Today’s Topic is: Five Running/Fitness Safety Tips

Here are mine:

1.Don’t Run Alone.

It’s pretty obvious that you are safer when you are running with a friend.

2.Always Carry Your Phone.

You never know when you are going to need it…

3. Make Sure You have Light

That means either run in a lit path or wear lights or both.

4.Dress For the Weather.

For the heat and especially for the cold.

5.Run on Bike Paths Rather Than the Roads

But if you have to run on the road, run against traffic.  Don’t assume cars will stop for you at a crosswalk. Don’t wear headphones or keep the music low.

Happy Running! Can you add any other safety tips? Please share.

Today’s Topic is: Five Challenges to Fitness

1.Time

This is the big one for me… I work 8am-4pm and sometimes I even travel for work.

Then there’s all the commitments and responsibilities that go along with family, pets, friends and home ownership.

dinners with my tennis friends

snuggle time with Heather too…

2.Money

Gyms cost money as do online fitness memberships.

Races aren’t cheap.

And what about running shoes!?

not mine but you get the picture

3.Weather

This goes along with time. I can’t just run anytime of day.  Short runs and races are ok in the rain but not long runs.

And what about ice and snow?

4.Daylight

Soon it will be dark after I get out of work and that limits the places I can run that are lit and safe.

UAlbany

Now it also too dark to get in anything but a short run before work.

5.Mojo

If I have signed up for a race, my mojo is pretty good and especially if I have company.  But my morning running companion has left for for Florida…

After my Nov. 5 Marathon, my next long race is not until Feb 18, 2024….

Happy Running! What are your fitness challenges now? Please share.

Today’s Topic is: Five Goals for the Last 1/4 of the Year

Where has the year gone?  It went so fast..

2023 did not start out well for me but it definitely has improved.

Here are my goals for the last 3 months of 2023:

1. Stay healthy.

I got my flu, RSV and COVID shots so that should help.

I hope to continue being outdoors as often as possible (even with the early sunsets.)

2. Avoid over-use injuries.

IOW, I will take rest days and not overdo the miles each week.

It’s not easy to do when you are training for a big race.

Work and baby time have kept me in line so I don’t have time to run a zillion miles.

3. Continue weekly workouts at the Y.

There have been times when I stayed in bed rather than hitting the gym before work.

And yes, sleep is important.

But if I don’t go to the gym several mornings a week, I plan to cancel my membership for 2024.

Unfortunately, it is too crowded at lunch or after work.

4. Do some fun hikes.

Once the boating season is over, I’ll have time to hike on Sundays.

Also I have every other Monday off… and hopefully we will not have as much Monday rain as there has been.

5.Complete Marathon #2.

It’s not a given.  It will be hard!!

You can track me:

Fingers crossed that I get this:

Happy Running! What are your goals for the last 1/4 of the year? Please share.

Today’s Topic is: Five Reasons to Use a Race as a Training Run

If you training for a big race: a half marathon, a full marathon or an ultra, it is tempting to skip races during your training cycle so you can complete all the long runs on your plan.

Here are 5 reasons that’s ok to race while training for a big race:

1. Races are more fun.

Running is supposed to be fun, right?

I don’t know about you, but I rarely have fun during my long run. I get them done. Period.

HM in RI or a 13 mile? HM!!

2. It’s a speed drill in disguise.

Even if you say that it’s only a training run, most likely the enthusiasm and crowd support will have you running faster in a race than in your training run.

3. Free water stops, porta-potties and post-run refreshments.

Ok, not free because you have to pay to run the race but you know what I mean.

It’s welcomed support along or after your run.

4. You can practice race pace.

You may often run your long runs too fast or too slow.

Obviously it’s easier to practice “race pace” in a race.

on CP hills no less

5.You can add on the miles before or after the race.

If your plan calls for more miles than the race, you have the option of running more miles before or after.

If after the race then it’s practice running on tired legs, right?  We all need that.

7 + 13 = 20 miles

Happy Running! Do you ever use a race as a training run? Or do you stick to your plan?

Today’s Topic is: Five Favorite Running/Fitness Products

Unless you’ve never read this blog before, none of these are new:

1.Skirt Sports Skirts

Never shorts and never tights or capris.  I just don’t like the way they accent my butt/thighs (I know… it’s just me!!)

Skirt Sports skirts come in many lengths, styles, fabrics and all have hidden pockets.

This one is called Cascade but I often wear Gym Girl Ultras.

2. Topos Running Shoes

I used to wear Brooks and Mizunos. After I was diagnosed with a Neuroma, I tried Topos.

They have a low heel drop (0-5mm) and a wide toe box.

The neuroma pain disappeared and now I’m afraid to switch back.

They come in different styles however their color selection is boring.

These are Specters but I often wear Phantoms or Cyclones.

3. SpiBelt

Although I wear skirts with pockets, for races, I need to also carry my car key, ID and fuel so I use my SpiBelt for my phone and I also attach my bib to it.

And it stay put (and doesn’t move around when I run.)

4. Goodr Sunglasses

Because I wear contacts, I even wear sunglasses to keep the wind and rain out of my eyes.

These glasses are light and so comfortable and come in all sorts of cool colors/patterns.

5.Zensah Calf Sleeves

I started wearing calf sleeves because I heard they helped recovery after long runs and races.

I also wear them in the fall and spring when my legs are cold and in the summer to reduce the bug bites.

You know how I like to cooperate my clothes. Well, Zensah offers quite a few patterns for every occasion.

Happy Running! Do you use any of my favorites?  What are some of yours? Please Share.

Whoa! Where did summer go?

I LOVE summer but here are a few things that I will enjoy this Fall:

1.Cooler and Less Humid Weather Conditions.

As I said, I normally love the sunshine and warm temps of summer.  But this summer, the humidity  really tried my patience.

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

2. Fall Foliage Viewing and More Hiking Activities.

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

The Fall is also for the same reason, my favorite season to hike in. Boating Sundays will end soon and be replaced by Hiking Sundays.

3. More Racing Ops.

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

4. A Race-cation with Friends.

Last year, I went to Maine with my running friends and we had so much fun that this year, we rented a house again and plan to spend 4 days in the Finger Lakes region of NYS which will include running a race and other assorted shenanigans.

5.Pumpkin everything and Cider Donuts!

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

Happy Running! Are you looking forward to Fall? If so, what activities are on your bucket list?