I LOVE summer but running-wise, it is tough.

Fall is the Best Running Season and here are 5 Reasons Why:

1.Cooler and Less Humid Weather Conditions to Run In.

As I said, I normally love the sunshine and warm temps of summer.

Hopefully, my runs will be more comfortable and hence speedier.

2. Fall Foliage Viewing on Your Runs.

Living in upstate New York, we are usually treated to gorgeous fall colors.  Hopefully our wacky summer weather this year will not impact this.

3. More Racing Ops.

Many more races are scheduled in the Fall compared to the summer.

fall fest 5k 

great pumpkin challenge 5k or 10k

stockade-athon 15k

upstate classic 5k or HM

troy turkey trot

4. A Race-cation with Friends.

Last fall, I went to Lake Placid with my running friends…

and we had so much fun that this year, we rented a house again and plan to spent 4 days in Plymouth, Mass. which will include running a race and other assorted shenanigans.

5.Pumpkin everything as a post run treat.

Yes, I do love Fall food!! Especially those with pumpkin.  A must-have after a long run or race.

Happy Running! Are you looking forward to Fall? Which season is the best for running? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs,

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

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This week, the topic was supposed to be: 5 Quick & Healthy Meals For Busy Athletes.  I could post quick meals but not sure if they are healthy. LOL

So, this was last week’s topic.

Here are my tips for those training for a fall race, building up the mileage after slacking off during the summer or maybe even recovering from an injury.

1.Start up a routine.

IOW, make a schedule of which days you will strength train, which days you will run, which days you will rest, etc.

Put it on your calendar, if that helps.

2. Improve your diet.

Summer time is ice cream time.

Try to get back to healthier eating habits.

3. Inventory your running attire.

Do you need to give away items that are worn, don’t fit and just outdated?

Do you need new shoes?

4. Take care of those little aches and pains you’ve been ignoring.

Do you need to see a doctor?

Or maybe you need PT or a visit to the chiro?

5. Set a goal.

A big one or some small ones.

A distance, a pace, a race?

Whatever will motivate you to get moving…

Happy Running! Are you looking forward to fall? Any tips for getting ready? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

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1.Age Groups Rock.

I mean you should not be comparing your pace to someone younger than you.

I used to play competitive tennis and I hated that it seemed to only matter if you won or not and what your score was.

You may not win any awards because the numbers of those running in their later years have been increasing (and quite frankly many are faster than I ever was.)

But still, it’s good that you can see how you compare to someone your own age. (And often, there are 3 or less in your age group!)

2. If you keep running, you will most likely get slower.

I say “most likely” because I’m sure that there are runners who still improve as they age.

like Jeannie Rice

But as a rule, after 10 years of running, your finish times will be slower.

So if this bothers you, stop racing. LOL

I admit, it’s not easy to accept that my 5k, 10k and half marathon times have reverted to slower than they were when I first ran those distances many years ago.

slow but happy

finishing=winning!

3. Body Parts Will Hurt.

It’s part of the aging process. But it’s different for each runner.

For me, it’s my lower back and my feet. For others, it may be your hips or your knees.

Again, I say, if this bothers you, stop running.

and miss all the fun?

4. Misery Loves Company.

In other words, don’t go at it alone.  Run with others.  Find your tribe!

everyone in this group is over 50

5. Cross Training is even MORE Important.

In addition to running, find another activity for those rest days – yoga, walking, weight lifting, spinning, Zumba, pickleball, etc.

I do a lot of walking and hiking but in those winter months, my stationary bike could be my new best friend.

6, (one more): Age is “Just a Number”.  You can do hard things.

Yes, you can run an ultra.

recognize this blogger?

I ran my FIRST marathon at age 66, and another at 70 & 71.

Happy Running! How has ‘age” affected your fitness? Any facts to add? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

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I am not a doctor and most of what I’ve done was recommended by Dr. Google since I didn’t see a doctor until 6 weeks after it started hurting.

I learned recently… that Achilles Tendinitis (which I had the summer of 2013) is different than Achilles Tendinosis (which I have now).

Achilles Tendinitis is an inflamed Achilles tendon.

The treatment is different for each.

Who knew?

And luckily, it is not Achilles tendinitis because I didn’t rest it…

I ran less and I didn’t run hard when I did my races…

And here’s what I did do:

1. Pain Management: Used cold compresses and over-the-counter NSAIDs for temporary relief. A few hot tub soaks after workouts.

2. Supportive Devices: Added a heel lift inside my shoe to reduce temporary strain on the tendon.

3. Shoes: Abandoned my low heel drop Topos and wore high heel drop Brooks for walking and running.

4. Strengthening Exercises: Did heel raises and heel drops several times a day…

5. Continued Movement: Walked, hiked and ran races… (I ran short distance races -DNSed a hilly 15k).

The doctor’s advice was that I did the right thing and to continue with exercises or see a PT.

Repsher pT

PT visits are starting Monday…

Happy Running! Have you had any issues with your Achilles? If so, what did you do? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs,

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

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Well my year started out well. I posted HERE about my 5 wins.

But there was a downward slide in June.

Hopefully things will pick back up the second half the year.

Here are my FIVE Losses:

1.I visited my Chiro many times… $$$

At least I have insurance so I only pay a copay but it disrupts my work schedule and I also have to use up sick time.

First it for my lower back that is (still) stiff every morning.

Then it was for my achy sore right Achilles.

2. I had to miss the race that I was most looking forward to.

7-12-26 – Boilermaker 15k

I have never run this very popular race and this was going to be the year…

Fortunately, I was able to sell my bib. But I was out $52 for the bus to Utica and back.

3. I skipped many runs for the month of June..

Luckily I no longer have a goal of 84 miles per month or 1000 annually.

I tried to rest my foot hoping that the soreness would go away.

I missed running with friends.

I missed running when I was working in NYC (I went to museums, Broadway shows and dinner instead.)

My mental state suffered!!

4. I ran FOUR races and experienced pain after each.

• 05-24-26 – Miles on the Mohawk
• 05.30.26 – Run for Women 5k
• 06-06-26 – Mastercard NYC Mini 10k
• 06-20-26 – Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k

Maybe that meant that I shouldn’t have run those races??

5.  I ran PWs at every distance.

• New Belgium Asheville Half Marathon – 2:39:32
• Boilermaker’s Erie Canal Race (10 miler) – 1:54:31
• Mastercard NYC Mini 10k– 1:15:21
• Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k – 35:18

Age obviously has something to do with my slower pace.

As I’ve mentioned, June was not a great running month due to the issues with my Achilles.

The year is only half over….onward and upward!

Happy Running! How has the first half of 2026 gone for you? What were your losses, if any? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs,

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

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Well my year started out well but then there was a downward slide.

Hopefully things will pick back up the second half the year.

Here are my FIVE Wins:

1.I have completed 14 races so far!!

1. 01-01-26 – Winter Series #2 (3.5m)
2. 01-11-24 – Winter Series #3 (10k)
3. 02-14-26  – Race of Hope 5k
4. 03-07-26 – Electric City 10k
5. 03-15-26 – United NYC Half Marathon (Brooklyn Bridge addition)
6. 03-21-26 – New Belgium Asheville Half Marathon
7. 04-11-26 – Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon 
8. 04-25-26 – Bill Robinson Memorial 10k
9. 05-02-26 –Tropicool 5k (new course)
10. 05-17-26 – Boilermaker’s Erie Canal Race (10 miler)
11. 05-24-26 – Miles on the Mohawk (10 miler)
12. 05.30.26 – Run for Women 5k
13. 06-06-26 – Mastercard NYC Mini 10k
14. 06-20-26 – Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k

2. Five of the races were 10 miles or more.

1. United NYC Half Marathon
2. New Belgium Asheville Half Marathon
3. Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon 
4. Boilermaker’s Erie Canal Race (10 miler)
5. Miles on the Mohawk (10 miler)

3. I won an age group award in 10 of those races.

1. Winter Series #2
2. Winter Series #3
3.  Race of Hope 5k
4. New Belgium Asheville Half Marathon
5.  Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon 
6. Bill Robinson Memorial 10k
7. Tropicool 5k 
8. Boilermaker’s Erie Canal Race 
9. Miles on the Mohawk
10. Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k

4. I ran SIX NEW Races. Three races were held outside of New York State.  I even added ONE new state (NC). 

1. Race of Hope 5k (FL)
2. New Belgium Asheville Half Marathon (NC)
3. Tropicool 5k  (FL)

There were also 3 more new ones in NYS.

1. United NYC Half Marathon (Brooklyn Bridge addition)
2. Bill Robinson Memorial 10k
3. Boilermaker’s Erie Canal Race 

5.  I visited the gym 52 times.

As I’ve mentioned, June was not a great running month due to the issues with my Achilles.

But the year is only half over….onward and upward!

Happy Running! How has the first half of 2026 gone for you? What were your wins? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs,

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

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