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?

Those places I have seen.

the trails in Palm Desert, CA

the shores of the Atlantic in Palm Beach FL

the boardwalk in Asbury Park, NJ

These captivating locales would not have been seen by me if I wasn’t a runner.

The bling.

3rd

Medals and prizes. These captivating objects also have come into my possession only due to running.

The people whom I have met.

running and chatting with Joan Benoit Samuelson

local and not so local bloggers

getting my bib signed by Frank Shorter

these amazing STEM volunteer runners

All captivating. Some famous. Some not. If I had not been a runner, I would not have made their acquaintance.

Accomplishments

finishing a heat cancelled half.

completing 13.1 miles after serious ankle surgery

Half in Naples, Florida

My first HALF!!

I have done things that I never thought possible. Running has given me a sense of purpose, a feeling of self-confidence

and has CAPTIVATED me.

Happy Running! How has running or something else captivated you?

February 23, 2016 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Race Medals

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

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This week’s topic is Favorite Race Medals

Most of my medals come from half marathons. And I love them ALL! I mean they mean that I actually ran 13.1 miles!!!

I have won a lot of age group awards so I have medals from those races and a few from some shorter distances.

It was hard to choose but I’d say that these are my favorites:

Sarasota Music Half Marathon 2016

Of course, this is from my most recent half marathon. I just loved this race course.

Naples Daily News Half Marathon 2011

A medal from my first ever half marathon…what more can I say?

First Watch Half Marathon 2013

This was from another half in Florida. It was my first half marathon after my ankle surgery plus I love dolphins. I think that this is my heaviest medal.

Walkway Half Marathon 2015

Walkway Half Marathon

This is one of the few medals that I have that is not made of metal – it is made out of wood.

RNR Brooklyn Half Marathon 2015

This is the arch in Prospect Park where the race began. This was the first time I had been back to Brooklyn since I was 5 years old. I used to live near there when I was little.

The Love Run 2014

I’ll never forgot running 13.1 miles in a monsoon rainstorm in order to get this medal.

Adirondack Distance Run 2014

This was from a bucket list 10 miler that I ran along Lake George. The race ends at the marina where we keep our boat.

Freihofer Run for Women 2012

They don’t normally give medals for this 5k but in 2012 you were able to purchase one. I only did because I got a discounted registration so it didn’t cost me much. I didn’t know at the time that I would break my ankle and that this would be my first run. So this medal is very meaningful to me.

Happy Running! Where did you get your favorite medal? Why is it your favorite?

February 15, 2015 by Darlene

DIY Medal & Bib Hanger and Giveaway Winner

Yes, I could have ordered one like this:

But it was more fun to make my own (and cheaper).

I bought a wood shelf at Joann’s (with a 50% off coupon). I also bought some adhesive letters there.

Then I bought 4 long screws & 2 cup hooks at Lowe’s.

I spray painted everything white (cuz I had white paint). I added the letters when dry and VOILA:

It’s not awesome but definitely functional and cost less than $10 to make.

Of course, it seemed bigger until I put stuff on it. I only hung bibs with race names on them (& one per race). But all my bling fit…for now.

In the future, I would like to make a separate one for my half marathon medals and keep this one for all the age group awards.

And the winners of my Runner’s Choice giveaway are:

Stacey R
HoHo Runs

Send an e-mail to dsc59@nycap.rr.com) with your mailing address.

Since I can give away one more bottle, comment here if you want it.

Happy Running! What do you do with your race medals & bibs?

December 9, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays of the Run: Show Off Your Bling!

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: Show Off Your Bling!

With over 100 races and 9 half marathons, I have a lot of medals!

Here are some of my favorites:

my first half marathon in Naples, FL

another half in Florida – my first after my ankle surgery & I love dolphins – this is my heaviest medal

a fun but wet half in Philly & a my biggest medal

my favorite 5k – I had to buy this but little did I know at the time that this would mean that I could run again (after my serious ankle injury)

a recent 10 miler in NJ – it was a PR

a recent 10K – also a PR – I loved this race

a bucket list 10 miler in Lake George

I also have a lot of Age Group awards – here are a few of the ones I like:

And for the non-medal variety:

it’s a rock

Polar Cap - 2nd place in AG

Happy Running! What is your favorite race bling?

February 27, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday: HM Motivation

This is the 2013 finisher’s medal – largest in Florida! Can’t wait to wear it!

And if that doesn’t motivate me to drag myself 13.1 painful miles…

A girl can dream.

All joking aside, my motivation is the feeling of “pride, satisfication and just plain awesomeness” in completing 13.1 miles.

Happy Running! What motivates you to finish a long race?

February 22, 2013 by Darlene

Love the Bling

I just got my medal for completing the Sandy Hook Memorial Virtual 5k. (But more importantly was that the money went to a great cause!!)

Of course, I don’t run races for the bling but it is fun getting it!! Each of my medals tell a story.

This is 2012 - supposed to be the largest in Florida!

This is the 2012 Sarasota Half medal – supposed to be the largest in Florida! I wonder what 2013 will look like? It will the one from my 1st half after a year of injuries.

My most precious: