October 7, 2025 by Darlene

TT: 2025 3rd Quarter Update

70+ 3rd Quarter Stock Illustrations, Royalty-Free Vector Graphics & Clip Art - iStock

MY TOPIC TODAY is: 2025 Q3 UPDATE.

Wow, the past THREE months have gone by pretty quickly. (You can read my Q1 Update Here and my Q2 Update Here.)

So we’re 3/4 through the year!!

Things have not been perfect and so there’s definitely room for improvement. Of course, many good things happened…

AND there’s still THREE months left!!

The best is yet to come (as they say…)

Running-Related:

206 Miles

No annual goal this year…and maybe my lowest annual total ever.

But it’s all ok. I will run as many miles as I am able.

As always, my favorite miles were those with friends…

9 Races (5-5Ks, 1-4M, 2-10ks, 1-13.1)

I’m pretty sure they were all COURSE PWs… (but I’m trying to be positive here…)

3 NEW Races

I love seeing new scenery and/or running new routes…

1 Race-Cations

Ellen’s Run in Southampton

7 Age Group Awards
1. Indian Ladder Farms Spiked Apple 5k – 1st
2. Silks & Satins 5k – 2nd
3. Run for the Roses 5k – 1st
4. Ellen’s Run – 1st
5. Malta 5k – 1st
6. Squirrel Stampede 10k – 1st
7. Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k – 2nd

DNSed 1 Race

Rainy Keep Moo’ving 5k

Registered for 8 More Races (2-5K, 1-4m, 1-13.1)

I’m super excited about the new ones (bolded)…

1. Barn to Bridge Fall Festival 5k
2. Carlo Cherubino Memorial 5k
3. Trick or Trot Pumpkin 5k
4. Stockeadeathon (15k)
5. Troy Turkey Trot 10k
6. RunFluent 4 miler
7. Manhattan 10k (Feb. 2026)
8. Asheville Half Marathon (March 2026)

2 Blogger Meet-ups

Yes, Cari both times.

So who can I meet in the next 3 months? Anyone?

Mentored 1 Running Group

STEM just started up with a goal 5k race on November 16.

It’s always rewarding to help others reach their goals.

Fitness-Related:

0 Stationary Bike Rides

I had great aspirations but I seem to only get on the bike when I am injured.

22 Gym Visits

When I was home, I tried to go to the gym on non-running days which was usually 3 times each week.

3 Hiking Days

Working full-time so no longer always an option to have the day off. But it’s a great alternative to running and an opportunity to visit new places.

My partner-in-crime has recovered from her injury so these have resumed each month.

Finally Some Walking Tuesdays

Whenever I’m in town and have friends available, there were walks on the local rail trail or in a shopping mall or at the gym track.

3 Tennis Mondays

I enjoyed playing tennis so much in Florida and wasn’t as rusty as I thought so I planned to play this summer when I could.

9 Pickleball Lessons

It seems that everyone is playing pickleball so I signed up for lessons at a nearby park. It was actually fun and I met some nice folks.

Then in September I signed up for beginner lessons again…

Non-Running, Non-Fitness Related:

3 visits to NYC

Only one due to a race. None for work this quarter. Always an opportunity to connect with friends, see a show and/or visit a park or museum.

Many Dinners/Outings with Friends

Who doesn’t enjoy a meet-up that includes food/drinks/entertainment?

8 Lake Visits

Not as many as usual.. but still a relaxing place to spend time in the summer/early fall.

0 Knitting Projects Completed

I have lots of wool and plans but never got around to starting anything. Stay tuned for Q4, I hope to start something…

12 Books Read

I think my favorites were: Blonde Dust and Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

Did you read any of these? Do you have any to recommend?

And my quest for activities is still

Happy Running! How has your year gone so far? What’s left on your list to complete before the year ends? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs

October 5, 2025 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 9.28.25-10.5.25: Tapering/Racing…

Yes, I was tapering since my half marathon is this coming Saturday.

But I managed to squeeze in a 5k race during that taper run.

Last Week –

Sunday – It actually felt like summer today so after a trip to the gym, we headed up to the lake. My hubby even invited a tennis friend to join us.

a book, hard cider and great views…

Since this was probably my last trip this season, I insisted on a stop for Martha’s ice cream.

an old pic from several years ago

Monday – Another beautiful day on tap and I actually ran before work…

It was Jenny’s rest day so I was solo.. loved visiting the horses

After work, I had my pickleball lesson /play and then I stopped by my MIL’s since today was her actual 100 year old birthday!!

Tuesday – I had plans to meet a friend to run before work. She cancelled and I was so tempted to bail but I didn’t…

a little chilly at first but actually the weather was perfect and I spotted Barb on the run…

After work, I went for a walk with a former co-worker…

Wednesday – Back to the gym for the first time this week..

After work I attended week 4 of the STEM group training.

Hooray… we had 4 runners today!!

Thursday – Rest day! No gym. No run. No pickleball.

But the weather was so nice that I went for an unplanned walk after work.

unfortunately due to our dry summer, many leaves down but little color…

Friday – DAY OFF – A hike with Heidi and our new BHFs Priscilla and Emilee. They chose a hike in Cooperstown (Glimmerglass Lake) and our lunch spot (Origins). Both were perfect.

I rushed home since tonight I was hosting mah jongg.

Saturday – Barn to Bridge 5k.

I parked so that I had to run to the start (5 miles) and that would add more miles to my day.

Then I ran the 5k race, perused the booths, had food and drink, listened to the band and enjoyed the summer-like weather…

Eventually I had to get back to my car. A slow 2.5 miles run (mostly walk).

Long taper run complete!? 10.5 miles.

Sunday – An early train to NYC for a work trip. Some fun things planned once I arrive (as mentioned in my UCD post).

This Coming Week on the Run –

Monday – work in Jamaica, Queens, train home
Tuesday – run, walk w/BFF
Wednesday – STEM mentor run
Thursday – run, pack
Friday – OFF – drive to Lake Placid, pre-race activities
Saturday – Lake Placid Half Marathon
Sunday – post race activities

This Coming Week on the Blog –

Tuesday – 3rd Quarter Update
Friday – Tips for Running in Different Weather Conditions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Does it feel like fall where you live? Do you enjoy the taper? Any race-cations planned? Please share.

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.

October 3, 2025 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date for October 2025

It’s that time of the month…

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

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that friends help make those miserable long runs and races better…

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that when running friends don’t run, we still keep each other company by eating together.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that when we first starting planning race-cations, everyone in the group ran a half marathon…

back in 2017

Each year, fewer and fewer complete the distance.

This year again, only 4 of us have signed up for the half on October 11.

the mighty runners!!

But we will still ALL have fun.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that again this year, I may have become pumpkin-obsessed.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am going to NYC for work on Sunday in order to work there on Monday. I’m just a sub so I will not be scheduled there very often if at all.

I couldn’t resist this (and it sold out in 3 minutes for all 3 days) and I got a ticket for 12:30 pm on Sunday):

The exterior of the Law & Order Dun Dun Diner.

In celebration of the 25th season of Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television’s Law & Order, NBC is launching the “DUN DUN Diner” at Rockefeller Center. It will immerse fans in the universe of the iconic franchise in an experience inspired by the quintessential NYC hangout for hard-working detectives.

I also try to make the most of my time there. Afterward, I may go see a Broadway show:

Buena Vista Social Club - Broadway.com Groups