December 20, 2022 by Darlene

TT: Bling in 2022

Last week’s topic was: Show us your year in bling!

Believe it or not, I did run 34 races this year (and only one was virtual).

Many more than during the pandemic years and I am very proud of each medal/bling that I received/earned.

Half Marathons:

Other distances: (5k, 3.5m, 3.75m, 4m. 5.7m, 5.8m,10k, 15K, 10M)

Most races around here if they are not half marathons do not give out medals.

Age Group Awards:

Electric City 5 miler – 2nd
Delmar Dash – 1st
Sasha’s Super Hero 5k – 1st
Prospect Mountain Road Race – 2nd
Tropicool 5k – 2nd
Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k – 2nd
Race to the Lakes 15k – 2nd
Firecracker 4 – 2nd
Al Goldstein 5k – 1st
Steel Rail Half Marathon – 1st
Run for the Roses 5k – 1st
Run 4 the River Half Marathon – 3rd
Malta 5k – 3rd
Great Pumpkin Challenge 5k – 2nd
Summer Smith Memorial 5k – 1st
Upstate Classic Half Marathon – 1st
Troy Turkey Trot 10k – 3rd

My favorite awards, however, were not medals but usable items such as glasses, hat, gloves.

And remember, the older you are, the better your chance of winning in your age group. You don’t have to be fast to win. Sometimes, you just have to show up!

Happy Running! Did you run many races this year? What is your favorite bling from 2022? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

November 19, 2022 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 11.13.22-11.20.22: Race Week!

Bookend Races.

15k last Sunday and half marathon today!!

Last Week:

Sunday – Stockade-athon 15K Race.

I really enjoy running local races (even if they are hard!!) This was no exception.

It was not as cold as I expected and though it was far from my best finish time, it was faster than last year. And seeing so many runners that I knew was icing on the cake.

Monday – My scheduled day off.

I was happy that my friend was available to accompany me on a hike or two. We decided not to drive far (since I had to be home early for a vet appt.)

First stop was a wet walk around Ooms Conservation Area.

Our second was at Wilson M. Powell Wildlife Sanctuary to Dorsons Rock.

We ended the day with a delicious lunch.

Looking ahead to my work schedule and potential snow, I decided I’d better get a run done. It was dark so I headed to UAlbany.

Tuesday – Another frosty morning so I postponed my run until lunch.

Wednesday – Woke up to snow on the ground which changed to rain…

Back to in-person teaching so no time to run except after work (and bring clothes to change into). I was pooped so decided to skip the run (and I had already run 3 days in a row.)

Thursday – Stopped at Starbucks on my way to work… who knew it was Red Cup Day!!

Back to UAlbany for my after work run since it is the only route with lights near me.

Friday – Rest Day! No need to pack the running clothes!! Woo Hoo!

Stopped off on my way home to pick up my bib for Sunday’s race.

And played mah jongg in the evening.

Saturday – Another Rest Day and a walk with my running friends followed by brunch.

chose the Corning bike path but oops, the Girls on the Ru 5k was there too

And then picked up my bib for my Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.

Sunday – Upstate Classic Half Marathon!!

a cold windy day so my first race in tights…

This will be the 3rd time that I’ve run this hilly half marathon (and the 4th time on this course). It will be my last half of 2022 and most likely my hardest.

Being local, I know it will be fun and worth the struggle.

14 years ago today, we formed a group to play mah jongg every Friday night. Tonight we are going out to dinner to celebrate.

13 year anniversary dinner

This Coming Week on the Run–

Monday – rest day
Tuesday – run, hair appt
Wednesday – rest day
Thursday – Troy Turkey Trot 10k Race
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – Long Run (9 miles)
Sunday – rest day, hiking?

This Coming Week on the Blog –

Tuesday – Stockade-athon 15K Race Recap
Friday – Runfessions

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races run or planned? Has the weather been winter-like where you live

December 14, 2021 by Darlene

TT: 2021 in Bling

This week’s topic is: Show us your year in bling!

Believe it or not, I did run 21 22 in-person races this year.

Not as many as pre-pandemic years so my bling stash is lower but still, I am very proud of each medal that I received/earned.

Half Marathons:

Publix Half Marathon in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon
Run 4 the River Half Marathon
Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon in NH
Upstate Classic Half Marathon

Other distances: (5.7m, 10m, 5k, 10k)

Prospect Mountain Road Race
Miles Along the Mohawk
Freihofer Run for Women
Troy Turkey Trot

Virtual Races/Challenges:

Hot Chocolate 15K
Feel the Bern 5k
NYCRuns Challenge
Numerous free Strava and NYRR Virtual races

: 1000 miles was my goal for the year

Age Group Awards:

Bacon Hill Bonanza – 1st
Rabbit Ramble – 1st
Run for the Roses – 2nd
Whipple City – 1st
Malta 5k – 3rd
Summer Smith Memorial – 1st
Upstate Classic – 2nd
Troy Turkey Trot – 3rd

Happy Running! What is your favorite bling from 2021? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

December 8, 2020 by Darlene

2020 Bling

Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)

The Topic for today is: Show us your year in bling?

2020 was not a big year for “real” races so obviously my collection of bling was not large as in a normal year. Still, I did collect a few medals & swag.

In Person Races

: Fred LeBow HM

: Polar Cap Run

: ZOOMA Bermuda Lighthouse Run

: ZOOMA Bermuda HM

: ZOOMA Bermuda Challenge

: Upstate Classic HM

Virtual Races

: NYC HM

: Social Distance Challenge HM

: Earth Day 5k

: Freihofers Run 5k

: The Year Shit Became Real Virtual 5k

: Steel Rail HM

: Smuttynose HM

: Amy’s Adventure Run

: ZOOMA Amelia Is. HM

Virtual Challenges

: Race Across NYS

: Run for Ruth

: 3 Virtual 5ks

Age Group Awards

: Polar Cap Run

: Malta 5k & 10K – 1st

Which ones were my favorite(s)?

The medals from the in-person races. Those are actually the ones where I feel that I “earned” the bling.

The others were just from runs. Those medals don’t have much meaning for me (though some are very nice.) But I did appreciate all of the swag that I received from many of the virtual events (esp. the gaiters).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

Happy Running! Did you get a lot of bling this year? Which was your favorite? Please share.

December 14, 2018 by Darlene

Friday Five – Bling 2018

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

My Topic this week is: My Favorite Bling for 2018

It’s all about the bling, right?

1.Age Group Award for Ice Cream Social 5k

2. Medal from the 20km de Paris

3. Mug from Tropicool 5k

4. Necklace from 40th Anniversary Freihofer Run for Women

5. Car Magnet from the Race to the Lakes 15K

Honorable Mention to the Pint Glass from Shamrock Shuffle

Happy Running! What is your favorite bling from this year of running?

February 13, 2018 by Darlene

TOTR: What I Love Most About Running

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s topic appropriately is What I Love Most About Running.

Image result for love running

I could go on and on but I will limit it… (they are not in order of importance… they are actually listed in reverse order.)

Bling

Yup, it’s cool to get medals.

Opportunities to Travel

I don’t travel as much as other runners but I have gotten to visit California, Florida, Vermont, Philly and NJ.

: Sarasota, FL

: Palm Springs, CA

: Burlington, VT

Races

I would race every weekend if I could.

: Winter Series 10k

: 2016

: France Run 8K

Running Friends

They are the best….

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4/30 – 10k

Prizes awarded based on your Age

I love that that I am only competing with other women and the ones that are in my age group.

Blogging

If I didn’t run, I probably wouldn’t blog and I would have missed out on meeting some fabulous ladies.

: this aventure was definitely worth taking time off without pay)

Opportunities to Inspire Others

Never doubt that you can have an impact on someone else. You can.

How it makes me feel

Healthy, strong, confident, empowered, young(er)…

RD-IloveRun-500x500

Happy Running! What do you LOVE the most about running.

February 14, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Stuff I Love about Running

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s topic is Stuff I Love About Running.

I could go on and on but I will limit it to EIGHT great things:

1. Bling

Yup, it’s cool to get medals.

2. Opportunities to Travel

I don’t travel as much as other runners but I have gotten to visit California, Florida, Vermont, Philly and NJ.

: Sarasota, FL

: Palm Springs, CA

: Burlington, VT

3. Races

I would race every weekend if I could.

: Winter Series 10k

: 2016

: Celebrate Life HM

4. Running Friends

They are the best….

: 4/30 – 10k

5. Prizes awarded based on your Age

I love that that I am only competing with other women and the ones that are in my age group.

6. Blogging

If I didn’t run, I probably wouldn’t blog and I would have missed out on meeting some fabulous ladies.

: this aventure was definitely worth taking time off without pay)

7. Opportunities to Inspire Others

Never doubt that you can have an impact on someone else. You can.

8. How it makes me feel

Healthy, strong, empowered, young(er)…

Happy Running! Tell me something you LOVE about running.

Don’t forget my giveaway – TOMORROW is the last day – enter it here!!

December 27, 2016 by Darlene

My Award Picks for 2016 (& TOTR)

Last year I linked up with Montana from Pretty Lil Mudder and bunch of other bloggers to give out some awards to the races that I ran. It was fun so I decided to do it again.

Since I ran 43 races, I had no problem finding a race for each category but it was difficult to just pick ONE race.

Most Scenic Course –

I loved having views of the Gulf while running the Music Half Marathon (in Sarasota, FL).

: on the bridge early in the race

: Feb 2016 – freezing in Sarasota, Fla

It was also awesome to run with views of the fall foliage and the river during the Ramblefest Half Marathon (in Adams, MA).

this is the trail we ran on (but in the rain)

Most Challenging Course –

Hills are not my friend so I’d say that the most challenging course was Celebrate Life Half Marathon (in the Catskill Mountains).

There were quite a few rolling hills in the Lake George Half Marathon too.

Best Course Support (aid stations, volunteers, people cheering you on, etc) –

Again, the crowds come out in mass to support the Vermont City Marathon runners. People were out there cheering the whole race and there was an abundance of water stations and volunteers even during the heart wave. (There were literally life savers for me and others running this race.)

Best Expo –

Vermont City Marathon had the best expo. In fact, of the 7 half marathons, this was the only big expo that I attended.

2016

Technically the NYC Marathon had the best expo but I didn’t run that race but went to it to pick up my bib for the 5k.

Best Swag –

In addition to the normal race shirt, at the Apple Run 5k, you got a backpack, sunglasses, water bottle, and other goodies.

: a cool backpack filled lots of goodies

Most Unique Medal/Award –

The most unique medal I received was the handmade wood one from the Camp Chingachgook Challenge.

I get tons of medals for age group awards so I was excited to get something different. I loved winning a Fitbit & $25 gift card to LL Bean at the LL Bean Bright Night 5k and $50 gift card to the Recovery Room restaurant and champagne at the Malta 5k.

I also like to get practical things. So winning this baseball hat at the Saratoga Palio Half Marathon was great. I’ve already worn it several times.

Best Post-Race Food/Beverages –

Definitely one of the reasons I run the Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k is the food. They have chocolate milk (from a nearby farm), homemade cookies & muffins, chili, pizza, vegetarian rice dish, etc.

But the Sarasota Music Half Marathon also had an amazing breakfast buffet.

Best Race Shirt-

On the whole, I didn’t love most of my race shirts. But I guess my favorite would be the sweatshirt that we received at the Celebrate Life Half Marathon.

Favorite Overall Race –

That’s a tough one. I enjoyed so many of my races this year.

I’d have to say the Dash the Finish 5k because I got to run in NYC with three Russian ladies and cross the NYC Marathon finish line.

And of course, the Panama City Beach Half Marathon. Running and spending the weekend with seven blogger/friends was amazing and #HoLottaFun.

: this aventure was definitely worth taking time off without pay)

Race You Are Most Proud of Yourself for Completing –

I am proud of completing ALL my races. None ever seem easy. I am especially proud that I can run 13.1 miles!!

But I would have to say that I am proud that I finished the Vermont City Marathon Relay because of how difficult the weather conditions were.

crossing the finish line even though the race had been cancelled & I had to fight to get a medal.

And the Ramblefest Half Marathon because it my only PR this year and it was cold, raining and totally unexpected.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Happy Running! What awards would you give to the races you ran in 2016?

August 23, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Race Memorabilia

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Race Memorabilia

So I’ve run over 200 races. That’s a lot of stuff!!

Bibs:

I have them ALL shoved away somewhere – not on display cuz I have too many. My favorite ones are in a basket near my medals.

Medals:

this rack has 2 rows and holds 20 medals on each. The outer row has my half medals. Now what will I do with #21?

Again. I save them all. I have too many to display. I display ALL my half marathon medals and some others. Most again are in that basket.

Awards:

Some I’ve eaten (the food ones LOL). Some I wear (hats, socks gloves, etc.) Some I use (bottles, bowls, glasses, mugs, etc.) Most are on the desk below the rack above or in that basket.

Other Stuff:

I give away the shirts that don’t fit. I had some old ones made into a blanket. I usually just toss bags and heat sheets.

My Favorites:

a tough half and unexpected AG award – love this bridge too

This is a Rock and it is my 5k PR

Happy Running! What do you do with your race bling?

August 3, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Captivate

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.

Today’s word is captivate or to attract and hold the interest and attention of.

So how’s does running captivate me?