Happy Holidays!
Author: Darlene
Runfessions – December
It’s that time again (or maybe I’m a little early.) Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…
Last Runfession of 2016!!
I runfess…
Holiday celebrations have seem to have taken over my life. Last week, it was EVERY single night!! And it is still continuing for many more nights to come….
I could decline some of those invitations but ’tis the season…, right?
It wouldn’t be so bad if I were training and not slacking off on my runs!!!!!!!!!
I runfess…
I have forgotten how to dress for winter. I hate to be warm so I cannot overdress. There’s that balance between sweating and freezing. I haven’t found it yet.
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- yes I still wear capris even though it is in the 20s
I runfess…
2016 isn’t over and I trying to figure out half marathons for 2017. I may have even already picked one for the fall already.
Anyone running these? Any invitations??
- Treasure Coast – March 5, 2017 – Stuart, FL
- Shape Women’s – April 30, 2017 – NYC
- Steel Rail – May 21, 2017 – Adams, MA
- Wineglass – October 1, 2017 – Corning, NY
- I need a Nov/Dec one in someplace warm!!!
I runfess…
I am reliving through texts and my wine glass our #HoLottaFun weekend. I am hoping that we can all meet up again in 2017 to run another race.
I runfess…
I may have bought more gifts for myself than others when holiday shopping this year.
- new running shoes & crocs in Florida (both on sale)
- 2 tanks on sale at Old Navy
- capris/skirt from Skirt Sports (see below:)
I have also participated in several gift exchanges. At one party, I won $33 in scratch off tickets (woo hoo!)and at another a pair of homemade mittens. Still anxiously awaiting my Skirt Sports Secret Santa gift…
Happy Running! Anything to Runfess?
Friday Five 2.0: Holiday Races
I am linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup!
Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Today’s Topic is: Holiday Races
I run the same Holiday race (Albany Last Run) every year so I’ll change this post’s topic to December Races I’ve run or would like to run:
1. Albany Last Run
Mid-December every year in Albany, NY. The race starts off with fireworks at the Capitol building and then you run around the lights in Washington Park ending with a downhill near where you began. Lots of costumes and holiday spirit. This is the race that I run every year.
2. EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon
Beginning of December in West Palm Beach, Fl. I ran it in 2015 and enjoyed the course and ocean views. I’d love to do it again.
I especially liked the champagne that you receive after you cross the finish line.
3. Panama City Beach Half Marathon
Beginning of December in Panama City Beach, Fl. I ran it this year and enjoyed the FLAT course and gulf views. If I got invited again, this one would be one to repeat.
Free gumbo and beer at Margaritaville after the race is a nice perk.
4. Hot Chocolate Run
5k in Northampton, MA. It raises money for an organization addressing domestic violence. I’ve never run this race but I know a few runners who have and they say good things about it.
Of course, there’s hot chocolate after the race.
5. First Night Saratoga 5k
New Year’s Eve in Saratoga Springs, NY. Again I have not run this race but it is very popular locally. It starts and ends on the Skidmore campus and is moderately hilly. You receive a commemorative medal at the finish.
Afterwards you can attend the annual First Night activities in beautiful downtown Saratoga.
Happy Running? What races do you like to run during the holidays?
My Year (2016) in Numbers
- Miles – 1000+
- Races – 43
- Marathons – 0
- Half Marathons – 7
- 10 milers – 2
- 15ks – 3
- 8.4 milers – 1
- 10ks – 4
- 5 milers – 2
- 4 milers – 0
- 3.5 milers – 1
- 5ks – 23
- Mentoring races – 2 (of the 5ks)
- Race-cations – 4 (Sarasota, FL, Vermont, NYC, Panama City Beach, FL)
- DNS – 1
- DNF – 0
- Age Group Awards ~ 21
- PRs – 1 (13.1)
- Injuries – 0
- New Races – 15
- States – 4 (NY, VT, MA, FL)
- New States – 1 (MA)
- Races in the rain – 5
- Ambassadorships – 1 (Skirt Sports)
- Running Shoes – 4 (Nike Vomero 10)
Highlights:
Although running achievements are personal. You cross the finish line on your own and your time is what you earn yourself. However, my most memorable racing experiences this past year were those that I shared with others.
