September 20, 2019 by Darlene

The Dying Blogger

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

No bloggers are not literally dying but their blogs are.

Ten years ago, many of the local runners had blogs and that’s how I met them and that’s how we became friends. Yes, Amanda, Suzy, Melissa, Tammy, Janis, Bridget, Judith, etc no long blog. Luckily most of them are on IG or FB and I run into them at local races.

I also was fortunate to meet face to face with other bloggers that no longer blog.

Yes, I miss your blogs Tricia, Holly, Karen and MaryBeth. And Karen from France.

and AJH.

So Why Do I Continue to Blog?

1. To Stay Connected

I have quite a few local running friends but I enjoy reading about the escapades of my non-local running friends. And planning meet-ups.

I got to connect with current bloggers, Kim and Marcia

and Kim and Michelle.

I learn about races and products. I get inspired by every blog I read.

2. To Be Accountable

I update each week of running and I plan my next week.

Would I run if I didn’t do this. Yes, of course. But posting it on my blog does help motivate me to get out there.

Yes, I did this!! My longest run ever!

3. To Share Interests (and Photos)

I enjoy writing but I mostly enjoy taking photos of my travels, runs, and races.

My blog is a venue to just post what I do and hopefully others will enjoy viewing or reading.

4. To Inspire Others

I hope that especially anyone who has hesitated to start running (at an advanced age) will read my blog and RUN! Or anyone who has hesitated to run a half marathon will do it? Or anyone who works full-time and has felt stressed about training… etc etc.

I’m 66 and running has made me feel healthier, stronger, happier and more confident than ever.

5. To Expand My Network

Yes, I am always looking for new blogs to follow, to learn about new races, new products, to meet new runners. If you blog and I don’t follow you, let me know!

If you are running the NYC Marathon, let’s meet up!!!

Happy Running! Do you blog? How long have you been blogging? Do you ever think about stopping? How long do you think you will keep it up? Please share.

September 13, 2019 by Darlene

Running & Dieting

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

As I listen to podcasts and read blogs about fitness and running, two topics often pop up. Weight and Pace.

I am just as guilty as the next one in talking about both.

It dawned on me that there are a lot of similarities in wanting to LOSE WEIGHT and wanting to RUN FASTER (these are only in MY OPINION not based on anything else):

1. Quantity Matters

In other words, if you have 50 pounds to lose,10 lbs come off a lot quicker than if you only have to lose 10 lbs. (This I know from a contest among my tennis friends).
If you start off running a 40 minute 5k, you can shave 3-4 minutes off your finish time easier than a runner who starts out running a 30 minute 5k. (This I also know from experience too.)

2. The Plateau

Yes, it happens.

You take off some weight and then it stops. No matter you do, it’s hard to drop more. In fact, you may even gain some back.
You get faster and faster and then all of sudden, you do not. Your finish times stay about the same and for some races, your time is slower.

Frustrating, right?

3. Comparisons

Yes, everyone makes them. It’s normal.

You compare yourself to others. “I wish I was as thin as…”

You compare yourself to you at a different time. “I wish I was thin like when I was …. years old”

The same goes with running.

You wish you were as fast as someone else or as fast as you used to be.

4. Harder as You Age

Our metabolism slows down. You naturally gain weight as you age.

I am at a heavier weight than ever and I am more active than ever.

So it goes.

As you get older, your pace will slow down. There’s no formula for when this will happen (it depends on how long you’ve been running) but it will happen.

That is life.

5. Over Sharing and Social Media

Blogs, Facebook, Instagram.

Sharing of weight loss journeys. Buff bodies, etc.
Running photos, finish times, paces for runs.

Again I am not being critical because I am guilty of this too.

6. Not Satisfied rather than Grateful.

Wanting to improve is a good thing.

So wanting to be at a healthy weight is great.

The negative is focusing too much on body image and how you look. (Thank you media.)

Wanting to be a better runner and to challenge yourself is also admirable.

Running faster is not what running should be about.

This rings home to me right now as I have two running friends to undergoing treatment for cancer.

You need to be grateful that you are healthy and that you are able to run.

no pics in this post so I have added one of my current favorites.

Happy Running! Does any of this ring home to you? Do you think there is too much emphasis in blog posts on running pace and weight/dieting?

September 6, 2019 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date for September

It’s that time of the month…

to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that the logistics for my first marathon – NYCM are set.

Hotel for Nov 2 & 3 – booked (free with pts)
Train to NYC on Nov 2 – booked(free with pts)
Bus home on Nov 4 – booked ($1 megabus)

On August 1, I battled the website and signed up for my baggage and transportation.

Who knew it was this complicated?

I chose the Poncho as recommended instead of post-race bag check.

Image result for nycm poncho option

And I picked the 7 am bus to the start instead of the ferry.

Related image

I’d love to take the ferry to watch the sunrise on the Hudson River but after you arrive in Staten Island, you still have to board a bus.

Just seems easier to walk to the NY Public Library from my hotel and take ONE bus to the start.

If you have already run NYCM, which options did you choose and did you make the right decision in the end?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that traveling with my job is picking up. That will be making my mid-week mileage quite challenging.

3 miles instead of 6

But it is what it is.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate in the next two months so at least I get complete all my long runs.

Anyone else keep their weekday runs short (or even skip them) and concentrate only on long runs when training for a big race?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that last two weeks while I was working in NYC, all my friends at home were seeing Hamilton locally.

FOMO.

I could see it on Broadway since I’m there so often but I’m always running!!

I finally broke down and bought a ticket.

Can’t wait!! (And Marathon training will be over!!)

Have you seen this show?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that tomorrow I am running a half marathon in RI. I had planned to run this race at some point because my college roommate built a home (on the water) nearby. But I couldn’t go until this year….and then I signed up for my first full marathon.

So it will just be a training run. It should be hilly but have beautiful water views. Perfect conditions for relaxed 13.1 miles, right?

Anyone else run a half marathon and use it as only a training run?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that for work I went to NYC three times in August (5 days, 3 days and 3 days) and this week, as well (3 days).

I ran a race in Brooklyn, ran along the Hudson and East Rivers and in Central Park.

Then there’s nothing there for me until the NYCM on Nov. 3.

So of course, I signed up for a 10K race on Oct 5.

Do you have a favorite city to run or race in?

One more for good measure –

6 .Over coffee…

I’d tell you that a few weeks ago, I ran along the Hudson River in NYC so I could see the GW Bridge and the Little Red Lighthouse.

I learned that a book was written about it.

Ever buy a children’s book?

It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!

August 30, 2019 by Darlene

Runfessions for August

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I was raced obsessed again this month. Three races but TWO races in ONE week!

August 14, a 5k in Brooklyn
August 17, a local 5k

(I came to my senses and DNSed a one mile race on Aug 19. Good thing, I was in NYC working on Aug 21 so I couldn’t run another 5k.)

Anyone else ever run more than one race in a week?

2. I runfess…

I am still confused on the shoe/foot issue.

One day the pain is gone. One day for no reason, it is back.

I’ve gone back to wearing my neutral Nikes for short distances. Sometimes they are fine. Sometimes not.

Then I added my insoles to my new Mizunos for long runs and they felt better…sorta.

Anyone wear different shoes for different distances?

3.I runfess…

Last month I bought a new Garmin, a 230 but I have yet to try it. Still doing my weekly runs naked and my races with my Garmin 205.

Anyone else hesitate to make technology changes or when you buy a new watch, do you use it right away?

4.I runfess…

Every year, my tennis friends and I go to NYC to see a Broadway show.

I do the organizing so I picked this show:

won a Tony for best musical

and got group tix for October 5.

Yup, this 10k race is why I chose Oct. 5.

Do plan races when you visit another city? Anyone else running Grete’s Great Gallop?

5.I runfess…

I used to play tennis almost everyday and on numerous teams. Then running came into the picture and tennis no longer seemed to fit.

2010 was the last year that I seriously competed o a tennis team

I thought I didn’t miss it but I watched tennis at the Aurora Games and last weekend, I hung out with my tennis friends. And now the US Open is on TV.

Yup, I do miss it.

Has running replaced any other activity in your life? Do you think that you will ever stop running?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

August 23, 2019 by Darlene

Loving

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

It’s time for a What Am I Loving Now post so that’s my topic this week.

1. Before Work Monday Runs

I am usually in the office on Mondays, getting ready to travel or train the rest of the week. So all of a sudden, I decided to drag myself out of bed before work and RUN.

It is cooler in the morning and it just makes my day a whole lot better. It also frees up evenings to do other things.

2. Wednesday Ice Cream Runs

Thanks to a running friend (and former tennis team member), on Wednesday evenings, there is an organized run each week, ending at a different ice cream shop.

Yes, run some miles and re-carb load. A no brainer!

3. Thursday Trail Runs

Our local running club (ARE) organizes runs on different local trails every week. Until recently, I was too nervous to partake.

Well, I didn’t fall and wasn’t last. Trail running IS fun!

4. Long Run Saturdays

I love ALL my running friends and they have gotten me through quite a few long runs.

But even better than the runs, are the conversations had over brunch afterward.

5. Boating Sundays

Because they follow Long Run Saturdays, there is nothing better for the legs than

relaxing on an island

or on the boat…

or at the marina.

Happy Running! What are you loving right now? Please share.

August 16, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fall 2019

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

As the days are getting shorter (sigh), it reminds that Fall is right around the corner. I am a planner. I mean, I already booked my half marathon hotel and flight for February months ago.

So what are my plans for the Fall?

1. NYCM Training

Nov. 3, 2019

11 weeks to go!!!

I have a loose plan and so far so good. 12 miles are scheduled for this weekend. But it’s doesn’t get crazy until September.

2. Weekday Runs with Friends

In addition to mileage getting crazy, work travel will be picking up this Fall. I will be traveling around NYS 6 weeks from August – October. So when I am in town, I hope to be able to coordinate after work runs with friends.

3. Weekend Boating

The marina does not close until after Columbus Day. So hopefully, the weather will cooperate so I can squeeze some fall weather boating on the weekend (when I am not running.)

4. Two Half Marathons as Training Runs

How can you make marathon training less painful?

The first one will be in September for my 13 miler and the next one be in October for my 20 mile training run.

Mohawk Hudson Marathon

5. Spending Quality Time with Friends

Sometimes, you can forget that running is not the most important thing in your life. Especially when you are training for your first marathon.

So I made sure I scheduled time away with my friends.

I will be visiting my college roommate in RI in September.

I will be spending the weekend on the Schroon River with my mah jongg friends.

And I also will be going to NYC with my tennis friends.

Happy Running! Do you have exciting plans for the Fall? Please share.

August 9, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five: Trail Running

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am clumsy. I have fallen when running on the road and have fallen even during races.

check out the blood streaming down my leg

So who would have guessed that this summer, I am running (NOT racing) on trails.

Obviously after five trail runs, I am not an expert but here are some of my tips to enjoy your time running on the trails:

1. Wear Proper Running Shoes.

You can run with normal running shoes but wearing shoes made for trail running will give you more grip on the uneven rocky or muddy ground. It will also give you peace of mind.

we got muddy but no one fell

2. Use Bug Spray/Tick Repellent.

Yes, trails especially in the summertime are buggy. I even spray insect repellent on my clothes. I also wear compression calf sleeves to protect my legs from ticks.

sweaty but smiling because we had no bug bites

3. Never Run Alone.

Because on the trails there is a greater possibility of either getting lost or falling, I think it is always best to run with a buddy. If you are alone (or get separated from your friend), make sure you have a charged cell phone with you!

hanging with my buddy Deirdre at Lawson Lake

4. Run on Different Trails.

Even running on the SAME trails can get boring. If you are not fortunate to be part of group-organized trail runs, explore the Internet and the AllTrails app to find trails within driving distance of where you love or work. You’ll be surprised at how many hidden treasures you’ll discover.

at Five Rivers minutes from where I live

5. Slow Down and Enjoy the Scenery

In other words, look around. Listen to the different sounds. Don’t miss a distant lake or not stop at an overlook. Trail running definitely gives you the opportunity to appreciate nature more. It’s ok to walk. It’s not the time to work on speed. I recommend not even wearing a watch!!

stopping an an overlook in Thacher Park

Happy Running! Do run on trails? If so, any other tips? Please share.

August 2, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five and the Ultimate Coffee Date for August

It’s that time of the month…

still loving my France mugs

to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I only ran ONE race in July.

But I’m making up for it in August.

I signed up for FOUR (almost 5) this month.

08-03-19 – Hudson River Ramble (8 m)
08-14-19 – Al Goldstein 5k (in Brooklyn)
08-17-19 – Jailhouse Rock 5k
08-19-19 – Saratoga Track Mile

I have run them all before (except the one mile race). The Hudson Ramble is slightly different – used to be Race the Train (same course) but there is no longer a train.

I have a hair appt. on August 21 and will miss the the Hump Day 5k. 😦

last year’s Hump Day 5k

Only two are on a weekend so it should not disrupt marathon training too much.

