December 13, 2019 by Darlene

Four (or Five) Somethings for November-December

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:

Image result for i can do hard things"

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.

Image result for les miserables concert movie tickets"

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

On cloud nine.

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.

October 29, 2019 by Darlene

Four Somethings for October

I realized that I haven’t done this since JULY!! It’s time even though it’s Tuesday LOL

Something Loved.

Broadway Musicals.

I recently saw Hadestown.

This musical tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus goes to the underworld to rescue his fiancée Eurydice. I thought it was fantastic.

In a few weeks, I’m treating myself to Hamilton. Can’t wait!!!!!

There are few new ones on my list like Moulin Rouge, Jagged Little Pill, Tina, West Side Story…

Darn. I wish they were not so expensive.

I am scheduled to work in NYC in December and January. I’m sure to try to snag some cheap tix while I’m there.

Something Said.

Actually read these somewhere:

I haven’t run my marathon yet, but I did do a 20 miler. And yes, the last 6 miles HURT…a lot!!! But I’ve never been prouder.

I definitely need to remember this!!!

And this…

Yup, 18 weeks of training and it comes down to ONE day.

Something Learned.

I trained for a marathon and it did not take over my life as I feared. (Well, maybe I didn’t train well enough. That shall remain to be seen on Nov. 3.)

I ran 7 races. I went on our boat every weekend possible. I spent a weekend in RI with a college friend, a weekend away with tennis friends and another with mah jongg friends, saw a Broadway show in NYC, met college friends In Poughkeepsie and on and on.

I never refused anything because I HAD TO RUN. I just fit it all in. No rest for the weary as they say.

Something Read.

I’m taking a break from running books. This book was a mystery and I couldn’t put it down.

The Silent Patient

All I will tell you is that an artist shoots her husband 5 times and then refuses to speak. A criminal psychotherapist is determined to get her to talk.

Why? That’s the twist.

There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies and you should too.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

and Wild Workout Wednesday with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle.

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

July 19, 2019 by Darlene

Four (or Five) Somethings for July

Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a new link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month (which is NOT today LOL), 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!

Something Loved.

I used to complain because I travelled for work. All.The.Time. Now I do it rarely. But last month I went to NYC and Buffalo. (No travelling at all for July.) What I LOVED was running in both places.

I didn’t have time to run in Manhattan but I did run a 5k in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

When I was in Buffalo, I ran both nights along Canalside.

In addition to running, I LOVED ice cream. No surprise there.

Maybe I should change the name of my blog to: I RUN FOR ICE CREAM.

Something Said.

Image result for quotes by Kathrine Switzer

This is even more true in the summer when it is so hot and humid and you know that your run will be miserable.

this run was one of my hardest runs due to the heat and humidity and I may have cut it short or bailed if I didn’t have company.

Something Learned.

I like trail runs.

I thought I would because they are more scenic and easier on your feet. But I was afraid that 1. I would fall and 2. I wouldn’t enjoy running slow in a group.

I went on a few trail runs this past month organized by a local running club.

I loved the varied scenery. I did not fall. I ran slowly and I didn’t mind being slower than others (even when one of my friends said aloud “I finally beat Darlene Cardillo!!!)

There will be NO trail races in my future, though. Too competitive for that…

Something Read.

Image result for marathon woman book

My Running Group decided that, in addition to running and eating, to meet to discuss a book we’ve all read. The above book is our third one. We only meet to do this once or twice a year.

Here’s a review so I won’t bore you with mine – https://thoughtsandpavement.com/2016/05/31/book-review-marathon-woman/

But I really enjoyed this book. Switzer is an amazing women who changed the course of running for women. She was strong-willed, intelligent, independent and so many good qualities that I admired. But her choice in husbands!! Holy cow. What gives?

I was intrigued and would love to read more above her life after the 1984 Olympics.

So I recommend reading this book (even if you don’t ever want to run a marathon) and let me know what you think.

I heard that they are also making it into a movie.

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup!

and I’ll make this post into FIVE somethings..

Something Photographed.

In the summertime, we spend everyone weekend boating on Lake George. Here’s the view from our marina. Instead of going out to dinner, we ordered pizza and ate it on our boat here.

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

April 28, 2019 by Darlene

Four Somethings for April – a day late

Something Loved.

It may be a repeat but I couldn’t help myself. It is spending time in NYC. It never gets old. The day above, I didn’t even run. But there was lots of eating and lots of walking.

This past weekend, I spent time there with friends for a 15k race plus many other fun activities that we squeezed in – Brooklyn pizza, a Broadway show, dinner in Times Square, brunch in Prospect Park, Cherry Blossom Festival, trip to the top of the Vessel…

Then next month, I’ll be back for 5 days working there. You’ll see pix, I hope, of me running in Central Park and along the East and Hudson Rivers.

NYC – Central Park

Something Said.

Image result for running motivational quotes

This is quite simple but so true. We get down on ourselves if our pace is too slow or we walked too much or we cut short the run.

But we did RUN!

What was good about it? The scenery, the negative splits, the company, conversation, the music, the time alone, the podcast, or just the fact that we didn’t stay home.

Something Learned.

Intervals make long runs more bearable. I know that I’m late to the party. I definitely need to re-think this as I train for a full marathon next fall.

Something Read.

Lisa Gardner - Never

Every year during our May tennis vacation in Florida, we have book club night. This book was this year’s choice.

I do like mysteries and I have already read a few of Lisa Gardner’s books.

I won’t give the mystery away but basically this is the gist of this one:

A man was shot three times in his home office. His computer had been shot twelve times. When the cops arrive, his wife (Evie), is holding the gun. A detective (DD) arrives on the scene and recognizes the pregnant wife from a case sixteen years earlier. And a woman (Flora) who had been abused and held hostage sees the news of this murder on TV and immediately remembers that her kidnapper knew this man.

Of course, there are a lot of twists and turns, secrets and deceptions. The story really did hold my interest.

I did like that it was told from the perspective of three incredibly strong women – Evie, Flora and D.D – and with each chapter labelled with the characters name.

I found them all likeable and engaging. I felt sympathetic toward the characters which helped me become invested in their outcomes.

This is the first book of the series that I have read. Some of the characters have appeared in previous books – Find Her (2017) and Look For Me (2018).

Now I want to read the rest of the series.

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

March 30, 2019 by Darlene

Four Somethings for March

Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a new link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The ~~last Monday~~ 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!

Something Loved.

I used to do yoga weekly but I had gotten out of the habit, plus traveled a lot for work. But when my neighbor posted about a Cat Yoga class at the local animal shelter last month, I had to sign up. I love CATS and at one point, we had FIVE of them.

Needless to say, it came at a perfect time. I was not running due to an injury and I recently lost my favorite cat, Jerry.

Who could not love a relaxing after work activity while listening to cats purring around you. It was hard leaving and not taking them all home.

I hope that they offer this class again. (There are Goat Yoga classes offered in my area but they are not as appealing LOL)

Something Said.

I have been a Lady Gaga fan right from the beginning. And of course, I am a bigger fan after seeing the movie, A Star is Born.

This quote is definitely true for me, as a runner. It is why I race. Not to win an award or have a faster time but to finish the race. It is why I will be attempting my first marathon. I know that it will be hard. But I will finish the NYC Marathon, even it takes me 6 or 7 hours. I am not giving up this dream.

Something Learned.

A.R.T. helps. I was a skeptic. I mean, my leg hurt worse than before I sought this treatment. Why would anyone inflict pain on oneself? I could run fine.

But in my head, I knew something wasn’t right. I felt it while walking on the beach.

After many sessions, I ran the NYC Half Marathon. Could I have run this race without ART? We’ll never know but psychologically, it helped probably more than physically.

Something Read.

I had forgotten how much I loved the book, Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. (Thanks Laurie from Meditations in Motion).

I just loved this one too. Obviously it is a memoir of 13 animals in the author’s life and her relationship with each one. But it was so much more. The book also deals with Montgomery’s struggles coping with the aging process and subsequent death of the animals she loved. I and many others unfortunately can identify here.

My favorite lessons/quotes from the book:

from Molly (a terrier)- “The real world, the world I loved, was just out of my ordinary human sensory range.”
Christopher Hogwood (a pig) – “…unlike the case with my human family, the differences between Christopher and me….would not trouble our relationship.” “He taught us how to love what life gives you. Even when life gives you slops.”
from Clarabelle (a tarantula) – “People aren’t born with a fear of spiders”… they are “tiny creatures who may love their lives as much as we love ours.”
from a weasel who killed a pet hen – “this creature’s incandescent presence left no room for anger in my heart — for it had been stretched wide with awe and flooded with the balm of forgiveness.”
from Tess (a border collie) – “unlike most other humans, I could voyage…, in the pitch blackness…she loaned me her dog superpowers…
“You do feel them (the presence of loved ones who had passed on)..What you are feeling when you miss them is not their absence. It’s their presence.”
from Octavia (the octopus) – “Thousands of mothers…have taught their kind to love and to know that love is the highest and best use of life…. love is a living thing…”
from Thurber (a half blind border collie) – “You never know, even when life looks hopeless, what might happen next. It could be that something wonderful is right around the corner.”