Not all my vacations are race-cations.  I do go on a vacation where there is no race and/or where my family or friends are not runners.

The photos below were taken during a vacation with my tennis friends where I ran almost everyday.

Here’s FIVE Tips to use if you are hoping to run during a vacation:

1.Be prepared.  

Bring clothes for all weather conditions.

Some winter vacations may have 80 degree temps and but many could have freezing temps!!

Fla in Feb.

and Feb in Fla!!

2.Schedule your runs.

If you leave it to chance, it won’t happen.

I often have to run in my tennis clothes

or then play tennis in my running shoes!

3.Be flexible.

Sometimes other persons’ needs or desires will come before your running.

I definitely have to be more flexible when traveling with my hubby. (Maybe that’s why we don’t travel together often lol).

4.Find a scenic route.

Pretty views make all the difference.

Sunrises are my particular favorite.

5.Lower your expectations.

Distance & speed goals will probably not happen.

Just RUN for FUN.

Can anyone guess where I am here?

Bonus Tip. (Thanks to Erica for reminding me about this) If you are not familiar with the area, sign up for a Running Tour

It’s the best way to see the city and get your running done at the same time.

during a running tour of Central Park (NYC)

or ask for recommendations (from the hotel concierge or local running store) for a safe route to run.

running in a park on the outskirts of Paris

Happy Running! Do you run when you go on vacation? Any tips to add? Please share.

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:

I got this idea from running blogger, Donna, who posted her Alphabet Travel Adventures. I wondered if I could name a Half Marathon that I’ve run for every letter of the alphabet.

Nope. I had to add in some other distances.

Then Judy commented that I could probably do it with just the races I run each year since I do so many.

Here goes nothing (I have linked to one of my race recaps so I just added a few memorable details);

A is for Apple Run (a local fall race with cider donuts available)

B is for Bacon Hill Bonanza (a spring country 5k or 10k where you can win a pie as an age group award)

C is for Cherry Blossom 5k (a spring 5k that took place at a local synagogue during cherry blossom season)

D is for Delmar Dash (a spring 5 mile race near my home)

E is for Electric City 5 Miler (a 5 mile loop along the Mohawk River in March)

F is for Freihofer Run for Women (a local all women’s 5k that I have never missed since I started running)

G is for Great Pumpkin Challenge (a fall 5k or 10k around a park in Saratoga)

H is for Helper’s Fund (a 5k or 10k held the day before the Adirondack Half Marathon/Marathon)

I is for Ice Breaker Challenge (a 5k in Albany along the Hudson River where you race the college crew teams)

J is for Jailhouse Rock  (great downhill finish at this 5k in Ballston Spa)

K is for Kinderhook Bank OK 5K (a small local 5k that I have only run years ago but plan to this year)

L is for Last Run  (a fun 5k through the holiday lights of Washington Park)

M is for Malta 5k (a flat race around the grounds of Global Foundries where my stepson works)

N is for New Visions 5K (a 5k that I ran my first year of running…  it was my first sub 30 min 5k)

O is for Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot (Thanksgiving 5k in the town where I live)

P is for Polar Cap Run  (a winter 4 miler in Lake George the same day as the LG Winter Carnival)

Q is for (Annie’s) Quest 5K  (a local charity driven 5k that doesn’t exist anymore)

R is for Run for the Roses (a 5k in a park where you get a rose, shirt and a library book as swag)

S is for Silks & Satins 5k  (a summer race near the Saratoga Horse Race Track)

T is for Troy Turkey Trot  (a hugely popular Thanksgiving Day 5k and 10k)

U is for UAlbany Homecoming/Fall Festival 5k  (race that was held during the college reunion weekend)

V is for Valley Cats Father’s Day Home Run 5k  (finishes in the stadium of our local baseball team)

W is for Whipple City 5k or 10k (just a small race that I’ve run a few times with friends, the 10k is quite hilly)

X is for ???? HELP!!

Y is for (Bethlehem) Y Winter Wonderland 5K (a small 5k in my town, only scheduled once.)

Z is for ZOOMA Bermuda Lighthouse Run (a 2 mile race held the evening before the Bermuda half marathon)

Happy Running! How would you play the Alphabet Challenge?  Workouts, Runs, Travels, Races?  Please share.

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.

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

I came across this book in the library.  I admit that I didn’t read the whole thing but I flipped through it.  It’s just as much about life as it is about running.

