As you may know, I’ve run a lot of half marathons. Many have been run alone, one on vacation with my hubby, a few with one friend, several with friends locally.

But my fondest memories and the ones that were the most fun were the races that I travelled to with a group of friends.

I’ve been fortunate to have run half marathons in Philly, Panama City FL, Corning NY, Las Vegas, Montreal, Hampton Beach NH (x2) and most recently Portland ME. – all with wonderful groups of women!!

Here are a few reasons why Girls Weekend Race-cations are the best:

1. Training Support

When you are training for the same race, you get support for your runs and race goals either in person or virtually.

2.  Cost Savings

It is definitely cheaper to share a room or house with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.

3.  Visiting New Places

I love to travel and explore new cities. In addition to the race itself, there’s always time to see the sites.

4. Sharing Your Racing Experience With Others

You go to the expo together, carb load the night before, line up at the start and meet after the race to debrief.

5. Forging New Friendships

You may run together but spending 24/7 together for several days creates a strong bond.

And you learn many things about each other…

(Remember- What happens in ____________ stays in _____________, right?)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken a Girls Weekend Race-cation? 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.

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Yes, I know that the colors of the leaves are pretty and it’s easier to run with cooler temps

BUT:

1. I have to wear shoes.

IOW it’s really too cold for OOFOS and sandals.

Shoes hurt my toes.

Boots hurt my ankles.

Sigh.

2. Most flowers are dead.

You may be wondering what I will be taking pics of when I run.

I am too.

3. My after work running routes are limited.

There are no lights in my neighborhood or on any of the bike paths.

In fact, the only place I can run after work is UAlbany.  That was not so bad when I worked in my office (since it was nearby.)  But not when I am still working from home.

4. No more homegrown fruits and veggies.

Just the expensive tasteless ones in the supermarket.

5. Less likely to eat ice cream after my runs.

What will I eat post run, race or hike?

***What Fall really means:

Happy Running! How do feel about fall? 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.

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At the end of 2020, I set 15 goals for 2021. In 2022, I decided that it would be cool to keep those 15 and add 7 more. So 22 for ’22.

At the mid-year point, I posted an update. Read it here.

As you may have read, I had already met most of my goals and have continued to do so:

✓ Run at least 3 miles twice during the week. I usually run 3x a week and the runs are usually 3 miles.

✓  Go for a walk or hike on non-running days. YES!!

✓  Run long on the weekend. I run at least 8 miles.

✓  Continue to connect with friends on runs, walks and hikes. Yup!

✓  Sign up for in-person races. I’ve registered for 32 races so far.

✓ Go on a race-cation in February. I went to Florida.

✓  Plan a race-cation for the Fall. Done! Maine.

✓  Continue to blog at least once or twice a week. I blog 3x each week – Tues, Fri, Sun.

✓ Run 1000 miles for the year. I’m am ON track.

✓ Stay healthy!!!!! So far… knock on wood I’ve had ZERO sick days.

✓ Run a Sub 2:27 Half Marathon. 5 out of 6 of my half marathons have faster finish times.

✓ Volunteer at two or more races. I signed up for 2nd volunteer stint on Oct. 9.

✓ Run a NEW race. I’ve raced 3 already plus 4 more are planned.

✓ Run at least 22 races. I’ve raced 24 already….

thumbs UP for the 2022 goals…

Of course, there are those outstanding ones:

X Go to my gym (when it opens) once a week. It never opened. Sad about that! In fact, it looks permanently closed.

X Do some speed work to prepare for shorter races. Nope. I do want to run a few times on the track and may do that once I can run after work (with cooler temps.)

X Add some strength training somewhere somehow.  I did use machines at the YMCA during my 3 month trial membership.  Still minimally…. Zero Peloton workouts.

at least my mornings are free to run or I can sleep longer

X Once I start traveling again for work, run in NYC (for the sunsets and friend connections). I will no longer be going to NYC for work (unless I sub which I did twice this summer.)

hope to return (not for work) to run w/Cari in Oct.

X Complete more challenging hikes. I am hiking with running friends and I’ve enjoyed their companionship. I’ve decided that is more important than climbing mountains and fire towers

X Return to mentoring in the STEM program. A few of the mentors due the lack of organization in the spring have decided not to mentor this fall. I am not, as well.

it started with good intentions but the participants were not serious about running

X Buy less and Donate more. I’m still a sucker for running shoes and Skirtsports (on sale).

X Run a trail race. Nope. So far, it’s not something I’d enjoy. I’m not confident enough to race it and why pay $$ when I can walk/hike them for free. I’m not saying never but I need to practice running on technical ones before I sign up for a race.

happy to do easy scenic hikes rather than race

Happy Running!  Did you set goals for 2022?  How are you doing?  Did you already meet some of the goals? Are there ones that you are struggling with? Pease share.

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  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 blog

  

It’s been awhile so here are a few of my latest loves:

1. READING

I love to read but lately, I’ve been reading more than usual.  Boating could be the reason OR that I can’t sleep.  LOL

I enjoyed The Paris Wife and so I decided to read this one about Martha Gellhorn and her tumultuous relationship/marriage with Ernest Hemingway.  Just as good IMO.

I just finished this fast read murder mystery. I’ve read many of her previous books (The Women in Cabin10)

Now I’m reading this fun book.  I think Wendy recommended it.

2. WALKING THE TRAILS

I know I should learn to run on them and I did for a time…

But my races are on the road so I prepare for them by running on the road.

Then weekly (on Thursdays), I join my running friends to walk the trails (and then have ice cream.)

3. LIVE FLOWERS 

It’s great that the ones at Trader Joe’s are affordable and last a long time… And even sunflowers when they are in season!!

4. SALADS

There was time when I ate salads all the time for lunch and then I got sick of them.  Now that my friend supplies me with loads of home grown tomatoes, I’m back at it.

In addition to tomatoes, I add cranberries, lettuce, mandarin oranges… to my salad.

5. OUI Yogurt

I had tried this (because it’s “French”) and wasn’t a fan.  I was on the NOOSA bandwagon at the time.

Maple… pumpkin caramel… vanilla cookie… oh so goood!!

Healthy?  Who cares?

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.

I never look at my stats. I don’t have a big readership. And the goal for my blog is basically to have an account of my running/racing and connect with other runners with the same interests/goals.

That being said, I thought I’d give a look and see which posts people are reading/accessing.

Here are the most popular:

1.My Shoe History, Foot Pain and Zero Drop Shoes – obviously I’m not the only one with foot issues.

2. Grete’s Gallop 10K Race Recap – a popular Central park race (though I thought there were many other NYC races that are more popular IMO)

3.Super Hero Muffins – that reminds me that I should bake them again.

4.Breaking Up With Peloton – not sure if readers agree or disagree with my feelings about Peloton

5.Hommage to Skirt Sports – this was written when Skirt Sports was closing down but it has new ownership and is still in business.

Pretty interesting.

Happy Running! Do you check your blog stats?  Which of your posts has been the most popular?  Did it surprise 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 blog

Just one of his books.

I was looking for motivational quotes and I stumbled upon Joe Henderson’s.

The quotes below are both intriguing and motivational:

1.

2.

3. The hours, minutes and seconds stand as visible reminders that your effort put them all there. Preserve until your next run, when the watch lets you see how Impermanent your efforts are.

4.  A course never quite looks the same way twice. The combinations of weather, season, light, feelings and thoughts that you find there are ever-changing.

5. Where did you run today? Now there’s a question you don’t often hear.

And one more for good measure:

The challenge in running is not to aim at doing things no one has done but to keep doing things everyone could do – but most never will.

Happy Running? Ever hear of Joe Henderson?  What is your favorite running quote? 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.

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