biking

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Welcome October…Welcome Fall!

September was a pretty busy month even though it didn’t go as planned.

This is what I had hoped:

  • Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals – not really but I had good intentions
  • Lower my 5K time – actually I did but not by as much I would have liked
  • Lower my 10K time – nope because I changed my mind & didn’t run the 10K
  • Start yoga – nope here too
  • Join a gym and work out – well, I didn’t really think this would happen

about 8 of those miles were walked 😦

But let’s focus on the good things that happened in September.

  • I ran in four races.

showing off my medal from the 4.4 Chase Away Leukemia race

  • I finished a 5K in less than 30 minutes.

doing it at the MPBA 5k

  • The weather cooperated and we had some more boating weekends.

cool but sunny day on Lake George

  • I started my weekly tennis contract and am enjoying it.
  • I stayed in my friend’s house on Schroon River 2 more times (for running, mah jongg). Love it there!

view from the house

  • I got a surprise visit from my friend in Russia.

at the NY Botanical Gardens

  • I am enjoying the foliage in the Northeast.

Hiking on the Indian Ladder Trail at Thatcher State Park

  • I rode my bike (1x)

at the Nisky bike trail along the Mohawk R.

  • I used the treadmill once.
  • I won a healthy receipe contest at work AND I won $25 gift card to Walmarts (from The Happy Runner).

this was my prize at work

For October, I am going to go out on a limb and try to:

  • Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals (that means long runs on the weekend)
  • Run at a more consistant & faster pace
  • Start yoga
  • Join a gym and work out
  • Lose weight
  • Eat healthy

Happy Running!  How was your September?  Anything different planned for October?

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Healthy Friday

I bet you never thought you’d hear the word HEALTHY here.

But this has been a healthy week.

On Wednesday, my work sponsored a potluck lunch:

I made Broccoli Slaw Salad and I won for “Best Use of a Super Food.”

It was a great idea.  I tasted some great (healthy) food and got some new recipes (which I may or may not use.)  Two of my favorites were Tomato Soup Cake and Veggie Pasta Toss (which also had broccoli slaw in it.)

(Truthfully, I don’t have time to cook  😦  and I just won a FREE week of the Standard Fruit & Vegetable Subscription from FieldGoods)

Anyway, here’s my recipe if you are interested:

Ingredients:

  • 1 package broccoli slaw mix
  • 2 packages chicken flavored ramen noodles (crushed)
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted peanuts
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • Âź cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup vinegar
  • optional – dried cranberries

Directions:

  1. Combine in a large bowl slaw, noodles, green onions.
  2. Whisk together sugar, oil, vinegar, ramen seasoning packets.
  3. Pour mixture over salad and toss.
  4. Add peanuts, sunflower seeds (& cranberries)

This week also I was selected as a Sweat Pink Ambassador (SPA) from fitapproach.com.

Here is their mission:

We believe that kicking ass is best done in  pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede  that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking  great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick…

in pink

That convinced me (and that I wear pink often to run.)

in pink again

If you are interested too (and like pink shoelaces), check out their website and apply.

Now about my running this week…

Sun – no running but biked
Mon – no running but played tennis
Tues – no running but walked around NYC
Wed – ran 3 miles and walked around the mall
Thurs – no running but walked at lunch
Friday – no running but will walk at lunch

5 days of NO RUNNING and I am NOT INJURED. WTH?

I wonder how that will affect my race tomorrow!!!

Happy Running! Do you eat healthy?  Do you ever get sidetracked and skip running?

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Reconnecting With an Old Friend

This was the first weekend since Memorial Day that neither me nor my hubby went boating on Lake George.

With the storm predicted for yesterday, it was out of the question.  But today we should have but didn’t.  The day turned out to be nice weather-wise.

After errands, house cleaning and laundry, I was restless.  I was very tempted to run but I know that after running 6 miles yesterday, it wouldn’t be smart.

So I turned to an old friend.  We haven’t seen each other since May 21.

first post injury ride back in March

During March, April and May – those months when I couldn’t walk or run, she saved me. She was there to comfort me and keep me active.

Ever since I started running, I haven’t given her a second glance.

