July 6, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday- 3 4 mile run before work, dinner out for friend’s bday

Tuesday – ~~walk at work~~ (rain), dentist after, gym

15 mins – better than nothing

Wednesday – 3 mile run before work (rain), 2 mile run at work, hair appt, mall walk with BFF

got rained on or may have gotten another mile in

Thursday – 4 3 mile run after work

with Judy, new Hokas and ice cream afterwards = good run

Friday – off from work, 4 3.5 mile run, ~~nails~~, gardening, errands, mah jongg

Saturday – boating

it wasn’t sunny but it was so much fun

Sunday – 3 5 mile run, boating

slow, hilly but scenic ❤

warm, sunny day in the bay

This Week:

Monday- 3 mile run
Tuesday – walk at work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest
Friday – 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday & Sunday – 5k race, boating

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

July 5, 2015 by Darlene

Boating + Running Weekend

Yes, I had a THREE day weekend.

For Friday, I sent my hubby up to the lake and I stayed home.

It was a beautiful day but I knew I needed some alone time to get things done so I could fully enjoy the weekend.

So I did a lot of tree trimming and weeding, grocery shopping, laundry and of course, even squeezed in a scenic run.

On Saturday morning, I drove up to the lake with my friend Cheryl in the RAIN.

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate for July 4th. But, it never really rained so I consider myself lucky.

We hung out on one of the islands, lit a camp fire and ate, drank and laughed. They were about 15 of us and we had a great time despite the clouds and chilly temps.

never thought Id be wearing jeans a sweatshirt on the 4th of July – crazy weather.

the first course, steak came next

Then we went back to the marina and ate some more, sang and danced to oldies music while waiting for the fireworks to begin.

and we ate a lot of Ben & Jerry’s

the fireworks didn’t disappoint and the rain held off

The next day I woke up to fog which would burn off.

I ate my breakfast and set off on a run.

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I saved the donut for after

I decided to take a new route…up to the golf course.

However, it was so steep that I could barely walk up the hills.

At the halfway point, I turned around. Boy was the way down fun!!

Then, I continued my run where I normally go…the Sagamore Hotel grounds.

this yoga class looked fun

And then headed back to the marina.

It was a very slow run with lots of walking and interruptions but thoroughly enjoyable.

By the time I got back, everyone was ready to head out on the lake. We decided to not go to an island but just tie our boats together in the bay. I think we had about 8 boats tied together.

People moved back and forth but often congregated on one boat.

The water was cold (by my standards) but there were plenty of things to do.

Sadly, the day had to end and we put our boats away. We then headed out to a local restaurant for dinner and to watch USA beat Japan!!

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

July 4, 2015 by Darlene

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Yes, I know that you must be in shock. You never see recipes on my blog nor do I ever mention meal preparation or cooking.

But I was inspired by Chocolate RunsJudy and I was bored. Last Sunday, I had done my errands and the laundry. It was still raining and was forecast to rain all day. I don’t have a treadmill so I had to skip my run. (I don’t run in the rain unless it’s a big race,)

So I decided to make overnight oats.

I can’t find the chocolate anymore 😦

Oatmeal is my favorite pre-race food. I usually buy the re-packaged variety and add raisins and sometimes chia.

I looked around my kitchen for ingredients that I already had and came up with this recipe (based on a recipe from My Whole Food Life with some additions):

1/2 cup of gluten-free steel oats (you can use regular steel oats or rolled oats)
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp flax meal (I didn’t have any so I didn’t add it)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract or 1T whey vanilla protein powder (I used protein powder)
1/4 tsp nutmeg (I also didn’t have this either)
2T unsweetened apple sauce
2 tsp maple syrup
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

Throw all the ingredients in a jar or container and mix well. Cover and stick in the fridge overnight.

You can eat it cold or heat it up in the microwave.

I ate it warm before my run on Monday morning and yesterday. I liked it but I didn’t love it. So the verdict is still out (Packaged oatmeal tastes better and it is easier.)

I may have to try some other varieties before I give up on the idea of eating healthy oatmeal.

Happy Running! Do you make overnight oats? What is your favorite kind?

July 3, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: July 4th

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: July 4th/Independence

If the weather cooperates, my holiday includes these 5 things each year:

1. Boating on the Lake

2. Barbecues with Friends

eating at our site

3. Getting Patriotic

4. Fireworks

5. Squeezing in a morning run

Happy Running! How do you celebrate July 4th?

July 2, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Our Loud Thursday: Becoming a Morning Runner

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

A Morning Runner???

Who me?

I like to run in the morning but I just can’t get motivated to get out of bed early enough.

I like read at night instead of going to bed early. Then morning is my watch the Today show, read blogs, and relax time of day before having to go to work. Yup, work gets in the way of everything!!

Here are some tips:

Schedule it. Put it on the calendar. Make it a priority.

Set your running clothes out the night before. It will save you time (and you can sleep longer.)

Don’t hit the snooze button. (or the next thing you know, it will be too late to run.)

Vary your route. Make it interesting.

Find a friend to run with. It will keep you accountable.

I don’t live near any runners but Barbara lives the closest so maybe I coax her into running with me.

Why run in the morning?

You will feel better for the rest of the day.

You may even get to see some interesting morning creatures.

In the summer, it is much cooler and in the winter, it is lighter outside.

Happy Running! Are you a early morning runner or do you prefer to sleep in and run later?

July 1, 2015 by Darlene

#31daysofSkirtSports

Today, July 1, 2015 kicks off a fun month with Skirt Sports and Instagram:

I don’t have 31 outfits but I plan to be as active as I can every day this month and wear SkirtSports as often as I can.

Join us on Instagram for the fun! (And make sure to check out Skirt Sports’ account on July 14 when I take it over for a day!)

Want to add to your collection? Use code SSMFK20 to get 20% off!

Happy Running! How will you be moving this month? Do you wear SkirtSports?

July 1, 2015 by Darlene

June Update & Wednesday Word

June Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. YES! except for taper & recovery week

even ran before work twice

Get some strength training or yoga done. NO!!! Not yet…
Go for a walk several times a week at work. YES!

Run a 5K. YES!

not fast but won 3rd in my AG

Complete Half Marathon #14. YES!

again very slow but won 3rd in my AG

Complete a 10 mile race. No! My flight got cancelled.
Lose at least 5 lbs. Doubt it!
Run at least 80 miles. No, not even close.

took a week off after my half marathon

What else?

I went to NYC with friends

to the Neue Galerie

and the Metropolitan Museum of Art &

I went to Denver for a work conference and took a City Running Tour

I went boating several times

I read some good books and saw some movies

and Mary Coin, the Ape House and others that I can’t remember

and Spy

July Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Go for a walk several times a week at work.
Run a 5K race or two.
Improve my speed.
Keep my weight in check.
Run at least 70 miles.

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 INDEPENDENT

Here’s what “Independent” means:

not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct,etc.; thinking or acting for oneself:

not subject to another’s authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free:

not influenced by the thought or action of others:

not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.

not relying on another or others for aid or support.

rejecting others’ aid or support; refusing to be under obligation to others.

Hmmm…am I independent?

Yes and no. But more Yes than No.

at a Jimmy Buffet concert

I am married so of course, I can rely on my hubby for support. He will tell that I am stubborn and don’t listen to his advice. Although we enjoy boating and tennis, we have many different interests. This results in spending a lot of time doing things separately. (Some people might think this odd because many married couples do most things together.) For example, I don’t expect him to accompany me on vacation and to races.

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solo at a tennis tournament in CA

I do have a lot of friends. I love being with them.

But if I can’t find someone to do something, I will do it alone. I will go to the movies alone. I will go on a trip alone. (I have flown to Europe several times alone.)

in Fla solo running a half marathon where I knew no one

So how does “Independent” relate to running?

not influenced by the thought or action of others – I don’t care when people say “Isn’t that bad for you knees?” “Should you be doing that with your ankle?” (Runners don’t care what others think.) We also can run at whatever pace we are capable of.
not relying on another or others for aid or support – I drive to my races by myself and run by myself most of the time (Running is a great sport because you don’t need others to do it.)
not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc – All you need are running shoes (and some cute outfits LOL) and you can run.

Happy Running! How did you do in June? What’s planned for July? Are you independent?

June 30, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: 2015 Goals Update

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: 2015 Goals Update

6 months down. 6 months to go. So how am I doing on my 15 goals for this year??

GOALS
FOR

1. Do not get injured.

No major injuries just some nagging foot issues.

ouchy!

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.

Yes, for the most part.

2x before work

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.

Tennis, yes. Yoga, no!

4. Do some upper body exercises.

Just a few times. Nothing to write home about.

5. Finish all of my races under 10 minutes per mile (except half marathons)

Yes. Except 15ks and 10 milers.

Cherry Blossom 5k – 8:59
Bacon Hill 5K – 9:00
Delmar Dash 5m – 9:09
Shamrock Shuffle 5m – 9:17
Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 9:21
Spring Run Off 10k – 9:22
Polar Cap 4m – 9:24
Albany Law Day 5k – 9:25
Mastodon Challenge 5k – 9:25
Freihofer Run for Women 5k – 9:28
Betar Byway 5k – 9:28
Mother’s Day 5K – 9:45
HMRRC Winter Series #3 10K – 9:48

6. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.

Yes. 20 so far…

January – 4

February – 2
March – 3
April – 3
May – 6

June – 2

: 2015

7. Run a race in another state.

Yes. Florida, (almost California), New Jersey and Vermont

West Palm Beach Half in FL

Asbury Park Half in NJ

VCM Relay in VT

8. Run in NYC.
No. Not yet.

9. Get several Age Group awards.

Yes. 9.

: West Palm – Jan 2015

: 2015

: 3rd

: 1st

: 2015 – 27:56

: 1st

: 3rd

: 3rd

10. PR in a half marathon.

Yes.

West Palm Beach Half – 2:09:40

11. PR at another distance.

Yes. 4 mile and 5 mile.

Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 37:27

Delmar Dash 5m – 45:26

12. Join a running group or two.

Yes. Freihofer Training Challenge.

13. Volunteer.

Yes. At the HMRRC Winter Series Marathon and I was a GOTR running buddy.

14. Run over 900 miles.

Not if I don’t get moving. 5 Half marathons and only 404 miles so far. (Last year I ran 911 miles.)

15. Continue to blog almost everyday.

Yes.

So what do I focus from now until the end of the year?

Keep up the weekly runs
Continue signing up for races
Drag myself to the gym now and then
Take a yoga class or two
Focus on speed for the shorter races.
Prepare for my half marathon in October.
Find a solution for my annoying achy feet (besides surgery)
Lose those extra pounds.

That should keep me busy!!!

Happy Running. Did you set goals for this year? If so, how are you doing?

June 29, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – off from work, 5 6 mile run

Tuesday – ~~walk at work~~, 2 hours of tennis, dinner out after
Wednesday –3 mile run before work, walk at work, dinner out with the tennis ladies

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ate way too much at Chez Mike with my tennis buds but it was fun to see them

Thursday – walk at work, ~~rest~~ 3 mile run after work

hill repeats after work

Friday – 2 mile run at lunch, mah jongg

Saturday – rest, boating, dinner out

our boat

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our NJ friends finally came up to the lake

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at least I only ate half

Sunday – ~~5K??,~~ ~~boating~~ (rain!!), errands, cooking, shopping

my first overnight oats attempt

found these online for 50% off

This Week:

Monday- 3 mile run before work, dinner out for friend’s bday
Tuesday – walk at work, dentist after
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, hair appt
Thursday – walk at work, rest, mall walk with BFF
Friday – 4 mile run, off from work, boating
Saturday – boating
Sunday – 5 mile run??, boating

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

June 27, 2015 by Darlene

My Most REAL Race #REALwomenmove

Go to http://www.skirtsports.com/ambassadors/ to read about the awesome ambassador captains

Part of my responsibility of being a Skirts Sports Ambassador Captain is posting every month on a different topic. You can click on the links to read my posts.