Celebrate Life Half Marathon (& Relay) with Judy, Barbara & a whole busload of runners
Lake George Half Marathon with Barbara
Vermont City Marathon Relay with AJH
Ramblefest Half Marathon with Alyssa
Dash to the Finish 5k with the Russians, Anna, Tatiana & Julia
Panama City Beach Half Marathon with Holly, Tricia, Wendy, Karen, Mary Beth, Marcia & Judy for the #HoLottaFun weekend
Having fun is much more important than the numbers.
And 2016 was a good year for me!!
Since it is also Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Happy Running! How did your year turn out by the numbers? What were your most memorable running experiences?
Wednesday Word: Giving
Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.
This week’s word is GIVING.
Tis the season.
Since this is a running blog, I’ll talk about what RUNNING has GIVEN to me.
- confidence
- strength
- self-esteem
- bragging rights
- good health
- DOMS
- medals
- muscular legs (slightly LOL)
- awards
- ugly feet
- shirts
- swag
- ambassadorships
- excuse to eat more
- injuries
- free food
- time to think
- stress reliever
- visits to interesting places
- alone time
- pretty scenery
- race-cations
- many new friends
- reasons to blog
- mentoring opportunities
- opportunities to support charities
- volunteer opportunities
1st in my AG – Palm Beach Half
If you look at the list above, you’ll notice most of the things that RUNNING has GIVEN are good things – things that has enriched my life.
So yes, running has given me so much that I believe it is important to GIVE back.
There are many different ways that you can do this:
- blogging
- mentoring a new runner
- volunteering at a race
- raising money for a charity
- giving advice to other runners
- running with a slower running friend
- coaching a runner
- running a race along side another runner
- donating shirts and shoes
GOTR
Happy Running! What has running GIVEN to you? How have you GIVEN back?
TOTR: My Running Year in Pictures
Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:
Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for
Today’s Topic is: Your year in pictures:
I’ve run 43 races and over 1000 miles. How can I limit myself??
But I’ll and only post one racing picture per month:
January:
lots of free races with friends as part of the HMRRC’s Winter Series
February:
windy and cold but I completed an awesome half marathon (Sarasota Music) in Florida while visiting friends
March:
perfect weather for the hilliest half marathon (Celebrate Life) and a fun time on the bus road trip
April:
another nice day for a half marathon along my favorite lake (Lake George) and with my running buddy Barbara
May:
loved getting to see fellow blogger AJH and survived this heat cancelled marathon relay (VCM)
June:
one of my favorite races (Adirondack Distance 10 Miler) that finishes next door to the marina where we keep our boat
July:
not all races have had good weather but still a good time in this wet 5k (Saratoga Springs)
August:
this 8.4 mile race was on my bucket list and happy to be able to run this hilly one and win my AG
September:
Another local half marathon completed on a beautiful course (Saratoga Palio) followed by free beer and bar food
October:
Half Marathon #22 and a PR!!! Loved this race!! (Ramblefest)
November:
sharing 3 Russian young women’s first NYC racing experience was the best! (Dash to the Finish 5k)
December:
Sharing half marathon #23 with 7 amazing ladies #holottafun
Phew! That was tough! I could have posted at least 10 pics for each month. I also ignored all those running experiences that were not part of a race.
Here’s just a few:
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- along the Hudson River, NYC
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- along the East River, NYC
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- in Central Park, NYC
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- along the Rail Trail, Delmar, NY
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- along the Zim Smith Trail, Round Lake, NY
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- Corning Bike Path
I’ve enjoyed a great 2016 and feel so fortunate to have had zero injuries and to have been able to race often and with so many wonderful runners.
Happy Running! What is your favorite memory of 2016?
Monday Running Update
Last Week:
- Monday – Back in the frigid NE. I decided to squeeze in a run before tennis because the rest of the week looked even worse weather-wise. Although it snowed Sunday night, the path is always cleared at UAlbany.
it was nice until the sleet & freezing rain started- ouch!
- Tuesday – I was scheduled to play tennis again so I decided to skip the run and went shopping instead.
- Wednesday – Another busy day but I was able to squeeze a run into before our STEM celebratory dinner.
- Thursday– Colder and windier. I wimped out and cancelled my run with Alyssa and went shopping. Good News!! The battery in my iPhone (it kept shutting off when it got cold – hello I run in the winter!!) is defective and they replaced it for free!!! 3 hours in the mall without a phone = torture!
- Friday – Rest day #3. I celebrated by mentee’s birthday at Canvas, Corks & Forks. We ate (mac n cheese bar), drank, painted and laughed. Then went out for dessert.
- Saturday – Rest day #4. Total slacker. Snow, sleet, rain. A day to start addressing those holiday cards and wrapping the presents.
I always make my cards – obviously there was boating theme this year
In the evening, we had our annual tennis ladies party. Always a fun time!!
- Sunday – Started the day with brunch with Judy & 2 other running friends.
they may have talked me into a fall half marathon
After doing some errands, I braved the cold and wind and ran 6 miles.
my favorite rail trail has too many patches of ice 😦
Then in the evening, went out for appetizers and drinks with a friend. (Maybe I should have run more than 6 miles LOL)
12 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days (Still on a training break)
This Week:
- Monday – rest day, tennis
- Tuesday – 4 mile run
- Wednesday – rest day, dinner with a friend
- Thursday – 4 mile run
- Friday – rest day, mah jongg
- Saturday – 6 mile run, lights in the park with Amanda & sons
- Sunday – rest day, holiday with the fam
Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.
Happy Running! How is your running going?
Friday Five 2.0 – Holiday Gifts
I am linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup!
Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Today’s Topic is: Holiday Gifts
Here’s what I’d like. What about you?
1. Gift Card for a new pair of running shoes
Does any runner have enough running shoes?
Nike Vomero 10s – I hate the 11s so need more of these.
2. New Socks
I know you all love new socks!!
3. A Race Entry (particularly a destination one)
Some place with water views….
4. Some winter accessories
5. A New GPS Watch
I still have the big clunky Garmin 205 . What about a newer cool one?
Happy Running? What’s on your gift list this year?
TOLT: Weather, Races, 2017, etc.
Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Here’s what I’m thinking about today:
- COLD
I know that I should expect it but last winter was so mild that I forgot how to run in the cold.
today -0 with the wind chill
Needless to say, I am not running today or tomorrow and maybe not until Monday.
I do not own a treadmill and even if I did, I hate it!!
This used to be my motto. And I will get my mojo back. I hope….
- Races
I am done racing for 2016. My next race is Jan 1 and that is only 3.5 miles. That may explain my lethargic attitude to running in the cold.
I don’t need to start running over 6 miles on the weekend until Jan 15 so I guess I’m on a break.
glad this happened already! 1000 miles for 2016.
- 2017
I’m a planner. I will probably do most of the same local races.
In addition:
Stuart, Fla – ALL SET!!! Anyone else???
I DID NOT get into the NYC Half lottery (Again!!!) Boo Hoo!!
And I will be deferring my $10 entry into this one until 2018:
But I am thinking about this one – it’s not my preferred NYC race but just maybe:
anyone else running this one?
I am also considering this one:
Steel Rail Half Marathon – Adams, MA – May 21, 2017
- #HoLottaFun
I am missing my new running/blogger friends. I know that I only spent one weekend with them but I feel like I’ve known them forever.
Good thing for texting so we can keep in touch daily.
There’s still openings in my schedule for 2017. Hopefully there will be another girls weekend in there.
Happy Running! What’s on your mind today? Do you mind the cold weather? What races are you looking forward to in 2017?
Wednesday Word: Decorate
Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.
This week’s word is DECORATE.
I love this time of year. The holiday decorations always put me in a good mood. And the best way to see them is to go for a walk or a run.
Here are some I’ve seen:
In Washington Park – Albany, NY
In Panama City Beach, FL
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- never seen so many blow up items
In NYC:
Normally, I could show you pics from my house. But I am a slacker this year. I’ve been away two weekends in a row and I am way behind …on everything.
Of course as a runner, these are my favorite decorations this year:
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- Sarasota Music Half – Feb
Happy Running! Do you decorate your house? What are your favorite decorated places or favorite decorations?
My First 5K and More... 