September 6, 2020 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 8.31.20-9.6.20: Is Fall on its Way?

I get sad when Fall is approaching. It means the end of flowers. The end of boating. The days are getting shorter. Soon my group walks and hikes after work will have to end as well as bike paths to run on. Sigh.

Until then, I plan to enjoy what’s left.

I had a discount code and could do this virtual race series for free so I signed up. Maybe it’ll get me motivated to fun faster (…or not.)

They give you the routes but since I don’t live in MASS, I could just run anywhere. One 5k each week for 8 weeks starting Aug 31 and ending Oct. 25.

Last Week –

Monday – It was actually chilly when I woke up. Too bad I had declared it a rest day since I had run 12 miles the day before (Grr…Sunday runs mess up my week!)

Instead, I sneaked out for a short bike ride on Big Red in the neighborhood.

my sunflower was very sad this am…I have planted my first fall mums.

At lunch, I headed back to walk in our local park.

had enough time for both loops today

And it was so nice outside so I decided to drag my weary legs out for run. My running friend, Deirdre, suggested walking in Washington Park which wasn’t part of my plan so I parked my car and ran to meet her at Starbucks. We walked around the park and then I ran back to my car. Mission accomplished.

1.5 miles before and .5 after + flower views 🙂

Tuesday – No time for a walk before work (though it was again beautiful outside).

I did squeeze in a short walk during lunch

I’ve posted this before but they seem to change colors each week

and after work, I thought about a run at UAlbany before I met my BFF for a walk around an outside mall. But then I offered to pick up race swag for a running buddy and realized that Six Mile Waterworks was nearby. So change in running plans. Glad I did too. A mixture of road, trails, sand and lots of interesting nature views. The only downside was that I fell toward the end. (Very dirty and bloody but no serious injuries). It confirmed to me that I should NEVER run a trail race lol.

every now and then I jump…this was before the fall. Love this time of year because of all the monarch butterflies around.

Wednesday – I decided on a rest day because I knew I’d be hiking after work. I had thought I could at least squeeze in a walk during lunch but it poured all morning and continued to rain most of the day 😦

Finally the rain ended by the time I finished work. For our weekly after work trail walk this week, we went back to the trails at the Pine Bush but drove to the Water Tower (purple trail) and did an out and back and then a loop for 3.25 miles.

not the most exciting trail but the exercise and the company were great

Thursday – I had to go to work to print stuff and I thought I had time to squeeze in a run first. Remember I signed up for a virtual 5k each week for the next 8 weeks. Unfortunately it would have been too rushed so instead I took a quick walk so I could photograph more flowers.

found one!

That meant that my “virtual” 5k had to happen during my lunch break. I stopped off at the rail trail on my way home from the office. It was sunny and very humid and I was hungry but I had no choice but to just “DO IT.”

5K #1 completed with negative splits and a delicious post run Indian lunch.

I have been running with walking intervals with a pace of 13:XX or so. No big deal. Not racing. Just enjoying the outdoors and being with friends. I decided with these 8 5ks that I would try and push the pace. Not race them but just be uncomfortable. Not easy when you haven’t run more than 45 seconds without walking.

I did not walk but I stopped to tie my shoes 2x and take pics and catch my breath many times (and I think my Apple watch does auto-pause.)

This 5k made me realize that I have a lot of work to do if I want to return to my former 27:XX 5k times. Not sure that I care. However each week, I can work on something different. This week I decided to just stop when winded rather than walking which of course, would not happen in a “real” race.

Friday – Rest Day Friday. No running but some walking…

in the ‘hood before work

I followed this (sightly wounded) butterfly around)…I am monarch obsessed at this time of year

at the preserve at lunch and one last look at the nearby sunflower farm.

they are fading a bit…still pretty

And of course, ended my day with my weekly walk on the rail trail with former co-workers. I convinced them to meet at the Voorheesville end to show them the art work hanging from the trees.

They loved it. And afterward we hung out and had some wine and cheese. Such a fun evening.

Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. This week, we chose the Nisky Bike Path. As usual, I arrived first to run a few miles with Alyssa and then paired up to run intervals with Deirdre and Jan. 12 miles done!!!

getting ready for our virtual half in NH

Of course, the highlight was our group brunch afterwards. (Cinnamon Swirl pancakes and bacon this week).

Sunday – Boating Days are limited. Today was the annual Christmas on Log Bay party. Surprisingly, it was allowed to take place.

Xmas party on the lake – 2019

The weather was warm and we invited 2 friends on our boat. Such a fun day!!

2020 version

Because I had the next day off from work, I planned to stay overnight on the boat so I could get up early and run and hike.

This Coming Week –

Monday – DAY OFF, run, hike
Tuesday – rest day, ZOOM with college friends
Wednesday – run
Thursday – run, trail walk
Friday – rest day, walk with friends
Saturday – LONG RUN
Sunday – rest day, Boating on Lake George

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races yet? Are you looking forward to Fall? Please share.

September 4, 2020 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date for September

It’s that time of the month…

Starbucks BEEN THERE Series BTS--New Hampshire (NH) 14oz Mug NIB

still optimistic for Oct 2-5 vacation

to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I said that I was over Virtual races. I hadn’t run one since May.

I asked for a refund for both of my September Half Marathons and asked for a deferral for the August one BUT my October race has gone VIRTUAL with no refund or deferral option.

So I guess I’m doing another virtual race. Reluctantly. I really don’t care about getting a half-zip or medal when I have not run a “real” race.

How do you feel about this? Do you want swag from “virtual” races?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I was okay when I heard that Skirt Sports was going out of business. I have made quite a few friends in past years by being an Ambassador and I have enough skirts to last (my lifetime).

As you may have heard, the company was bought by Sarah R, the owner of the ZOOMA race series.

I ran ZOOMA Bermuda last February and met Sarah. This race was one of the best race experiences (and I have run a lot of them lol).

And there were quite a few Skirt Sports skirts at the race.

: and MCM Mama

Perfect match, right?

Have you run a Zooma race recently? If so, did you enjoy it? Do you wear Skirt Sports? How do you feel about its future?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that related to the above 2 updates, I signed up for another virtual race. I signed up with two other Skirt Sports ambassadors…

and it’s a ZOOMA race.

virtual swag

Have you done any virtual races lately? How about any ZOOMA virtual races?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that although gyms in NYS were allowed to open, my free gym has not.

It’s not that I was a frequent gym goer but I do worry about when winter comes. I do not own a treadmill or a stationary bike.

Have you gone to a gym yet?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have unearthed my old bike.

last ridden in 2012!?

You won’t see me at any duathlons. I will be just be a casual biker. So far, I have only ridden around the neighborhood.

I need to get a bike rack for my car if I want to ride it on any of the bike paths. But it turns out bike racks are like toilet paper in March …None to be found 😦

How often do you bike? How far?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!

September 1, 2020 by Darlene

Best Fitness Advice

Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)

The Topic for today is: What is the best fitness advice you’ve ever received?

You know me, I can’t just pick ONE thing…

So here’s a few of the most important ones:

Join a Running Class

Some persons just start running on their own. They risk acquiring bad habits. This may lead to injuries.

One day after a tennis match, one player suggested that three of us enroll in No Boundaries, a Fleet Feet-based class for those wanting to learn to run. The class culminated 16 weeks later with a 5k race. It was a great way to start my running journey. I still recall many of things I was taught by my coaches.

with my partners in crime (back in 2008)

Find Your Tribe

Of course, it is more convenient to run when you want, where you want and how fast you want. But you will definitely find more benefits in running with others.

When I first started running, I blogged and read other running blogs. One day in 2010, a local blogger (The Happy Runner) asked me to help her start a group for new runners (Strong Running Mamas) with the goal of having them run a 5k race. This group grew immensely to include runners of all ages and levels. I bump into someone from that group at almost every race.

the larger group at a 2013 half marathon (yes, we had shirts made up with the group’s name)

Currently, I am fortunate to be part of another group called the Sole Sisters (as a result of a race-cation for the Wine Glass HM). They support me, motivate me and have become friends, in addition to running partners.

most of the group at a local 5k

Run longer distances.

It is perfectly fine to be a short distance runner. It certainly is much easier to fit in a training plan and to focus on speed and PRS.

That was my plan for several years. I ran 5ks and I ran lots of 5ks. Nothing longer.

Then one day, a running friend insisted that I was capable of running a half marathon. I was so skeptical that I signed up for one and didn’t tell anyone (in case I failed.)

My first (2011):

My 41st (2020):

obviously the colors of my running outfits haven’t changed lol

Yes, I got hooked.

In fact, before the Pandemic of 2020, I was planning to run one each month this year. (Yes, 12 in 12 months!!)

Run the NYC Marathon

No one needs to run a marathon to consider herself a runner. And if you do, it doesn’t have to be a BIG one like NYC.

Running a marathon was NEVER one of my running goals.

In 2018, I ran the Brooklyn HM fast enough to get into the 2019 NYC Marathon. I was told that it was a “no brainer” to run it since it is so hard to get into and I would not likely get in at a future time through the lottery.

However, my job in 2019 did not lend itself to training for one. Again, I was reminded that there will “NEVER be a perfect time.”

So I signed up. I trained (supported by my “Sole Sisters”). I connected with fellow bloggers Lacey and Cari during Marathon weekend. Most importantly, I finished those 26.2 miles with a smile on my face.