Share Four Somethings is a monthly link-up that Heather Gerwing started back in 2018. The concept is to share the same four topics every month as a way to look back and recap your month. The link-up opens on the 4th Saturday of every month and stays open for one week.

The topics for 2022 are: Something Loved. Something Gleaned, Something Braved or Saved and Something Achieved.

Feel free to join her.  I’m adapting it and changing the post date obviously.

1.Something Loved.

Racing, of course. And Trails and Boating.  But most importantly, time with friends and family.

2.Something Gleaned

It actually came from a birthday card:

Substitute Running/Racing for “Life.”

You can get all the advice in the world, follow recommended training plans, wear the perfect clothes, eat healthy foods, do the right workouts and the results rarely make us happy.

So we obsess…

Should I run longer training runs?  Should I do more drills? Could I have run faster?  Is my form correct?  Should I increase my cadence?  Longer or shorter stride?  Do I shuffle? Yada yada.

So why not try as the card says:

Worry less, laugh more, just wing it and be happy!!

3.Something Braved

For the first time since March 2020, I taught a live class (in Queens, NY).  I’ve been teaching remotely which is a lot different besides being impersonal, you read your content (a script).

Of course, an in-person class is harder since you have to have the content memorized but it is more rewarding seeing those persons whom you are training in front of you.  They are engaged and have to pay attention (and hopefully learning a lot.)

The downside is the threat of COVID and being indoors (and not able to wear a mask all day) all day as well as riding the subway to and from.

the inside of this building is much more pleasant

my lab

4. Something Achieved

I am more than halfway toward my 1000 mile annual running goal.  It’s only a goal but it proves that I had been running consistently all year and not injured.

So far, so good.

513 miles!!

And I’ve run 20 races so far this year!! And you know how I love to race!

A few of my local favorites:

and because it’s Friday, I’m adding one more:

5. Something Read or Watched

Not much on the TV front – most shows are on hiatus and I am not a big TV watcher (esp. in the summer).

I did see this movie (in the theatre). I enjoyed it so much (and went with friends). At some point, I’d like to see Top Gun (with the hubby).

On the reading front, I try to read everyday… so yes, I read a lot of books. Here are a few:

Happy Running! Anything to share on the topics above or one of your own? 

Welcome to Fit Friday Five! Please join the hosts Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida

and add your link below:

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Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month (for me a Tuesday), Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Read, Something Treasured, and Something Ahead. Sharing these four somethings is a great way to recap your month and highlight what stood out to you. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!

1. Something Loved.

Election Results

I try not to be political on this blog. But what I love that that we’ve broken the glass ceiling and have a FEMALE vice-president.

how cool is that? A runner as VP.

And the wife of the new President is also a runner.

Jill Biden reports to run or exercise EVERYDAY

Are you excited about having Kamala as the new VP? Did you know Jill was a runner?

2. Something Read.

I borrowed this from a co-worker and I was anxious to read it since A Man Called Ove is one of my favorite books.

It is about a bank robbery gone wrong, a hostage situation, an apartment-viewing, relationships, parenthood, friendship, forgiveness… I could go on and on.

As with all his books, it was humorous and touching at the same time. I might have shed a tear or two at the end.

Have you read this or Backman’s other novels?

3. Something Treasured.

My Running Friends

Most (or maybe all) are not training for long races like I am.  Yet they offer to run with me.  They show up on Saturdays even if they not running. They support me (even if they think I’m crazy.)

I got the hiking bug and they eagerly joined me.

Do you have people that you have treasured during this pandemic?  

4. Something Ahead.

A visit to NYC and a real race.  I am using my free hotel points and cross my fingers that it will be safe to do this.

Dec. 6, 2020

NYC is always a magical place around the holidays.  Pics below are from 2019.

 I am sure it will be different this year.

Are you looking forward to anything (besides the end of the Pandemic)?

and since it is Friday…

5. Something Learned

Carpe Diem

Yes, Seize the Day because life is indeed short.  The Pandemic has shown us that.  Be Safe (wear that mask if you are indoors or closer than 6ft outdoors!!) but don’t overthink things and miss opportunities. Don’t procrastinate. Get out there.

Has the Pandemic made you less spontaneous?

Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month, Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, Something Read. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!

Oops I’m late on January and early on February…

1. Something Loved.

Visiting NYC.

This may be repetitive but there will come a time when I don’t get to go here as often.  So I feel fortunate that in January I went twice…

Once for work:

And once for a race:

I always make sure that I take advantage of the opportunity…whether it be a meet-up with friends, trying a new restaurant, seeing a show or just going for a walk or run.

What is  your favorite city to visit?

2. Something Said.

I read this on the Gaboronerrunner’s IG post and it seemed so appropriate as it was said by Kobe Bryant:

I have self doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure… We all have self doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate it. You embrace it.

This so applies to running… especially when tackling running challenges.

I think I feel this way at EVERY race starting line….

Do you?

3. Something Learned.

I have always said “Pain is temporary.”

But during my recent foot discomfort, I learned that maybe pain is not temporary…maybe it will persist.  For days, weeks, months….

If running is important in your life, then you run with pain.

we both had foot pain during this tough half marathon

(Of course, not if the pain is something that will be made worse if you continue to run with it.)

Do you still run when you have pain?

4. Something Read.

I recently finished reading this book. In fact, I couldn’t put it down.  I read the whole thing on the bus ride to and from NYC.

The story follows two timelines that slowly intertwine. The first timeline describes the life and adventures of a young girl named Kya as she grows up isolated in the marsh of North Carolina from 1952–1969. The second timeline follows a murder investigation of Chase Andrews, a local celebrity of Barkley Cove, a fictional coastal town of North Carolina.

I loved this book. It’s a story of survival, abuse, loneliness, love, prejudice, murder.

And yes, many have said that it didn’t seem realistic but if you can get beyond that, you will enjoy it.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think?

4. Something New.

Chair Yoga.  Who knew that this would add a smile to my boring day at work.

So relaxing. No equipment needed nor any clothes to change into.

Anyone else try chair yoga? If so, did you like it?

It’s Friday so I’m 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.

Happy Running! What are your FOUR or Five somethings? Share at least ONE. 

Girls Valentine’s Day for me this year!!

Since it is VALENTINE’S DAY, what or whom are you LOVING today?

Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a new link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month, Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, Something Read. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!

It’s time even though it’s Friday. LOL

1. Something Loved.

Marathon Weekend.

Not just the race but

• the day preceding: the expo, the Meb talk and carb-loaded dinner and dessert
• the day of: hanging with Cari beforehand, crossing that finish line, post race dinner and bar chat
• the day after: Normatec boots, climbing the Vessel and brunch with friends

and PERFECT weather all three days

I am a lucky lady.

2. Something Said.

I attended a talk by Meb the day before the NYC Marathon…so I’m kinda obsessed with things that he has said:

“Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best.”

Words to live by, for sure.

“But I also realize that winning doesn’t always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself.”

In other words, celebrate finish lines not finish times. And if you do your best, you are a winner.

“Nobody said it’s going to be easy. You have to dig into yourself. Think about your family. Think about the journey itself. THINK IN THE MOMENT.”

Definitely true!!! About a marathon or any challenge in life.

3. Something Learned.

I know it’s corny but I learned that:

I ran 26.2 miles at age 66. With plates and screws in one ankle. With many shortened or missed weekday runs.

I was not sure that I could run a marathon especially one as hard as NYC.

Now I know that I can.

4. Something Read.

I recently finished reading this book. It’s about the power of words and thoughts. If you were told the day of your death, would you live differently? What if you knew you had only 5 years…what about 50 more? Would such knowledge predetermine the knowledge of a date becoming the truth of the date? This is a story that indirectly asks these questions. Four siblings visit a fortune teller who gives them each a date. The trouble is, they are just children and this knowledge (whether true or not) directs all their future choices. Interesting story of the power of influence and belief.

5. Something Seen.

Hamilton on Broadway

and Les Miserables, the Concert movie.

I absolutely loved Hamilton and Les Miz is my all time favorite show and sound track.

On cloud nine.