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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Athena was the goddess of battle strategy, and wisdom

A running friend mentioned to me recently that at a race, she registered as an Athena because she thought she had a better chance of placing.

Well it turned out that she didn’t but she would have done better just entering by her age.

The Athena division only takes into account your weight. (The male equivalent is Clydesdale.)

Do Sara and Dimity look overweight to you? They often enter races in the Athena division.

So obviously if you are tall, you can fit into this division and not be overweight.

The Athena division is only available in some marathons and triathlons. And many women do not want to be considered an Athena even if they do qualify.

The weight limit for an Athena according to what I’ve read varies from race to race but is usually between 140-160 lbs.

Ok, so if you’re 5 feet tall, you may be overweight but not if you’re 5’10!

The rationale supposedly is that it’s harder to run fast if you are carrying extra pounds.

But shouldn’t it be BMI not just the number on the scale?

What do you think?

1.Should this division be offered?

2. In ALL races or just certain types or distances, if it is offered?

3. If you qualified, would you sign up?

4. Should you have to weigh in before the race (to keep things honest)?

4.Does being overweight give you an unfair disadvantage in a race?

Happy Running! Have you ever run a race as an Athena? 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

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For a while, we were running alone… and not socializing.

Now it seems than more and more runners are racing and running with other runners.

Please do not take anything I say below personal.

It’s just my opinion.  We all interact with others differently.  And than includes virtually.

Here are a few suggestions on How to Be a Better Running Friend:

1.  Give a Smile, Hug or High Five.

Sounds so simple.

It is especially welcomed when you haven’t seen a friend in a while.

Or you are passing them on a run.

Or before or after a race.

Yes, I forget sometimes because I am thinking about myself… my problems, my run…

2. Be flexible.

Obviously, you can’t always be. Some of us work full-time and others have childcare needs…

But try to coordinate runs to meet each other’s schedules. IOW, sometimes you have to run at a time that you do not prefer.

I work until 4 pm but sometimes I have to wait until a friend gets out of work or get up early and run before work (which is hard for me).

And when running with a friend, if they ask for company, you may have to be flexible on how you run… Intervals, run slower, etc.

I’m sure Jenny slowed down for me…

It’s easy for me to change to anyone’s pace. (I’m pretty loosey goosey)

Of course if you seriously training for a PR, you may only want to run with a slower friend occasionally.

3. Listen (and don’t always offer advice)

Another no brainer but we often tend to talk about ourselves… our injuries, our pace, our last race. (or is it just me?)

IOW, ask your friend after a run how it went.   Ask them if they raced recently and how they did.  If you know that they are not running due to an injury, ask they how they are feeling…

I ran, she walked but we celebrated together after

Even if you a a certified coach, not everyone wants advice and to hear everything you know on the subject.

Of course, if they ask, you should offer advice. If you’ve had a similar injury, if they ask, you can tell them what you did and if it worked.

4. Communicate and Be Dependable

You can choose whatever method method works for you – text, FB, phone call.

Call a friend to plan a meet-up or see what’s new with them.

Ask what races, they are planning to sign up for.  Share the races that you may be doing (so they can decide whether or not to join you.)

Obviously, respond promptly to calls, texts or invitations. And if you have to skip a run or meet-up, always offer a reason. (Friends will understand.)

By being dependable, I mean if you say you are going run or race, show up or contact someone to tell them that you are unable (Things happen.)  And be punctual.

brrr … glad Karen didn’t keep me waiting…

5. Provide Support.

This may be the most important.

There are so many ways to support your friends.  All of the above are examples.

Also, go to a race that you are not running and cheer your friend on. Or if you are running the race and you finish first, stay and cheer at the finish line.

You bet I was screaming “Go Judy!”

Try not to complain about your pace and say that you are “slow” or a “BOTP” runner.  We are all aware that pace is so individual.  So many variables play a part… How long have you been running? How old are you?  Are you recovering from an injury?  Have you been training for longer races? Etc.

Enough said.

and that includes my virtual friends

Happy Running?  Any other tips?  What is the most important to you when it comes to being a good running friend? 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.