February 13, 2012 by Darlene

Getting Inspired by Adele

I liked Adele before last night but after 60 minutes and the Grammys, I am really a fan.

Imagine having to have surgery and wonder if you will be able to do what your career depends on. I’m sure you know Adele was a singer and recently had vocal cord surgery. Singing was not only her life but her livelihood. She would not only have to survive the surgery, but she would have to be the same as before (or maybe better.)

After hearing her perform last night, it is clear from the standing ovation that Adele is back! Her voice is still amazing!!

If you missed it, click HERE!

So in the scheme of things, ankle surgery is not as serious as vocal cord surgery. My livelihood does not depend on being able to run and play tennis. Even if I do those again and it is not at the same level, it’s ok. I can do them at any level I choose.

I was pretty depressed yesterday. Feeling sorry for myself…sitting on the couch (one more night)! While watching the Grammys my mood picked up. It may have been the music or maybe it was Adele’s remarkable recovery.

Congrats Adele! (I added some of your songs to my playlist…can’t wait to run listening to them..)

Happy Running! Did you watch the Grammys? (Don’t forget my giveaway which ends today!)

February 10, 2012 by Darlene

Friday Ramblings

Quote from Runner’s World:

“I spent four weeks in total numbness. Six months later, I started running. I could only do ten minutes at a time, but I kept going because I knew that running would get me my life back.” — Ryon Lane, who shattered his C4 vertebra in a 2008 diving accident

My injury is not as bad as some….though not runnning is frustrating. Give me patience until I can get my life back!

me now

the day I died

On another note — Watch this video:

Run…run..run by the Explorer Club

Lyrics

Love it!!

Also love the new TV show Smash so far. Loved Debra Messing in Will & Grace. Katherine McPhee‘s voice is amazing!

Happy Running! Enjoy your weekend!

February 9, 2012 by Darlene

TTT + 1 – 6 weeks down…

1. Still trying to get out of the house from time to time:

Fri. Mah Jongg
car ride to Saratoga Lake
Super Bowl Party
grocery shopping in a handicapped cart
1/2 day at the office on Tues. and a 1 hr meeting yesterday

2. I am still working from home. Booorrrrrrrrring!

3. Knitting update – The scarf is done! I plan to start on socks.

4. Has anyone watched Smash? I dvred it…just wondering?

Happy Running! Are you enjoying this warm winter? Still time to enter my Giveaway!!

February 8, 2012 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

Sun setting over Saratoga Lake on February 5, 2012:

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Relationship to running? Many many races take place in Saratoga esp. in the park. I have run many of them (Silks & Satins, Run for the Roses, SPAC Rock & Run, Fasig Tipton) and I hope to run them again in addition to new ones (Palio, Great Pumpkin).

Happy Running! I hope you are… happy and running!

February 7, 2012 by Darlene

Book Review and a Giveaway

I was recently contacted by the author of The Ultimate Beginner’s Running Guide to review his book.

I have lots of time (not running) so I gladly agreed.

It wasn’t that long ago that I started running and in many ways, I still considered myself a “beginning” runner. I was lucky to be able to join a running group (No Boundaries) and have a mentor plus lots of support. But I wish I had read a book like this one.

It covers everything related to running, such as preventing injuries, what to eat, how to dress, how to pace yourself, how to advance in speed, distance or both, the older runner, and running at different stages of your life. I also like the way it summarizes each topic.

Even if you are not a beginning runner, it is a good refresher and it may help you correct things that you are doing wrong (such as your stride).

My only critique is the lack of pictures (I am a visual learner.) and that it doesn’t address different training based on distance (5k vs half marathon).

But even if you don’t win this giveaway, it’s a good deal for $2.99 from Amazon.

The author was nice enough to let me giveaway 3 digital copies of his book.

To win a digital copy of The Ultimate Beginner’s Running Guide, here’s what to do:

Mandatory-

Subscribe by Email or Follow the Feed to my My First 5K Blog (+1 comment)
Tell me why you started running & what is your top running goal. (+1 comment)

Extra Credit –

Like My First 5K in FaceBook (+1 comment)
List my blog on your Blogroll (+1 comment)
Share this giveaway on your blog, Twitter and/or FaceBook (+1 comment for each)

Deadline is February 13, 2012. The winner will be announced on February 14, 2012.

Happy Running! Good Luck!

February 6, 2012 by Darlene

Monday Motivation

FleetFeet Gift Card

Look what I got from a wonderful bunch of ladies!!

Strong Running Mamas

Fleet Feet’s No Boundaries program is how I started running. And it is an awesome place to buy running clothes, shoes, etc.

So I NEED to run again to use this gift card!! Isn’t that good motivation?

One more thing:

Madonna rocked at age 53!

Happy Running! Did you enjoy the game yesterday?

February 5, 2012 by Darlene

Nostalgia

When you can’t run, do you constantly lament: “Last year at this time...”?

Yup, I do…

So …last year this weekend I was running my first 4 miler…The Polar Cap Race in Lake George with AJH.

pic taken by AJH

It was cold but I was happily running a new race.

happy to be approaching the finish line

We both won Age Group awards.

Polar Cap - 2nd place in AG

That was last year… AJH is running that race again. I know she will do well and win another award.

I was there in spirit! I hope to be there running it next year!!

Happy Running!

February 4, 2012 by Darlene

A Legend…

Photo: Tony Duffy/Getty Images

If you have never watched this video, you must (with tissues nearby):

Joan Benoit 1984

Of course, I remember the 1984 Olympics in LA. I was actually in Israel at the time. No interest in running. I think I watched the gymnastics events only.

Joan qualified for the race 2 weeks after having knee surgery!!!

Then I started running. And Joan Benoit Samuelson has become my IDOL… She is in her 50s and she is STILL running. (Our birthdays are both in MAY too!)

I actually met and talked to her last June at the Freihofer Run for Women Expo. (I even got her autograph.)

I would love someday to run the Beach to Beacon 10k.

Happy Running! Who is your running idol or inspiration?

February 3, 2012 by Darlene

One Race I Will No Longer Run

It was just announced that Susan G. Komen for a Cure, America’s largest charity to fight breast cancer, will no longer fund a program that provides free or low-cost breast cancer screenings for millions of women who get their health care from Planned Parenthood. This is a huge blow.

In abruptly pulling nearly $1,000,000 in funding for breast cancer screenings, the Susan G. Komen foundation cited a sham “investigation” into Planned Parenthood launched by Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns, one of the most militant anti-choice members of Congress…

You can get more information and sign the petition at the link below:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/komen_2/?r_by=-5081570-GmSoeyx&rc=paste1

I have run this 5k four times