Here are my favorite quotes from the book:

1.“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. Say you’re running and you think, ‘Man, this hurts, I can’t take it anymore. The ‘hurt’ part is an unavoidable reality, but whether or not you can stand anymore is up to the runner himself.”

2.“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog, and I believe running helps you do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life…

3. “I’ll be happy if running and I can grow old together.”

4. “I have only a few reasons to keep on running, and a truckload of them to quit. All I can do is keep those few reasons nicely polished.”

5. “You make do with what you have. As you age you learn even to be happy with what you have.“

6. “The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can’t be learned at school.”

Anyway, it also got me thinking to what I talk about when I talk about running..

• Trying to convince myself that pace doesn’t matter anymore.
• Grateful to my tennis friends who convinced me to become a runner.
• Running the NYC Marathon was one of the the best decisions I’ve ever made.
• Running friends (both in person and virtual) are great.
• Anyone who wants to CAN run a 5k, half marathon, marathon…
• I hope I can continue to run for a long time…
• I love to race.

Definitely not as profound as Murakami. lol

Happy Running! Have you read this book? What do you talk about when you talk about 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, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

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

Racing, of course

and Non-Running Related (NRR):

1. Knitting

I started last month with this Ukraine-inspired hat… I have plans for some socks and mittens…

2. Succulents 

I started last year with many in the bay window of my living room

but now they are everywhere including my kitchen…

3. Live Flowers 

It’s great that the ones at Trader Joe’s are affordable and last a long time…

4. IZZE

I just got back into buying them again. You can find them at Target.

Mango and Blackberry are my favorite flavors…

If you wondering about its nutritional value:  IZZE Sparkling Juices are made with 70% fruit juice and a dash of sparkling water, with no sugar or preservatives added. IZZE sparkling blackberry juice beverage has 90 calories per eight-ounce can. It contains no fat and 0.3 grams of protein, and it also contains 18 grams of sugar. It also has 0.3 g of dietary fiber and low sodium. It is sweetened with fructose, a naturally occurring sugar.

I just think they taste good.

5. KODIAK CAKES OATMEAL

If you’ve read my blog, you know that oatmeal is my go to pre-race meal.  Well, I actually eat oatmeal EVERYDAY!!

I’m sure that most of you make your own oatmeal.  I admit that I’m lazy.  I eat TWO packages (400 calories, yup!!) every morning.

I vary the flavors and sometimes add raisins but chocolate chip is my favorite.

They even travel well.

and one more for good measure:

6. Alexa

I know I’m late to the party (any my hubby HATES it). I have one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.

I love being able to have a candle or lamp automatically go on and off a certain times….

Happy Running! What are you loving lately? 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 Zenaida!

So Join in!

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

maybe Judith pictured here…?

I have never had a coach nor am I sure that I will ever hire one.

But if I did, here’s what would be important for ME:

1. Experience

I know a certified coach has to start somewhere but I would prefer not to be her his/her first client.

They need to have coached before and maybe even have coached someone else with needs similar to mine or who was training for the same distance.

Also he/she needs to be experienced as a runner and one who is faster than I am (No offense…)

2.Cost

I’m not a professional nor do I have unlimited funds to spend on running. So the cost would have to reasonable and paid monthly.

3. Accessibility

In-person would be ideal but at least through email, text and social networking.  I would expect prompt and thoughtful responses to my questions.

4. Flexibility

I would want to be given a training plan but not one that I could not adapt to my changing needs or life schedule.

5. Presence at my goal race 

Obviously this may not be possible. But it would be incredibility supportive and helpful.

Patrick was my coach at past Freihofer & Turkey Trot Challenge groups. I saw him recently when I was volunteering as he was running in the marathoner that he coached

Remember that every runner is different.  My needs or preferences may not be the same as yours.

Many of you who are reading this post may be certified running coaches.  Many of the bloggers that I know are also certified coaches and based on what I have read, they would be great coaches… so maybe someday we will work together???

And if any of my readers are looking to hire a coach. here are some helpful links:

• https://www.podiumrunner.com/training/new-runner-choose-coach/
• https://www.womensrunning.com/training/things-consider-run-coach/
• https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/training/how-to-find-the-right-running-coach/
• https://www.runnersblueprint.com/running-coach/
• https://www.runningcoachcarl.com/2017/03/3-things-look-running-coach-1-ignore/
• https://www.hydrosleeve.com/pages/how-to-choose-a-running-coach

Happy Running! Do you have a coach or have you ever had one? What was important when choosing him/her? Please share.

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: