August 20, 2015 by Darlene

Freekeh Foods Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to try Freekeh.

Have you heard of Freekeh?

I had not.

So what is Freekeh?

According the website:

…Freekeh originated by accident when an ancient Middle Eastern village was attacked and their young wheat fields were set ablaze. In attempts to salvage their crops, the villagers rubbed away the burnt chaff and found that the roasted kernels inside were delicious! Since that time, Freekeh (which literally means, “to rub”) became a mainstay of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.

Since Freekeh is a roasted green wheat, gluten-free runners, you will have to pass on this one.

When I first saw this grain, it reminded me a lot of quinoa as far as being able to substitute it for rice and add it to any

However Freekeh contains 8 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. It is low fat too which makes it a great substitute for both rice and quinoa.

Freekeh cooks up very similar to rice and comes in three flavors – Rosemary Sage, Original and Tamari.

First I just cooked the Rosemary Sage per directions (add water and cook for about 25 minutes) and served it as a side dish.

It tasted great. My hubby who is picky didn’t even ask what it was. I think he thought it was brown rice.

Then I made this recipe from the Freekeh Foods website: Warm Breakfast Freekeh

I used almond milk and added raisins since I didn’t have any fresh fruit.

I was surprised how good it tasted and one package made breakfast for 3-4 days.

You can buy Freekeh at Whole Foods as well as other health food stores.

But if you’re lucky, you could win some here.

I am giving away a cookbook and a package of Freekeh to one reader. You can choose the flavor (original, rosemary sage, or tamari). *U.S. residents only.*

Click HERE to enter.

Good luck!

Happy Running! Have you tried Freekeh yet? If you won some, how would you eat it?

August 19, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Focus

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 FOCUS

So what does “focus” mean?

to direct one’s attention or efforts
to concentrate

Sometimes, it is hard to stay focused on running. There are always excuses not to run. It’s too hot or too cold or I’m too tired or I don’t have time or my blah blah blah hurts.

But I know that I will feel better after I run. I know that my upcoming races will go better if I get out there and run. These two things help me stay focused.

I don’t think I felt like running…

Then there are times when I do run and it doesn’t go well and races don’t end as planned. I could concentrate on the reasons why…an injury, the weather, the hills, etc

..but I should focus on the fact that I did run or I did finish the race and there will be more runs and races.

not one of my better days

As runners, we need to look back on when we started running. Remember when we couldn’t run a mile and when we couldn’t finish a 5k under X minutes.

We have all made progress and we need to focus on that.

this was one of my slowest 5K times but it was after not running for 5 months and I was so happy

All runners are different. Some can run ultras. Some can run 6 minute miles. Comparing yourself to others just leaves you frustrated.

We need to focus on our own running and our own individual goals.

We all start at the same time but each runner will finish at different times.

Happy Running! How do you stay focused?

August 18, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Role Models/Runners You Admire

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Role Models/Runners You Admire

At my advancing age, I admire those runners over 50 such as:

These Bloggers:

AJH from Age Groups Rock
Pam from We Run Disney
Holly from HoHo Runs
Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home
Linda from SeeLindaRun
Judy from Chocolaterunsjudy
Sherri from Adventures of a Middle-Aged Drama Queen
Shelly from My Journey to Fit
Charlotte from I Run in the Rain

(Sorry I couldn’t list all the over 50 bloggers… and yes, you younger runners are inspiring too, but let’s face it, it’s easier for you. You’ll see!))

I love to read about older women who are staying fit, being active, organizing running groups, running races from 5ks through marathons.

and of course, older runners that I have read about:

Anne Garrett, who at age 80 set a Half Marathon record and then at 81, set a 5K record

Harriette Thompson who ran a marathon at age 92.

Joan Benoit Samuelson at age 58, who can still finish a marathon in less than 3 hours.

I admire any older woman who is out there running, fast or slow, alone or in a group. I hope to be able to do the same for a very long time…

running at age 62 years young

Happy Running! Who do you admire as a runner?

August 17, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Today was a rest day. Nothing exciting except for work and getting my nails done after work.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but it was pouring. Then I was going to run during lunch…still raining. Tennis was cancelled after work so I had no excuses. I tortured myself with 3 miles on the treadmill. Torture because it was so hot and I left my iPad home…no TV to pass the time.

Wednesday – No rain today and cooler temps so I went to the Crossings for an easy 4 mile run. My friend’s daughter was working at a nearby ice cream shop so I had to run by and buy a milkshake and then run back (which added an extra mile).

Thursday – Another rest day. Just work and met my BFF at the mall for a walk after work.

Friday – I went into work late today. I had a busy weekend planned and I wanted to get miles done in case I didn’t have time to run during the weekend. I drove to the bike path and ran 8.75 slow miles. By slow, I mean that I stopped at Starbucks and stopped many times to take photos, read my email, check on FB, etc. At least I was outdoors and the weather was great.

Saturday – I got early today because I had to proctor the MPREs at work. Afterward, we met some friends and drove to the Xfinity Center in MA to see Huey Lewis and the News and JIMMY BUFFET!! I am a proud “Parrothead.” It was a blast!

Sunday – after getting home at 2:30 am, we still got up early to head to the lake. I relaxed with some reading, hiking and dinner out.

16.75 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running.

This Week: (Week #5 of HM training)

Monday- 4 mile run before work, gym after
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – 3 mile run before work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 mile run, weekend at Schroon River with my tennis BFFs
Sunday – rest, tennis

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

August 14, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Running Tips

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Running Tips

Here are 5 tips for New Runners.

1. Shoes are important.

It is essential to have good running shoes — ones that fit and that are comfortable. The first time, you should go to a running store to get fitted and try out different shoes.

my latest pair – Hokas

2. Wear comfortable clothes.

They shouldn’t chafe and should be breathable. Of course, if you look good, even better.

one of most comfortable Nike tops & ShirtSports skirts.

3. Eat properly.

That means not “running on empty.” I try to eat carbs before I run and protein after. But really, a healthy diet is the most important. If you run more than 4 miles, try different types of fuel before you use one in a race.

my pre-race breakfast of cream of wheat

4. Sign up for races.

There’s no greater motivator than running a race. The excitement of other racers is contagious. You will meet other runners. (Runners are the nicest people.) You will be surprised how much faster you run when you are racing.

5. Be proud.

Even if you are a slow runner or have a bad run, by running you have accomplished something big – Something that many people cannot do.

check out my knee – this was not a good race but I was ok with it.

Happy Running! Any other tips for new runners?

August 13, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Why Blog?

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I was thinking on Tuesday…

I was looking at my blog links and realized that so many of the blogs that I used to read when I started running are extinct … meaning, these runners don’t blog anymore.

Is it that they don’t run anymore?

Or is it that they have run out of things to say?

When I first started, you had to be creative and pick a topic.

I often did Two for Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Three Things Thursday or even Foto Friday. And I always recapped my races.

Now linking to other blogs is cool such as Tuesdays on the Run, Wednesday Word, Thinking Out Loud Thursdays, Friday Five, Saturday Coffee Clubs, etc. etc.

So I have switched and link most of my posts to linkups.

Why?

It’s easier than deciding what to write about myself. And you get to connect with other runners who are writing about the same thing. It also attracts readers to my blog.

That’s another thing.

I’ve been blogging since 2008 and I still have less than 200 followers.

I’m ok with that because I work full-time and I don’t have the time to comment on everyone’s blog and push mine out to other readers.

The real reason I blog is personal.

To motivate myself to run
To track my progress toward my goals
To review my races to help plan each year’s schedule.
To inspire others to run

There are so many excellent running blogs that it could be a full-time job reading them all. I read a select few while I eat breakfast. But even if I had more time, shouldn’t I be doing something else? Like exercising? Running? It’s another sedentary activity.

Like now.

I am writing this post. I could be at the gym or running on the treadmill (It’s raining.)

But I’m not.

Instead I’m thinking about if I should continue this blog. And why?

These are all things that I enjoy.

So I guess, I will…

for now.

But I’ll end this post here because I am going to get on that treadmill at work and maybe stop at the gym after too. (Tennis for today is cancelled due to the rain.)

Happy Running! Why do you blog? Do you ever think about quitting?

August 12, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Initiative

This week’s Word is INITIATIVE

So what exactly is initiative?

An initiative is the start of something, with the hope that it will continue. It is also a personal quality. A person with initiative is motivated to do things. If you take the initiative, you’re willing to get things done on your own.

My biggest initiative was to decide to start running. At age 55, I joined No Boundaries and set out on my quest to run a 5K.

2008

But more importantly, when my friends stopped running, I continued. I ran by myself and signed up for race after race after race.

2010

Three years later, I took the initiative to run a half marathon. I told no one and signed up for one in Florida, where I knew no one.

the best day ever

I have made friends from blogging and running races. But for the most part, I take the initiative in my running.

I sign up for races that I want to run whether or not I know anyone. (Of course, it is more fun when you do.)

alone at last summer’s half

Running is important to me so I take the initiative to do it on my own.

I have gotten on a plane by myself many times to run a race – California, Florida, Philly, etc. (If I had more time and more money, I would do it even more.)

running solo in Fla last Jan.

If fact, my next half marathon is in Brooklyn. I don’t know anyone in Brooklyn. I am taking a bus there, I rented an apt for the night before the race, and I will take the subway on race day…by myself. (Wish me luck!)

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it should be worth it!

yup, got that 15k pr!

Happy Running! Are you someone who takes initiative when it comes to running?

August 11, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall Race Schedule

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week, the theme is Fall Race Schedule

Here is my tentative list of races:

9-5-15 – Run for the Horses 5k

I ran this once several years ago – another race in the Saratoga park

9-12-15 – Malta 5k

this will be my 3rd time – a nice local race

9-19-15 – Arc in the Park 5K

this will be my first time

9-26-15 – Helper’s Fund 10K

I ran the 10k last year – hilly but scenic

10-03-15 – Apple Run 5K

my first time was last year – it’s on my list now

10-10-15 – Rock N Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon

This is an inaugural race and my first time too

10-17-15 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

I ran it last year and it was fun.

11-08-15 – Stockade-athon 15K

this will be my 4th time but 2nd on the new improved 15k course

11-21-15 – GOTR 5k

It’s an inaugural race – to raise $ for GOTR

11-26-15 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k

my 2nd time – loved this race last year

Happy Running! What races are on your fall schedule? Any of the ones above?

August 10, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– It was Staff Appreciation Day so I had the day off from work. My former co-worker, Molly and I decided to have our annual breakfast at the race track day. But since I didn’t have to rush off to work, we decided to stay for the races. It was a blast especially since I won 7 out of 10 races. Too bad I only bet $1 at a time.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but I was too tired (after 12 hours at the track yesterday.) Then it was raining during my lunch break so I decided to forget it. I did play tennis after work for about 2 hours (but went out to dinner after & put those calories burned back on.)

Wednesday – Again I got lazy and decided to run after work rather than before. I chose the rail trail close to home. I was tired so the run was slow but the highlight was a deer in my path.

Thursday – Not much happened today except that I had a hair appointment and ate a lot of food at work. So I forced myself to stop by the gym to a few minutes of exercise.

Friday – I left work early so I could go home and change in order to run an evening 5K.

free beer & ice cream & 2nd in my AG made up for my mediocre finish time

Saturday – Another rest and boating day on the schedule. So nice that the weather has been cooperating.

Sunday – After a restless night sleeping on the boat, I dragged myself up early to run. I love to run in this area and I know that it will be ending before you know it. Unfortunately, my hubby & friends were anxiously awaiting my return but I did manage to squeeze in 7 miles.

The rest of the day was spent similar to Saturday… on the water after breakfast out and then a boat ride up north to spend time with an old friend.

14 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running. No wonder nothing hurts.

This Week: (Week #4 of HM training)

Monday- walk at work, rest, gym
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – walk at work, rest, gym
Friday – 8 mile run (GO INTO WORK LATE), mah jongg
Saturday – rest, work, Jimmy Buffet concert!!
Sunday – rest, 4 mile run?

I am linking up for the first time to Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

August 9, 2015 by Darlene

I’ve Been Nominated

Liebster Award

Thanks to Karen @ Running50 for nominating this blog for a Liebster Award. (I think it’s my 3rd time. Maybe I need to recruit more followers. LOL)

Here are my answers to her 11 questions:

1.What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Running my first Half Marathon. I really wasn’t sure I could.

2. Where would you choose to live if you did not have any restrictions on where you were?

Paris, France. It’s my favorite city. I love the language, food, monuments, museums, gardens, etc.

3. Have you crossed something off of your bucket list? If so, what and if not, tell us something that is still on your list.

I have been to the Grand Canyon, Israel, France, Greece.

2004

Many things on my list involves traveling that we’can afford (Alaskan cruise, African Safari, Hawaii..)

But I still want to run a race in NYC.

4. If you could time travel, would you chose to live in a different time? When?

No, I like the time I’m in. I’m a techie and that stuff didn’t exist in other time periods.

5. What was a favorite childhood book?

I used to love those Nancy Drew mysteries.

6. Can you speak a second language? If so, what and if not, which language would you like to be able to speak?

Je peux parler francais.

Y un pocito de espanol.

7. What is your favorite holiday and why?

I’ve always liked July 4th. It’s summer and I love BBQs and fireworks.

8. What would a perfect vacation be?

I’m not sure. Either on a beach or in a place with lots of interesting sites to photograph.

9. Do you have a recipe that you are famous for making?

I make a really good apple pie.

10. I’m also going to ask a question I was asked. What blog post are you most proud of?

A guest post – https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/guest-post: You’re Not Over the Hill…Why You Should Run… Advice for women in their later years

11.Who inspires or inspired you?

All those women over 50 who are running.

Now here are 11 random facts about myself:

1. I am an avid Mets fan (even when they are losing which is most of the time). I listen to their games whenever I can.

2. I have been mentoring a young unwed mom for the past 7 years. Her 8 1/2 year old son Richard is a joy! I love Amanda like a daughter. (She also now has 4 year old son named Matthew.)

3. I have NEVER eaten peanut butter. (That means I’ve never had a P & J sandwich. I don’t even eat Reese’s.)

4. I love tennis although I don’t play it much since I started running 7 yrs ago. I used to play tennis everyday now it’s only a once a week. Roger Federer is my favorite professional player. Now I’d rather run!! But some of my best friends are ones that I met through playing tennis. They are the reasons I continue to stick with it.

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my tennis buds

5. I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France and taught French for many many years (until I discovered the world of technology – now I’m a geek). I still love anything French and would move to Paris in a heart beat.

at NYBQ for a Monet exhibit

6. I am addicted to Mah Jongg. I have played it for 6 1/2 years on Friday evenings. It’s a game my mother used to play & no one wants to be like their mother but it’s a lot of fun and it keeps your mind young (I hope).

7. I have seen Les Miserables (the show) at least 15 times and would see it again if it came to town. I have also read the book & seen the movies but it’s the music that I love!

8. I am a certified “cat lady.” I have 4 cats: Jerry, Slater, Billy, Honey. Honey is the only female. (I used to have 5 but Spooky died.) Jerry is my fav but my hubby adores Slater.

9. I am obsessed with photos. I take my camera or phone almost everywhere I go. I post them all online in Shutterfly and many on Facebook. (And of course on this blog.)

10. I love desserts. I would skip dinner and just have dessert. Once I even went to the Mariott’s (in NYC) all you can eat dessert buffet instead of having dinner. Apple pie and creme brulee are among my favorites.

some French patstries – yum!

11. I hardly ever watch TV… I am never am home. I detest reality shows, too. I do DVR Grey’s Anatomy, Downton Abbey, and The Good Wife (but struggle to find the time to watch.) However, my hubby would do nothing else but watch TV if he could. If I am home in the evening, I would rather read a book.

My Nominees are: