April 26, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – Girls Weekends

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.

If you follow me, you probably know at least once a year, I go away to run a race with the “girls.”

It just wouldn’t be as much fun with the hubby. I am sure you know what I mean.

Well, I am so excited because my next one is THIS WEEKEND!

April 27, 2019

My topic for today is: The Benefits of a Girls Weekend for Racing

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 with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.

in Montreal

In Panama City, Holly had graciously offered her home to 7 running bloggers – most of whom she has never met in person.

Panama City Beach

3. Visiting New Places

I love to travel and explore new cities. I had never been to Philly or Panama City Beach or Corning, NY or Montreal (without my French students). I had stayed in Las Vegas before (but not in many years and not to run a race.)

Cooperstown, NY

4. Sharing Your Race Experience

I have raced most of my half marathons alone. I have enjoyed each one but not nearly as much as the ones in Philly, Panama City, Corning, Las Vegas or Montreal. We went to the expo together, carb loaded the night before, lined up at the start and met after the race to debrief.

Philly

I am sure the same will be true this weekend and I expect it to be totally awesome!!

5. Forging New Friendships

The Philly group has kept in touch on Facebook. I have bumped into Andrea at several races. We had planned another race-cation with Lisa but ZOOMA Cape Cod got cancelled. We still hope that another will happen in the future.

Andrea from Philly race

I only knew my housemates in Panama City Beach virtually but after that weekend, we definitely became friends. Many of us even repeated that experience in Vegas.

My current group of local running friends (Sole Sisters) will be embarking on our third girls weekend. First there was Corning, NY, then Montreal and now Brooklyn…

we do local races together as well

I can’t wait to share everything that happens next weekend in NYC!!!

(Maybe not everything – What happens in NYC stays in NYC, right?)

Happy Running! Do you go on Girls Weekends? Do you race during them?

April 19, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – Why Not to Race Frequently

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.

If you follow me, you probably know that I love to race and am a big proponent of signing up for lots of races. I posted about this last Friday.

My FTC coach tells me all the time that I race too much. “Just pick a goal race and train for it,” he says.

My topic for today is: The Downside of Frequent Racing

1. Money

It costs a lot money to race all the time. Money that may be better spent on other things (like a race-cation, pair of shoes, etc. even non-running related items)

Related image

2. Scheduling

You can run any time and anywhere. But when you sign up for a race, you are locked into the day and time of that race. You may have to forget that you have family and friends.

Image result for running race memes

3. Weather Conditions

Yes, you wind up running in the rain or snow or sub-zero conditions.

Image result for meme race fees

If it weren’t for the race, you may run indoors, later in the day or on different day.

a wet 5 mile race

4. Injuries

Of course, if you are injured or feel that you may be injured, you might rest for a few days or run easy. Not if you have registered for a race. You go out there and run. And if you competitive like me, you race it.

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The consequences could be making your injury worse and being forced to DNS an important race.

I was very lucky that a 5 week calf injury did not get worse by running this half marathon

5. Training for Long Races

If you run long races, your training plan usually includes a long run each week. These runs should be at an easy pace. Running shorter races on the weekend does not allow this to happen. Yes, you can race (as I do) and add on miles before or after the race.

5k race + 7 = 10

But it probably doesn’t prepare for race day as well as if you do those LSD runs.

Happy Running! Do you race frequently? Why or why not?

April 12, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – Frequent Racing

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.

If you follow me, you probably know that I love to race and am a big proponent of signing up for lots of races.

haha My Favorite Run

My topic for today is: The Benefits of Frequent Racing

1. Cool Swag.

Sometimes, it’s just a shirt but lots of times, it is a bag, water bottle, fuel samples, and other running-related goodies. If you are fortunate, it could be a hat or a jacket.

half zip, bottle of champagne and a wine glass

nice sweatshirt

2. Meet New and Old Friends

Many of my running friends, I have met at a race. It is so fun to see a familiar face at a race and chat…about running, of course. – Laurie, Melissa & Jenny, Holly & Jackie.

If you do not have anyone to run with, sign up for races. I bet you will meet someone who would be perfect to accompany you on a few of your runs.

3. Free Food

I love to eat especially to replenish the calories burned during running.

Of course, not all races have a large selection of food but if you are lucky, there may be pizza and my favorite, ice cream.

4. Replaces Speed Workouts

I am the first to admit it. I know that I should, but I don’t do speed drills, tempos, intervals, hill repeats, strides, etc. So for me, I guess my speed workout happens during a race. I’ll do those hills, run sprints because I have no choice. And I’ll try to do them well because I am a competitive person.

5. Gets You Out There During the Week

When it is cold, windy and just plain nasty and I don’t feel like running, if I have a race scheduled for the weekend, I will make myself get out there and run. I know if I don’t run during the week, then my finish time will suffer, I may get injured and/or the race will be unpleasant. It takes a long time to get in shape and such a short time to feel out of shape.

Happy Running! Do you race frequently? Why or why not?

April 5, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five & Ultimate Coffee Date – April

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 April is becoming a busy running month. A half marathon, a 5 mile race and a 15k.

Image result for helderberg to hudson half marathon

April 13

Yikes.

I guess it’s racing season in the NE.

Does your racing pick up this time of year?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that six of us Sole Sisters (originally there were 7 but one got hurt 😦 ) are planning a girls weekend in NYC.

We already have tix to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Prospect Park, Avenue Q on Broadway and several restaurant reservations.

Oh yeah, there’s also a race in there somewhere.

April 27

Do you like to go on girls weekends away? Do they always involve running?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that we have a new kitten (We got him March 2). It’s not-running related but whatever. He hid for the first two weeks we had him and then he only came out at night. Still skittish but getting better.

He came with the name Meow Meow but we changed it to Champ (because he came in a Champion shoe box). See it is running-related LOL

We had 2 cats die this year. When your pets die, do you immediately replace them?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I always say that I am ONE and done when I run a half marathon. But I enjoyed the NYC Half so much, I secretly wished that I had “raced” it and got a fast enough time for 2020.

Hopefully, I can run it again when I’m 70 (the qualifying time is much slower).

Do you repeat big races?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that at that Tennis National Qualifier that my hubby went to the same weekend I ran a half marathon in Florida, his team WON!

Normally, I would be excited because now the team gets to go to Nationals in Palm Springs, CA. I would have loved to go too (and I have a good friend who lives there.)

What weekend is the tennis tournament scheduled for?

Nov 2-4, 2019!!!!

Nov. 3, 2019

Should I insist that my hubby come to NYC instead of playing tennis?

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

March 29, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – Runfessions for March

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

Well, it’s finally spring although it often still feels like winter.

1. I runfess…

I so wanted it to be spring for the United NYC Half that I dressed like it…and I froze. 30s with wind and I wore a skirt, baseball cap and short sleeves. Everyone else was wearing tights, beanie and jacket. Obviously they are smarter than I am.

Thank goodness for heat shields.

Would you rather be cold or warm when you run?

2. I runfess…

After my previous half, I walked around a garden for several hours and then on the beach. I wound up with a strained calf muscle.

So you would think that I’d learn my lesson.

Do you relax after you run a half marathon?

3. I runfess…

Once again I signed up for the Freihofer Training Challenge group. It meets on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Not sure why… FOMO??

I often to my long runs on the weekend (in preparation for my big races) so neither of these days are convenient.

I’ll do my best to attend some of them…but seriously what was I thinking?

first Monday night

Do you belong to a running group?

4. I runfess…

I’ve always been a naysayer about massages, foam rollers and chiropractors.

That was before my recent injury.

Those ART sessions may or may not have made it possible for me to run the NYC Half pain-free.

maybe I’ll even buy tape…

I told my chiro that I may continue to come see her as maintenance before each of my big races. Hey, the visits are covered by insurance..

I even made a foam roller out of 2 tennis balls.

I used a sock instead.

Do you regularly visit a chiropractor or get sports massages?

5. I runfess…

I was worrying about all my upcoming races that I had (impulsively) signed up for when I was injured. I even skipped one of the my favorite races.

Now I’m back in racing mode.

And I signed up for this one on Sunday.

Do you get FOMO and sign up for a lot of races?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 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.

March 22, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – What Happened at the NYC Half Marathon

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.

Two weeks ago, I posted about how all FIVE things that I hoped for at the Publix Florida Half Marathon DID NOT happen.

Last Friday, I wrote about Five Things that I hoped would happen during the NYC Half Marathon.

In case you are in suspense…

My topic for today is: What happened at the NYC Half Marathon

March 17, 2019

If you follow my blog, you know that after many lottery attempts, I got an guaranteed entry to the NYC Half Marathon. The Brooklyn Half in May 2018 was a miserable experience – weather-wise but my finish time (2:11:23) was good enough.

I did not set goals for the race but as I did with my previous half marathon, I wrote about hopes and “hoped” that I would be more successful for this race.

1. I hope that it doesn’t rain.

CHECK.

It was cold (colder than predicted) and windy but it did not rain (and the sun came out by the end.)

2. I hope to meet up with running friends and/or make new friends.

Check.

I rode down on the bus to NYC and sat next to someone I had never met and she was running the race. Lots of great conversation.

I spent time with Cari at the expo and after the race. We had fun, as usual.

I knew 3 local runners doing it and waved to one of them during the race.

3. I hope to run relatively pain-free.

Check.

Zero pain from the calf. YAY!!

Of course, my legs were toast by mile 10 (and the last 2 miles in the park were torture) because I was very undertrained.

4. I hope to beat my last half marathon time (of 2:20:29).

Check.

It was a very tough course and I was recovering from an injury so I was very happy!! (The course was long, as well).

5. I hope to enjoy the race and the day.

Check.

I ran around Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, over the Manhattan Bridge, through Manhattan (and Tines Square) and ending in Central Park. – lots of sights to view – the atmosphere was electric and the crowd support amazing. It was even better than I could have imagined. NYC rocks.

Thanks Cari for the pic. I had tears in my eyes running here.

Happy Running!

March 15, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five: NYC Half Marathon

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.

My topic for today is: Five Hopes for the NYC Half Marathon

Image result for nyc half marathon 2019

I never set goals for my races but I do wish/hope for certain things. Maybe I will be more successful for this race than the last.

1. I hope that it doesn’t rain.

Yes, I am sick of being wet and getting blisters. October weather would be ideal. See below:

Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off

2. I hope to meet up with running friends and/or make new friends.

I know a few runners doing it. With over 30,000 runners signed up, I am sure to meet some others. I am taking the bus from Manhattan to the start line (and my wave starts an hour after the first wave) so there will be plenty of time to bond and chat.

3. I hope to run relatively pain-free.

This is an important one. No fun to run with pain. Plus, I have several more big races in the coming months.

are you listening, Calf?

4. I hope to beat my last half marathon time.

It’s a tough course and I am recovering from an injury so I will be ok if I don’t.

2:20:28 or bust LOL

5. I hope to enjoy the race and the day.

Running around Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, over the Manhattan Bridge, through Manhattan and ending in Central Park. – lots of sights to view – can’t beat this NYC skyline.

See the source image .

Happy Running! Anyone else running the NYC Half Marathon? If so, let’s plan a meet-up.

March 8, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five: What didn’t happen during my last half marathon

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.

I ran my first half marathon of 2019 last month- the Publix Florida Half Marathon. (Read my review HERE.)

Before the race I posted about 5 things that I wanted to happen. This is a follow-up on that post.

So my Topic this week is: Five Things That Did Not Happen During This RACE

1. Good Weather

Nope. Pouring rain, heat, wind, 99% humidity. UGH!!!

On a positive note, it was the only day of my vacation that I did not enjoy great weather.

2. No pain.

Around mile 5, I started getting a blister on one foot and shortly after, the bottom of the other foot started to ache. And as you know, if you read my blog, the day after, my calf got injured while walking along the beach (could be related to the race … or not)

wet crazed runner in pain with her race belt falling off the whole race

3. Ocean Views

Well, I think there were ocean views. At least there was water but too cloudy, foggy to see a single thing!!

At least I got a closer look after the race until it started to downpour again.

4. Age Group Award

At my age, this is always a possibility. If I didn’t give up during the second half of the race (6 minutes slower than the first half), I could have won an award. Coming in 4th is frustrating.

5. Finish under 2:15.

Not expecting a PR (under 2:06:52) since I did not train for one. But 2:15 was doable. Believe it or not, my finish time was slower than my super hilly half in November. How is that possible?

Of course there were lessons learned like with every race/experience:

You can’t control the weather. Just deal with it.
Wear compression sleeves even it is hot because you always do.
Not all races are scenic. At least there was lots of music and good food at the end.
Anything can and will happen during a race. Can’t predict finish times even on the same course.
You can’t win them all. Even if you run a great race, awards depend on who shows up. If you run a bad race, you may even win.

Next up:

United Airlines NYC Half-Marathon

Happy Running! Do you have any goals for your first BIG race or any race in 2019? If you raced already, did you meet all or any of your goals? What did you learn from the experience? Please share.

March 1, 2019 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date for March & Friday Five

It’s that time of the month…

Starbucks Coffee City Mug Collection- Florida, 16 Oz Cup

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

Where I live, we’re in the middle of winter so it’s HOT coffee in the morning before work and red wine in front of the fireplace at night. I am still savoring the memory of the warm weather from when I was in Florida last month (hence the mug lol).

1. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that my award from my October 28 race recently arrived. Better later than never! AG awards always brighten up my day. I put it on my desk at work.

Do you get excited about age group awards? Do you display them somewhere visible?

2. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I am honored to be selected for this list:

Be sure to check the site out to see which other blogs are listed and if your blog fits the criteria (you are a runner over 50 years old), submit your blog’s URL:

https://blog.feedspot.com/senior_running_blogs/

Have you heard of this list? Are you listed or will you submit your blog (if you are senior enough) to it?

3. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I have used Daily Mile to track my miles since I started running in 2008. As of March 20, they are shutting down!!!

as of Feb 20, 2019 – love the donut stat

I am looking into other sites/apps so I don’t have to manually put my miles into Excel. I don’t wear a watch except when I race so I can’t just sync it all.

I’m thinking of using RunningAHEAD or Strava. Both are free and easy to use.

Anyone else use Daily Mile? How do you keep track of your miles?

4. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I am VERY nervous about my next Half Marathon. It’s my 35th but it will be the first one without much running going into it due to resting my leg because of a possible injury. (Actually my 2nd, I walked most of one in 2011 for the same reason.)

Image result for racing with an injury meme

Have you run a half marathon with a injury or recent injury?

5. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that yesterday they announced the lottery winners for the NYC Marathon. I know of 3 local runners who got in. Sad that my neighbor and my running pal, Sherry, did not.

Of the 117,709 applicants who registered for entry, ONLY 10,510 were accepted. So glad that I made the decision to accept my guaranteed entry.

Who else got in yesterday?

Though it’s not until November, I have started getting excited about my first marathon.

Any other recommendations for things to purchase on Amazon? lol

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! What are you drinking to stay warm?

February 15, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – NYCM 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.

My topic for today is: Five Reasons Why I Signed Up to Run the NYC Marathon

If you follow my blog, you know that I said that I was going to register for the NYC Marathon … Well, I did!

It’s my first marathon and if you wondering, here’s why:

1. I had a guaranteed entry.

So many runners have to enter the lottery and I didn’t. The Brooklyn Half 2018 was a miserable experience – weather-wise but my finish time (2:11:23) was good enough.