In April, the topic was:

“261” and honoring the anniversary of Kathrine Switzer; the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon and

Women conquering barriers

In May, the topic was:

What REALwomenmove means to me

This month, it’s:

My most REAL race ever

Actually ALL of my races have felt “real.” Every experience was different but I learned something from each one.

Which one is the most real???

It could be my FIRST HALF MARATHON….

Half Marathon in Naples, Florida

It felt unreal at the time. I couldn’t believe that I had run 13.1 miles. I had never raced more than a 5k. I didn’t even train with a GPS watch. It is my proudest moment!

It could be the half marathon(s) that I ran in the FREEZING RAIN.

Lake George Half Marathon

Love Run

I was miserable and wanted to quit so many times but I didn’t. I stuck it out and am glad that I did.

It also could be the races where I was injured and ran IN PAIN. Unfortunately, there were several.

Runner’s World 5k with a stress fracture

Freihofer’s 5K with a broken foot

Asbury Park Half when my foot hurt the whole race

These races showed me how strong I can be and how important running is to me. (or maybe how stupid & stubborn I am.) Fortunately, none of these injuries worsened due to racing.

But I think my MOST REAL RACE EVER is the first one that I ran after I had surgery on my ankle.

I had 8 screws and a plate put in and the ortho told that I would walk again but he wasn’t sure that I could run races.

I broke my ankle on Dec 29. I had signed up for the Freihofer’s 5K (which is my favorite race) before that. The race was held on June 1. I hadn’t started running yet but I was walking. So I decided that I would go to the race and walk the 3.1 miles.

happy to be running again with friends

Your bib was colored according to the previous year’s finish time. I squeezed in with the other YELLOWs (though I thought that I should go to the end with the walkers but it was too far to walk!)

As soon as the gun went off, off I started running.

Yes, I ran!

I ran up the hill. I kept running and running and running.

I cautioned myself to go slow so that I would be able to finish the race.

Everyone was running. I felt that if I stopped to walk, I would be trampled. Yes, runners were passing me but for the most part I was keeping up at my slow pace.

I left my Garmin home since I was planning to WALK so I had no idea what my pace really was and I didn’t care. I WAS RUNNING!

As we approached the end…it was downhill. I slowed as to not FALL and then I sprinted (yes sprinted) across the finish line.

I had TEARS in my eyes. I couldn’t believe that I RAN!!!!

pic on the cover of the TU

Strangely, my picture appeared on the front page of our local newspaper. I got a lot of phone calls questioning whether or not that was really me and how did I do that??

I framed that picture and gave it to my PT guy and my ortho (who both thought I was nuts.)

No race has ever felt as REAL!!

Love this Jenny Hadfield quote:

I made a pact with myself to never complain about an event I’ve successfully finished. No matter what my finish time or pace, I will cross the line with a pocket full of gratitude. Records are meant to be broken, but those moments are far and few between. Every adventure offers an opportunity to evolve, explore, and celebrate life. And that is the gift that keeps on giving.

Be sure to drop by the Skirt Sports website to see how the Ambassadors as #REAlwomenmove!

Happy Running! What has been your most “real” race?

My First 5K and More…

An "Older" Runner's Blog

Author: Darlene

Monday Running Update

Boating + Running Weekend

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Friday Five: July 4th

Thinking Our Loud Thursday: Becoming a Morning Runner

#31daysofSkirtSports

June Update & Wednesday Word

Tuesdays on the Run: 2015 Goals Update

GOALS
FOR

Monday Running Update

My Most REAL Race #REALwomenmove

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