Here’s what happened this year so far:

One Broken Bone

5th metatarsal of the left foot and it healed in 4-5 weeks

Two Florida vacations

East coast in February and the west coast in May

Three Months of Gym Membership

free due to my participation in the Freihofer Training Challenge

Four In Person Races

Brooklyn Half Marathon, Miles on the Mohawk (10M), Freihofer Run for Women (5k), Valley Cats Father’s Day Home Run Race (5k)

Five Days of Tennis (in Florida)

I used to play several times a week but now it’s only during my Florida May vacation

Six + Hikes

Several Monday hikes in MA with friends and other solo hikes on Sundays

Seven Months Pregnant for my DIL

Hopefully I will have a granddaughter in early September

Eight Movies/Shows

Broadway is my favorite activity when I am in NYC

Nine Visits to NYC

Mostly for work but there were few times there for races and friend meet-ups

Ten + (Non-Running) Books Read

I love to read and do it every night but often do not keep track of the books I read 😦

1. Stone cold fox / Rachel Koller Croft
2. Sam : a novel / Allegra Goodman
3. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt / Anonymous.
4. Horse / Geraldine Brooks.
5. Trust / Hernan Diaz
6. This time tomorrow / Emma Straub
7. The housekeeper : a novel / Joy Fielding
8. Dreamland : a novel / Nicholas Sparks
9. Our missing hearts : a novel / Celeste Ng
10. The love story of Missy Carmichael / Beth Morrey

Eleven New Running-Related Items

Yes, I may be a run shoes-a-holic but I’ve cut down on buying running apparel…

• Shoes -4
• Skirts – 2
• Tops – 2
• Sunglasses – 3
• Socks – 0

Happy Running! How has the first half of 2023 gone for you?  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 blogs!!

Join the link party!

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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, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

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

Join the link party!

Below are my throw it together quick easy dinners:

Pumpkin or Squash Chili 

1. Cooked Ground Turkey
2. Diced Tomatoes
3. Pinto Beans
4. Frozen Pumpkin or Butter Squash Chunks
5. Chili Seasoning

Tuna Noodle Casserole

1. Can of tuna
2. Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
3. Can of (Almond) Milk
4. Frozen Peas
5. Cooked Egg Noodles

Sausage ‘n Peppers

1. 2 Packages of pre-cooked Chicken Sausage (my favorite is Apple and Italian)
2. Bag of multi-colored frozen Peppers
3. Bag of frozen Peppers & Onions
4. Can of diced Tomatoes or tomato sauce
5. Cooked Rice or pasta

Meat Loaf

1. Meatloaf Mix (veal, beef, pork)
2. Egg
3. Seasoned Bread Crumbs
4. Milk
5. Seasoning

Chicken Marsala

1. Browned chicken breasts or tenders
2. Marsala Wine
3. Beef Broth
4. Sliced cooked Mushrooms
5. Cooked Pasta

Beef Vegetable Soup

1. Browned Stew Beef
2. Beef Broth
3. Spices
4. Frozen Mixed Vegetables
5. Can of Sliced or Cubed Potatoes

The key word to these recipes is FAST which is why most recipes use frozen or canned ingredients.  Obviously fresh produce can be substituted.

Happy Running! Any quick 5 ingredient meals to 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 blogs!!

Join the link party!

This might be the most difficult post ever to write. It is hard to be objective about oneself. Do I pick good traits? Or maybe those where I need to improve?

Well, here are the first five words that came to mind:

1.Loyal

I think that this is the most important quality to have to be a good friend. I hope that all my friends think that I am. Thanks to social networking, I have remained in contact with close friends from high school, college, tennis teams, and all of my jobs, in addition to, those whom I see frequently in-person (i.e. my running friends.).

2.Consistent

I call it Consistent, others may call it ‘stubborn” or “crazy.” I usually run or walk outside pretty much no matter what.  In the cold, when I don’t feel well or may be a little sore and when conditions are not optimal, I “Just Do It.” I have to say that I am “Consistent” about fitness-activities that I enjoy (walking, running, hiking, tennis,) not about all other activities (such as yoga, strength training, biking, etc.)

I am also a “Consistent” blogger… I guess it’s because I enjoy interacting with my fellow runners 3x a week.

3.Active

The hardest part about the Pandemic or having a broken foot was sitting still or being stuck indoors.  Pacing in my house is not an ideal way for me to get in steps.  Rest Days for me are days when I can bike, walk or hike instead of a run.

4.Introverted

As a child, I was very shy.  I hated to speak in front of class. I still do. I became a teacher and learned to become somewhat comfortable in front of students. I still dreaded those observations. Still do. Yes, I am social and have lots of friends but prefer to interact in a small group. You will never see me recording myself and posting the video for all to see. Never.

5.Spontaneous

I am not sure if this quality is positive or negative.  Positive – I don’t miss out on things by over thinking and hesitating. I just sign up or just go. Negative – somethings that I have done were not good choices or planned out well.

Happy Running! What words would you use to describe yourself? Do you share of these qualities? 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.