Do you run many races in the summer?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I made the hotel reservation right away but finally made my flight reservations for my February race in Bermuda. I know it’s still early but flights are expensive and it was nerve racking trying to decide which days to go to take advantage of the cheaper prices.

Cari and I finally settled on leaving late Wed and returning early Monday. Four days and 5 nights in paradise!!!

Feb 12-17, 2020 – 2 mile sunset race on Feb 15 and a half marathon on Feb 16.

Anyone else running this race? When will you be there? I’d love to meet up.

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that (not running-related sorry) that my new kitty become more manageable. He goes outside all the time but he comes home when I call him.

I mean, I am marathon training, I don’t have time for his shenanigans. lol

In fact, he came home just for this photo.

Does you pet interfere with your running?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I love my OLD Garmin 205.

People laugh when they see it but it’s great to be able to see all 4 screens of data on ONE screen.

I’m on my third one. The battery life eventually wears out and I order a new one.

Being that I will be running a full marathon that may take me 6 hours, I was nervous that my trusty Garmin battery may not last as long as my race.

So I ordered a (used) new one.

Garmin 230

Anyone else have the 230? If so, do you like it?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that actually the one I ordered was white. I am cheap and didn’t want to pay more for the purple one. So I bought the white one and then bought a (cheap) purple band.

Does color matter to you? If so, what’s your favorite color?

It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!

July 26, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five Runfessions for July

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I almost went to a race without registering first. I always run the Silks and Satins 5K so I guess I thought I did register. I am not a last minute person so I would have registered a while ago.

So a few days before the race, I went to the website to see which of my friends were running it and I did NOT see my name.

Oops. Senior brain!

I registered that day. Phew.

Anyone else ever show up to a race without registering first?

2. I runfess…

I did not travel at all in July.

So it was a challenge to keep running interesting. I get bored easily and don’t like to run in the same places.

So I don’t. See below:

Rail Trail … Washington Park … UAlbany

Zim Smith Trail … Corning Bike Path … Nisky Bike Path

Anyone else try to vary where you run or do you run in the same places?

3.I runfess…

I ordered a new pair of Mizunos. Why??

My right foot all of sudden started having that annoying bunion pain that I had years ago. It’s fine until after 5-6 miles which is what I’ll be doing every weekend until Nov 3!!

I’m pretty sure it is not from running but job-related – ugh those dress shoes and standing for hours in them. (They are comfortable until the end of the day… and then they’re not.)

happy in my Nikes

The benefit of a blog is that I could look up when my foot stopped hurting. It seems to be the fall of 2015 when I bought my Nike Vomero running shoes. I recently stopped wearing them because I wanted to run in a stability shoe instead after a calf injury.

The Mizunos were super comfortable for THREE half marathons and now this pain…

Hmmm? Do I go back? To my Nikes?

Can I be happy again in my Mizunos?

So recently I ran the first 3 miles of my long run in my Nikes and the last 5 miles in my new Mizunos (but I forgot to put in the expensive insoles).

The Nikes felt more comfortable.

Dear Mizunos,

I’m not giving up on you yet.

Anyone else have the running shoe dilemma?

4. I runfess…

31 Days of Skirt was pretty exhausting. I do take a lot of pictures and post to Instagram often but not everyday and not following certain clues.

: #patriotic

: #BRFs

: #street art/mural

Still it was fun to participate in this annual challenge but glad it’s ALMOST over LOL.

Did you participate in 31 days of skirt or any other similar challenge?

5.I runfess…

I was pretty proud that I had a training schedule for my first marathon. I actually planned to follow it.

But all I do is cross things out and re-write things.

That’s why, I rarely use a plan.

Anyone else have problem following a training plan?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

July 12, 2019 by Darlene

Summer Lovin’, I mean Runnin’

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers. (This is a re-post with some updates.)

Summer is finally upon us. And I am loving it. (Really I am!)

Here are some of MY personal tips to enjoy it even more.

1. Stop complaining and posting about the temps and humidity.

Ok, I do it too. But it’s early in the summer and I am sick of reading about how the heat has affected your speed and stamina.

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

Do you enjoy running in the summer or just do it because you have to?

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 all that rain, this summer, the bugs are insane.

the ice cream helped as well as the socks lol

Do you protect your legs from ticks and mosquitoes?

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.

Image result for cap run hair don't care What do you wear on your head to protect it from the sun?

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 the Long Haul skirt from Skirt Sports. It has two pockets in the back that each hold a small water bottle.

How do you make sure you drink enough water during your summer runs?

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.