Today, I decided to dust her off and take her to the Nisky bike path (where I took her on my first ride & coincidentally where I broke my ankle.)

together again

First I headed east.  Without a Garmin, I have no idea how far…maybe 3-4 miles.  I quickly realized that you use different muscles when you ride a bike than when you run.  My quads are very out of shape. I rode very slowly and enjoyed the peace and quiet of my surroundings.

helicopter circling the river

When I got back to where I started, I was tempted to quit but forced myself to ride a few miles west.

view of the Mohawk River looking west

My legs were tired when I was done but in a good way.  Biking is very relaxing and stress-free.  No pressure.  I’m not training. I’m not worried about pace or distance. I just ride.

I am glad I spent time with my old friend.  I hope to do it more often this fall.

Happy Running!  Do you do another sport besides running just for fun?

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July Recap – Where has the summer gone?

What happened in July?

The Good:

  • My mileage has increased. 64 miles this month!!! Woo Hoo!
  • I ran several 4 milers. (It’s still a struggle but it’s a start.)
  • I ran in a 5k race. (My pace was better than the last one. Love.Racing.)
  • I played tennis 4 times. (I’m rusty but enjoyed it)
  • The weather has been perfect for boating and relaxing on the weekends. (YAY!!)

The Not So Good:

  • Lunchtime hour walks have disappeared. (lazy, lazy, lazy – boo!)
  • Biking has been nonexistent. (no time & bike rack is on my hubby’s truck)
  • Stretching & icing- oops – none of that either. (Bad Girl!)
  • Running is still a struggle aerobically…too much walking…pace too slow…blah, blah, blah
  • Ankle is still painful…(almost all the time) YUCK!

Basically my plans for August are almost exactly the same as for July:

  • running (4 times per week)
  • faster running (fewer walk breaks)
  • longer runs (5 miles or more)
  • another 5K race (hopefully faster than the last one)
  • tennis (once a week)
  • boating on weekends
  • reading (when not watching the Olympics)
  • fun times with friends & family

In addition, I should go back to stretching, to walking at lunch & to biking (on non-run days).  No promises here but I will try!!!

Sorry Ankle…I’ve neglected you!

Happy Running!  How was your July?  Anything different planned for August?

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My Favorite Month Has Ended…

May was a pretty good month:

went on my tennis vacation to Florida

turned 59 on 5-9

got to visit with my Russian friend Anna

started boating on Lake George

did a lot of biking

ran my first mile

Here were my May Goals:

  • Continue PT 1-2x per week. Yes, except when on vacation.
  • Do exercises on my own, as well 1-2x per day. Yes, but not a diligently as before.
  • Use exercise bike and/or treadmill at work on days with no PT. Yes, when raining bcause I have been walking outside.
  • Go biking outdoors 1-2x per week. Yes and everyday when on vacation.
  • Go for walks outside. Yes, everyday at lunch.
  • Run outside (at least a few steps or maybe on a track.) Yes, one mile on dirt/sand 4 times so far
  • Hit a few tennis balls (maybe practice serving or volleying) Yes, while on vacation.
  • STAY POSITIVE!! Trying but it is tough!

So I think I’ve met all my goals in recent months so it’s time to switch things up.

June Goals:

  • Run/Walk a 5k in less than 45 min.
  • Run a mile in less than 12 min/mile
  • Run 3 miles (with few walk breaks)
  • Sign up for a 5k

How’s that for optimism?

Happy Running!  How did you do in May?

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Back to Boating and Biking

the marina – our boat in the center left

Saturday was a PERFECT day weatherwise and my first day on Lake George in our boat.  It was great seeing all those familiar faces (I had to repeat my broken ankle story many times.)  We spent the whole day on the lake and then went out to dinner in Bolton Landing with friends. We even stopped for a root beer float on the way home.  Summer fun has begun!

The weather on Sunday was even better.  Unfortunately, I had to go to a bridal shower so we couldn’t go to Lake George.

I started off the day with a bike ride on the Corning Trail.


It was great but I had to rush home to get ready for the shower.


The best part of the shower was seeing my tennis friends again.

It was very warm!! But I have been eating a lot lately…I mean a lot.  So I decided on bike ride #2 in the evening.

This time I went to the Nisky Trail to ride on the Mohawk River.

Old photo – now there is a lot of green

I really enjoyed the peace and quiet of biking alone. (Not as much as running but that will come….).

Today is my hubby’s birthday!  We will celebrate at the lake next weekend.

Tonight I go out to dinner AGAIN…with a bunch of women I used to play tennis with on Mondays.

Happy Running!  Did you enjoy your weekend?

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It’s All About the Ankle

Yes, I had a great time eating, drinking, socializing, laughing, shopping, tanning… and just plain relaxing.

But…

Doesn’t this look like a nice place to run??

and

isn’t this even more inviting??

I just wanted to be running!!!! 5 months of NO RUNNING!!

I’ve had enough!  Anyway, enough said…

  • I rode a bike every morning  between 8:30 and 10:30 am. 
  • There was a gym with an elliptical, bike and treadmill but the weather was too nice to be indoors.  I kept waiting for rain but it never happened.

  • I hit the tennis ball one day between lessons and it felt fine so I hit with the instructor for 45 minutes on another day!! Of course, he didn’t make me run for the ball.
  • I found  2 paths with crushed stones and then one with clay (hard tru) and I ran out and back on them everyday…not sure how far (maybe 1/2 mi?). My gait is still awkward since my ankle is not fully bendable but I RAN!!!!
  • I walked a lot…in town…on the beach.

  • I wore sandals…yay!

Yesterday I went to PT for the first time in 2 weeks.

They said they saw a big improvement…I ran on the treadmill for 20 minutes as usual but I was able to run for 3 min and 4 minutes at a time without walking!!!! 

They said:  “You are no longer sounding like a Clydesdale!!”

Of course, I replied, “When can I run outside?”

The answer: “We’ll watch your ankle on the treadmill next Wed and maybe you can run on a track!”

It’s all about the (still stiff) ankle!!  Arghhh!

Happy Running!

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Vacation is Over!

I’M

8 days of vacation went by so fast!!  Here are the highlights:

bike riding every morning around World Tennis Center

my birthday – 59 on 5-9

birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant – The Turtle Club

cooling off in the pool

shopping trip in Saint Armand’s Circle – Sarasota

playing Scrabble at the beach

It feels great to hold a racquet

heading out to see a play – Steel Magnolias

our annual group photo at The Dock

hitting a few tennis balls

hosting a dinner party in our villa

group photo with our tennis instructor

More details in my next post.

Happy Running! It’s good to be back blogging!

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Vacation Time is Here!

This is our 8th trip together to Naples, Florida. (For some of us, this is our 16th tennis trip – 1 Palm Springs, 5 Las Vegas, 1 Dominican Rep, 1 Delray Beach)

our group & our coach – May 2011

There are 10 of us and we rent 2 villas (from the same lady) in World Tennis Center.

They will be playing tennis everyday from 8-11 am.  I will be bike riding, walking, swimming, photo taking and a combination of these activities while trying not to be depressed.

The highlight of the vacation used to be running every morning and then playing tennis & taking lessons from Billy Bob (love him!)

getting ready to go for a run

 playing tennis

I considered not going but staying home & working while my friends are away having fun would be even worse.

If I get though the mornings, we will be busy the rest of the day with a variety of fun activities such as shopping, eating, theater and of course, hanging out at the beach.

So my vacation will not be perfect but I will be away and with my friends and in a sunny warm climate.  What could be better?? (You know what I would say…)

I won’t have a computer so no posting on this blog for 8 days but I will bring my iPad and if there is wifi, I will be able to post to FB and read your blogs.

I will post pics here when I return.

Happy Running! I will Miss you all!

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Walking For Miles and Miles…


I decided to go back to Colonie Town Park to do my bike ride yesterday.  It was chilly but at least it was sunny.

I rode my bike toward Cohoes.  I knew this time that the way back would be uphill.

I parked my bike and decided to walk a little further to see where it went next.

 
These are  the train tracks that I heard about.  Some people have had wait for the train to pass when running the Hudson-Mohawk Marathon.

Eventually if you keep going, you can hit the Corning Trail on the Hudson River.  Don’t know how far, though.

I completed my 10 mile ride as I did last week and put my bike back on the rack.

I was itching to run but I know that I cannot so I decided to walk.

Walking is painful but it is allowed.  So I walked and walked and walked. I vowed to walk until I saw the Mohawk River.

bridges over 87N.(which crosses the Mohawk)

Then when I did, I kept walking and finally hit the end of the Nisky Trail (that I have run and biked.) Well, the end for me, at least.

I am glad that I walked it. It is quite hilly and my legs & bike brakes aren’t up to it.

I turned around walked all the way back.  It may have only been 4 miles but with a bum ankle, it felt like 10.

had to do it again - only 90 calories!!

They say “You have to crawl before you can walk.”  So I say “You have to walk before you can run.”

So I am walking…

Happy Running!Â