Author: Darlene

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Wordy Wednesday – Happiness

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Yeah, I have been depressed about not being able to run, walk, play tennis, bike, do yoga and go boating.

I am trying not to complain at all (or maybe “not so  much”)

This was a comment on one of my whiney FB posts:

Darlene I am so sorry you are still enduring all of this. I hope it is not too painful and you’re up and at ’em soon… makes me sad that you are tied down like this ~ I know how much you love to move!!!

This is from a former co-worker who has Cystic Fibrosis. She is in and out of the hospital.  Tied to an IV most of the time.  Can hardly ever leave the house.   Needs a lung transplant if she wants to live much longer.  But she always has a smile on her face and enjoys every day that she is still alive.

So I am thankful that:

  • I have 4 days off from work
  • I can walk/limp/shuffle without crutches
  • I am not in any pain
  • I have great friends
  • My hubby sticks by me through ALL my ups and downs
  • I have a job and co-workers that I like
  • I have a boat on Lake George
  • I know that I will run and play tennis again
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celebrating July 4th with friends (on Log Bay Is#3)

I will again celebrate the holiday on Lake George.  Moving around will be more difficult than past years but I’ll try not to complain.

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Happy Running! What are you most thankful for?

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X-rays #4

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Yesterday I went back to my ortho for the third time for more x-rays on my broken foot (The 1st set of x-rays was done at urgent care).

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Since the last visit, I have been walking on my foot (with the flat shoe) without the crutches. I even tried walking a bit in a sneaker.

So here’s what he had to say:

  • The fracture hasn’t moved so it appears to healing normally.
  • Come back in 4 weeks for more x-rays.

Of course, you realize that this doc has to be coaxed into conversation:

He then asked if I have tried putting weight on my foot. It was then that I admitted to not using my crutches and walking on it. I don’t think this made him very happy and he replied that I was lucky that the fracture hadn’t moved.

I then added that it didn’t even hurt if I wore a regular shoe.

He said that a fracture of this type should hurt so I am either blocking out the pain or have a high tolerance for pain.

So now I have strict orders to NOT put stress on it, take it easy… NO RUNNING, of course.

I asked if he thinks that it will be healed in 4 weeks and he said: “We’ll see in four weeks.”

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I am sure that he writing that “This crazy lady is not feeling any pain because she thinks I will let her run sooner.” But it really doesn’t hurt. I swear.

So here’s what I can do for the next 4 weeks:

  • Start wearing a regular sneaker (& use crutch for support.)
  • I can swim (but I don’t swim or have access to a pool.)
  • In a week or so, I can use a stationary bike.
  • After that, I can try walking on a treadmill.
  • And then maybe, walk around the neighborhood.

So to say that I am VERY depressed is to say the least.

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2 of the same shoes!!

My foot feels fine but I don’t want to jeopardize my recovery.

How can I be patient?

Happy Running!

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Mid-Year Report Card

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We’re halfway through 2013 so it is a good time to take a look at those goals to see how I am doing.

I must say that things were looking up until June 1.

already more miles than all of 2012

already more miles than all of 2012

  • Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES,  until June 1.
running in Naples, Fla.

even ran 3 times while on vacation

  • Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – Yes, until June 1.

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  • Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker,  Lake George, Mother’s Day and the Freihofer’s all under 30 min.
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Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

  • Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – Yes, in the correct AG, I finished 1st at Lake George 5K  and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K.
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Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

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Mother’s Day 5K – finished 1st in 60-69

  • PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – Yes, HMRRC #3

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  • Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – Nope (broke my foot on June 1).
  • Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one) – Yes, I ran the Sarasota Half Marathon in March (the fall one may not happen.)

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  • Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – Yes, at least one per month and 11 total races already!! (However, there will probably be no races in July and August 😦  I hope to resume racing in September.)
at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

  • Run a race in another state – Yes, I ran in Florida (Vermont was planned for next month but that one is doubtful)
Sarasota Half Marathon

Florida racing

  • Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – Yes, I’ve run 5 new ones so far – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, ( NYC  hopefully next year)
Mother's Day 5K in Schenectady

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

  • Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on  that one.
  • Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 5 healthy months. 

Let’s hope my foot heals quickly and I can add more miles and races  during the rest of the year.

Happy Running!  How has your 2013 been? 

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Goals Smoals

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My GOALS for June:

  • Continue to run at least 3 times per week.
  • Go for at least 5 walks per week while at work
  • Get up early and do some runs before work.
  • Return to doing a plank a day.
  • Lose some of those vacation pounds.
  • Run longer (at least 5 miles) once per week.
  • Run at least two races.
  • Run more total miles than in May.
me, Courtney and her aunt MaryPat my friend)

June 1

good thing I kept those critches

also June 1

june 2013

total miles for the month

A BIG  FAT “NO” for ALL GOALS.

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I am a goal oriented person so here they are for July:

  • Continue to heal the broken foot
  • Follow doctor’s orders and don’t overdo
  • Ditch the crutches
  • Wear 2 of the same shoes
  • Walk
  • Bike
  • Run a little (yes, I am being optimistic)

Happy Running! How was your June? What is one of your July goals?

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One Month Down…

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Well that sums it up.

So it’s been 4 WEEKS since the big break.

I have been having an easier time walking but we’ll see what my ortho says on Monday.

I have been only taking ONE crutch to work. Around the house & the office, I haven’t even been using it.

I have even gone grocery shopping (the shopping cart provides great support).  It’s pretty sad when you get excited to buy groceries (and I had to pick a small store not the one I usually go to.)

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NO I refuse to use one of these…I used a regular cart.

And the good thing is that we have had Rain Rain Rain ….Rain everyday. (Sorry GOOD for me.  Not good for you runners, bikers, hikers.)

Anyway, I’ve tried to stay somewhat active (as to not go insane) …

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  • Mon – finished reading Last Run (murder mystery and yes, there is running involved) and started reading The Kitchen House
  • Tues – party with tennis team (that I am not on but was supposed to be)
  • Wed – dinner & conversation at Panera’s with BFF
  • Thurs- started watching PBS’ Call the Midwife – season 1 (got it out of the library)
  • Fri – happy hour party with lake folks
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Panera’s shrimp roll & summer corn chowder – YUM

Today I have a baby shower to go to.

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why does there seem to be more runners on the road when you are injured???

Nothing gives me the “high” that running does….

AND

How does one not gain weight when not running, walking or playing tennis?????  All my activities seem to involve eating….  HELP!!

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

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Wendy’s Mizunos

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These reviews of her Mizuno Wave Rider 16s are very funny.

Here are some examples:

Do you believe in human rights? Do you think a women’s health is a matter for her and her doctor and not for aged religious fundamentalists? Then these are the shoes for you! They will carry you through a marathon and a 13-hour filibuster necessary to protect women from the bigotry and religious intolerance in Texas. Highly recommended for progressive feet!

An essential tool for running down the clock in a state 773 miles wide and 790 miles long! These shoes are perfect for those days when you must spend 13+ hours standing, not lean on your desk or take any breaks – even for meals or to use the bathroom. The snazzy hot pink color brings out your inner badassness and helps you to “humbly give voice to thousands of Texans” and stop a “raw abuse of power” in its tracks. Raise a feminist army and lead the charge when your competitors cheat and change the rules on you. These Mizuno’s are built to protect your feet from mudslinging and add sunshine to the political process. Highly recommended for fierce women and anyone who’s not a Greedy Old Prick (GOP).

Maybe when I am back to running, I’ll give my Mizunos another try.

Camp Chingachgook Challenge

Happy Running! Can you believe how much press her shoes are getting! 

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Bye Google Reader

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If you use Google Reader, I have some sad news: it’s shutting down on July 1st, and when it does, it’ll take all your subscriptions with it!

BUMMER!

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On my iPad and iPhone, I use Feeddler and I like it.  But I keep getting scary messages about it linking up its content to Google Reader.

Just in case, I downloaded all my subscriptions from Google reader.

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In addition, I’ve set up an account in BlogLovin and installed the app on my iPhone. I also linked this blog to it.

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I have also set up an account in Feedly and installed the app on my iPad.

Both apps seamlessly imported my feeds from Google Reader.

At first glance, if Feeddler no longer works, I think I will use Feedly.

But we’ll see what happens after July 1.

Happy Running!  How do you read your favorite running blogs?

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Getting a Facelift

What do you do when you are not running and there is not much to write about?

Redo the header on your blog – that’s what.

I used a free banner creator for the first  time rather than PhotoShop so the  photos aren’t very clear … oh well.

lst header:
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2nd header:

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3rd header:

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4th header:

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5th header:

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current header:

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I didn’t realize that I changed my header every year.  Six headers means that I am in my 6th year of blogging (and running.)

My headers seem to tell the story of my running.

The first 3 years, I only ran 5ks so the title was “My First 5K Blog.”  Then I added more distances and changed the name to  “My First 5K and more …”

In the beginning years, I often ran with others (so you see pics with other runners).  Now, it’s usually just “Moi.”

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I think that in light of all my injuries that in my next header, the “and more” will mean “more than running”.  I may include other activities such as tennis, yoga, biking, boating… What do you think?

Happy Running!  Any recommendations for creating my 7th header?

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Broken Foot – Week 3

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Not much news on the running front cuz I AM NOT RUNNING! (You probably knew that.)

I assume that my foot is healing. I can now stand on it and walk on it with my flat shoe. I can even walk/limp/shuffle without the crutches.

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I went out on Lake George on Saturday for the first time since I broke my foot.

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our friends’ pontoon boat

I just love the video below !! (I used to play the song over and over again when I was running!)

It reminds of summers past on Lake George.

me & my hubby hanging out on top of our friend's boat

me & my hubby hanging out on top of the pontoon last summer

Anyway, I drove up to Lake George Village and went out on our friends’ boat. My hubby took out our boat.

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Kathi & Ed on their boat

We then met up on the lake…with lots of other boats.

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hubby, our friend Chris & me on the pontoon

We haven’t seen Ed & Kathi in a while so they gave us birthday gifts – wine & boating wine glasses.

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I admit it was NOT as much fun as normal but it was better than sitting home.

The lake was beautiful and the predicted rain never came.

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yes it is ugly & too big

Before returning home, I picked up my race shirt from the race that I was NOT running the next day.

Then I went to Ed & Kathi’s house and had dinner on the deck.  My hubby drove down from Bolton Landing to join us. I went home afterwards.  My hubby slept on our boat.

The next morning I called my hubby at the marina around the time that I would be finishing that race.  And it was raining.  Ha Ha! I would not have been happy.

2 hours was my goal time and it was pouring!!

2 hours was my goal time and it was pouring!!

At home, it was sunny.

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Rachel, boyfriend, mom, me, hubby on the lake

So instead of a race, I went to a graduation party on Sunday. Rachel is the daughter of some boating friends. It was 95 degrees and everyone would have preferred to be at the lake. But we went…

And her father Ron loves  “cat pops.”  Of course, there were some.

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cute as well as delicious

Again the partywas OK not great but better than doing nothing.  Lots of good food, a band…

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(I am really getting sick of the “What happened to your foot? How did you do that? I assume that you are going to give up running” conversations.)

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

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