up. Ed took me back to the doctor's and they drew blood and sent me on my merry way still running a temp of 103.9. On Wednesday morning enough was enough, so I asked Ed to take me to the emergency room. To my surprise I needed to have my Gall Bladder removed. Who would have thought? No symptoms ever before. My thought was....."How long would I be with out running???" (This is the sicko in me....) "I am planning on running the half marathon in October...." GREAT! Will less than two weeks after my surgery, I am back to running. It is alittle tough but I am going slow and I will run that half in October!!

Thacher Park Trail Run.....August 3rd, 2008

Hudson Mohawk Road Runner's Club 9.3 mile Trail Run was an incredible run for me. I was so ready for this one. I was pumped! We ran through mud, small flooded areas, up extremely muddy hills and beautiful trails. I ran with my newest running buddy Melanie. We had fun running together, although, she went back out and ran another 3.5 miles. (CRAZY!!!) After the run we all enjoyed a BBQ picnic of chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs. After the picnic the drama began....read next blog entry....

ARE Summer Trail Run, July 24th

ARE has their Thursday night trail runs no matter what! Rain or shine...Mud or swamp....Ed and I headed up to this run after a steady down pour in the afternoon. We knew the course could be alittle muddy. Mud? Who cares...We took that run on..It was a blast! We ran through mud and we ran through swampy conditions. we took time out for some good old fashion mud fights. Alittle scrap on the knee and another fun night of running....

July 20, 2008 - Dippikill Froggy Five Miler

Dippikill Froggy Five Miler....

was the hardest thing I have ever done! This was a trail run that was very technical..Put it this way, I ran up boulders...Yep. HUGE rocks. I also ran down very steep hills twisting my ankle alittle. No falls this time! It was incredible...We ran with The Albany Running Exchange. They had the run following three days of trail running camp that I did not go to. I will next year though. It sounded like they had a great time. When the race started we were told to come back with a frog. I had no clue as to where I was going to find a frog and if I did how the heck I was going to carry it out of the woods..to my amazement, just before the finish, there were frogs all over the ground. Stuffed frogs...but frogs. Another fun run with The Albany Running Exchange.

ValleyCats 5K Home Run - June 21, 2008

Take me out to the ball park! Take me out to the crowd ... This race began and ended at the home of the ValleyCats, a local baseball team that plays at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College. Another hot, sunny day and I was trying once again to beat my 5K personal best. Started out strong but had a hard time catching my breath. Well, as you can probably tell, I didn't beat my 26:46 time although I had a good run in 27:50 and a great time afterwards with hot dogs, popcorn, watermelon, ValleyCat cookies and great people.

Summer Solstice Trail Run - June 18

ARE Crew after the Summer Solstice
Although not on my goal list for the year, I completed my first 15K (that's 9.3 miles!) I went down to the race in a van with Albany Running Exchange members. My finish came with a cost. It was an evening trail run near New Paltz, NY and about 3 miles in, which was all up hill, I took my eye off the trail for the spectacular view and fell face first onto the rocks of the trail. Ouch! My nose was cut, my eye was swollen, I had a lump on my forehead and my knee was scraped bad. But I finished in 94:09! Great race. Beautiful. Would highly recommend it. Just don't take your eyes off the trail! Next race - the ValleyCats 5K Home Run

HMRRC Father's Day 5k

June 15, 2008

I decided last minute to race The Father's Day race at The Crossings. I feel like I have been slowing down a little so I thought it would be a good opportunity to see if I was right and guess what? I was right!! My 5 k time was 28:44...my worst 5k time so far. Not sure why, although it was a very hot day with no shade. I was not very pleased. I will be racing The Valley Cats 5k on June 21 st so I'll see if I can improve then.

HMRRC Distinguished Service Award

37 th Annual HMRRC Distinguished Service Race 8-Miles Albany, NY June 08, 2008 9:00 am Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees

What can I say about this run? I went out ready to run 8 miles. I was warned not to do it because of the heat, but of course I was not going to listen. I am a tough chick, the heat will not bother me....WRONG!!! I ran 4 miles of the 8 and came to my senses...I decided I like life enough that I didn't want to kill myself. Oh my god it was hot!!! Never again in that kind of heat.

Wednesday Night Running Group....June 4, 2008

Our Wednesday night running group is the best! This Wednesday we got together and ran 3-4 miles and then had a potluck picnic. Susan, Suzanne, Tina, Marilyn W, Marilyn, Ellen, Kelly and myself were there. We had such a nice time. We are such a great group of ladies! Next time we get drunk...LOL...No pictures this time..

Vermont City Marathon...Burlington VT...May 25, 2008

I was asked by Debbie Robinson if I would take her place for The Vt City Marathon Relay. Debbie injured her knee and will be having surgery on it in June. I was thrilled to death that she asked me to take her place. I wanted to run this relay but didn't think it was a good time due to my move. Things worked out and I was able to go. I ran with four of the nicest ladies. I only did the 5k part of the relay. I couldn't believe I was running through Burlington. Burlington has so much history with my family that I had a feeling of WOW! while running....We went up the day before and walked Church Street. That evening, Albany Running Group had a pasta dinner for the runners at a local restaurant. We stayed at a Main Stay Hotel on Shelburne Rd. The next morning we joined all of the People from Albany Running Group at Battery Park. The race began at 8:05 am. After the race ARE had a tent set up for their members at Memorial Park. We lounged around for 4-6 hours waiting for the Marathoner's to come in and relaxed with them. We had a blast.......

Hot Moms- (Roxanne Wunsch -3.1 miles, Linda Cure -5.6 miles, Mary Dewey- 6.4 miles, Linda Hayen - 5.5 miles, Alison Rhodes-Devey-5.6 miles) 4:00:35- complete time.

ARE STRS- May 22, 2008

Albany Running Exchange is a local running group. They are a great group of people who love to have fun and are very supportive of their running friends. They kicked off there Summer Running series May 22 with a cookout after. The run was a 3.1 loop that you could do as many as you wanted. Of course I only ran one loop and went right for the food....."My mama didn't raise no fool....."

The GHI Workforce Team Challenge, May 15 2008

GHI was so much fun! In order to run this race you had to be part of a team from where you are employed. I am working part time at the YMCA so I ran with that team. It was a very nice night. the race took place at 6:25 in the evening and was 3.5 miles. There were 7,186 people running. It was crazy. The first 22 seconds of the race you were walking and then it was a slow run until people started to scatter. The race started at The Empire State Plaza in Albany. It was one of the funest runs I have had so far. After the run the YMCA put on a little dinner for the employees that ran.

May 7, 2008 Craig Ryder 5k run at The Crossings

Roxanne 45 F Rotterdam NY 26:46 8:37

Our Wednesday night running group entered a 5k race this week. The race was The Craig Ryder 5k for The American Cancer Society. We had great support from our running group. We had some new 5k runner's like Lisa & Mike then we had some new Wednesday night runners like Ed & John & Mike. Then, the regulars. We has such a good time. The weather was alittle overcast but in the 70's. I beat my personal best with the time of 26:46. I ran a 8:37 pace. Our group is so great!

April 30th, 2008 Wednesday Night Running Group

Another great Wednesday night....Again some new people and some of the same. Susan, Tina and Suzanne went crazy running this week doing 6.74 miles, I did 5.5 and others did 2-4. Next week some of us will be running the Craig Ryder 5k race at The Crossings and some of us will be running the regular run.

20th Bill Robinson Master's Championship 10K..Guilderland NY

One Of My 2008 Goals!

I ran 6.2 miles !!! Yep...6.2. This was a huge goal of mine.

I had a great run. The weather was perfect although when I first got up it was pouring rain and my thoughts were oh s... but then the sun came out and it was beautiful. I felt great the whole run. The first 5k went very smooth then we turned around and had a huge hill to conquer and it killed me. When I got to the top of that hill I caught my breath and went for it. My time was 55:38. I amazed myself! I took a third place finish for my age catagory. I ROCK!! I ran with my buddy Ed. Monique was going to run with us but is out due to injury.