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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Summer is coming soon. There have even been days already that felt like summer.

Here are some of MY personal tips to enjoy running:

1. Stop complaining and posting about the temps and humidity.

Ok, I do it too.  (But I will try not to…)

If the heat bothers you:

• Don’t run.
• Run earlier or later in the day.
• Run indoors.
• Run slower.
• Run fewer miles.

victory for running in only a tank and skirt

2.Wear Compression Calf Sleeves.

I know it sounds crazy but it is so buggy in the summer. Besides protecting your legs from injury, it will help ward off ticks and mosquitoes.  With spring rain, the bugs can be insane.

the ice cream helped as well as the socks lol

3. Wear a Baseball Cap.

It keeps you cool (if you have thick hair like me).  It shields your face from the sun and most importantly, it protects your scalp from the sun. Most runners neglect to put sunscreen on their head and a visor will do zero for you there.

4. Plan your Hydration.

That doesn’t mean that you have to carry water. I don’t usually.

I mean, how much can you really carry during a hot weather run, anyway?  An everyday runner does not have to purchase a hydration vest.

an old pic (I lost that water bottle 😦 )

But you need to drink even if you think that you are not a heavy sweater.

I usually plant water somewhere on my route or loop my runs so I pass my car (where I have water).  I have even stopped a local convenience store during my run and bought a bottle of water.

Or you can buy a skirt or shorts that can hold a small water bottle or two.

5. Sign up for Races.

You knew this one was coming.

The adrenaline of the race will make you forget about the heat.  There will be water stops along the course and maybe even watermelon or ice cream at the end of the race.

Ok not as comfortable as sitting in your air-conditioned home or floating around a pool but better for you and much more fun.

at one of my favorite summer 5ks

Happy Running! Any other tips for enjoying the summer run?  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 blogs!!

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Today’s Topic is:  5 Ways To Combine Running + Mental Health Awareness

IMO Running improves your mental health so I am posting about 5 ways that it does: (Credit: https://www.rochesterregional.org/hub/mental-health-running)

1.Running helps to reduce stress.

When you are running, your body releases certain chemicals and hormones that help with neurological resilience. Studies show running lessens your brain’s stress responses.

2.Running improves your mood.

No matter how long you may run, you are often in a better mood once you are running. One study found even 15 minutes a day can make a positive difference in your mood.

3.Running helps to lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression.

One recent study found people who took up running had a similar effect on their depression symptoms as people who took antidepressants.

4. Running improves resiliency and perseverance.

The more time you spend running, the tougher you are mentally. Going just a little bit further means convincing yourself that you can finish that distance. People who develop this mindset have a stronger sense of perseverance – a skill that carries over into other areas of their life.

5. Running promotes gratitude.

Being consciously grateful about having the ability to run carries over to other areas of life. When you may feel stressed out or struggling with other parts of your life, this mindset can put things into perspective. When you start to notice negative thoughts that creep in around home life, work life, go for a run. You realize that you can do hard things and you can manage difficult situations.

Happy Running! Has running improved your mental health? If so, how?  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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Today’s Topic was 5 Fitness Challenges To Try This Month

Since I recently returned from a week with friends in Naples, FL, I decided to switch it around and post about 5 Ways I stayed fit while on vacation.

This was my challenge. LOL

1. I RAN at least a mile everyday.

I was tired. It was hot and humid but I made a point to get out there.

The runs weren’t fast. I stopped frequently for photos.

I did it while my friends were taking tennis lessons.

2. I played tennis everyday.

I hadn’t played since last summer and I was very rusty.

But it was doubles and my friends were very forgiving.

3. I walked along the beach…

4. I ran a race.

Despite that it was hot, humid and buggy, I actually enjoyed this 5k (in its new location.)

5. I ate healthy 2 out of my 3 meals each day.

Oatmeal for breakfast and yogurt and fruit for lunch.

Of course, it probably didn’t balance out the beach drinks, dinners out and ice cream desserts.

Happy Running! Which fitness challenges are you going to try this month?  How to you keep fit while on vacation? 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 blogs!!

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Now that it is officially spring and temps are even warming up, what do you need on your run?

Though many of the items below are things that you bring on your winter runs, they are more essential when it is spring:

1.Sunscreen

2.Bug Spray

3. Baseball Cap

4. Sunglasses

5. Hydration

ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER!!

Happy Running! What spring running essentials do you need? 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, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

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