July 29, 2016 by Darlene

Five Five: Take a Hike

My Friday Five topic this week is Why I Like To Hike.

By hiking, I don’t mean climbing mountains (though maybe someday and not alone). I mean doing walking trails especially ones with a view at the end.

No Pace or Distance To Worry About

You can go slow or fast. Run or Walk. You can go as far as you want and then go back to where you started. Pretty simple.

2. It’s Great Exercise.

Your legs are going up and down. Over rocks and trees. You also use your arms to help you climb or hold onto trees. It’s a workout!

3. You Get To See Nature At Its Finest.

Trees, flowers, birds, animals. Butterflies are my favorite.

4. It’s Peaceful.

I spent quite some time on my last hike just sitting and looking out.

5. It’s FREE.

Most hiking trails are well-marked, have parking and don’t cost a thing.

There are 11 trails near Lake George. I have done 2 (the easiest ones). I would only attempt some of the others with a partner.

About 15 miles north, there are 8 more trails. I plan to do the challenge above this summer. I already hiked four last Monday

Cougar Trail

Dynamite Hill

Stewart Mountain

Chester Creek

I’m linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

Happy Running! Do you like to hike?

July 22, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: NYC

My Friday Five topic this week is My Favorite Things To Do in NYC

It’s no secret that I love NYC and I try to visit as often as I can. When I go, I like to be active. So here are my 5 favorites:

Run In Central Park

You can either take a City Running Tour where you have a guide who tells the history of what you are seeing while you run….

our tour guide

or you can get a map and run around the park on your own. You do have to go back many times. The park is HUGE!!!

Jackie O Reservoir

Either way, you must do it.

2. Take a Food Tour

There are quite a few that your can take. I have done Greenwich Village and Little Italy with Best Tours (2 hour tours) and NoHo/Nolita with Foods of New York (3 hour tours). All were excellent. You walk, learn about the history and culture of the area and EAT!! I can’t wait to do another.

Italian pastries – yum!

bagels 🙂

best pizza ever

sorry no pic of the black out cupcake but it was delish!!

3. Run a Race

There are so many to choose from. Check out NYCRuns.org or NYRR.org for the schedule.

after the Dash to the Finish 5k

4. Visit a Museum

Don’t worry, the museums are large and you will get a lot of walking in.

My favorites are:

MOMA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

NY Botanical Gardens

Here is a complete list of ALL the NYC museums – https://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html

5. Take a Boat Ride

Okay, you don’t get a lot of exercise on the boat but you can walk around when you get off.

The most popular one is the Circle Line Cruise to see the Statue of Liberty and or Ellis Island.

I love taking the Staten Island Ferry (and it’s FREE).

There are also boats that you can eat on such as the North River Lobster Company.

I could keep on going and going but I’ll just add one more:

6. Walk the streets or the High Line and people watch.

You never know who you will see on the street. Anyone recognize him?

my BFF on The High Line

I even made my hubby walk it

Happy Running! Have you done any of the above in NYC? Anything else to add as your favorite?

July 8, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Summer Food

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My Friday Five topic is Favorite Summer Eats

Keep in mind that I don’t cook or bake much.

Salads

Just buy a bag of lettuce, a cooked chicken, dressing and some fruit and voila.

2. Fruit

Love summer fruit – cherries, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries. etc.

3. Smoothies.

I used to buy these at Starbucks but now I make them – cocoa, banana, protein powder, almond milk…

4. Barbecues

I only seem to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs when they are on the grill. Also love steaks, sausage, chicken. NOT A VEGETARIAN.

5. Ice Cream

This improves any summer day.

Happy Running! What food do you enjoy in the summer?

June 10, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Healthy Starbucks

My Friday Five topic is Five Ways to Make Starbucks Healthier

Since I rarely cook or bake anything healthy or exciting, I decided to write about Starbucks. I’m experienced in this area..

Healthy Starbucks sounds like an oxymoron but believe it is not, you can get your daily fix and not go out on a limb calorie-wise.

1. Order online using the App.

When you order using the app, besides not having to wait online, you can more easily customize what exactly you want. There are customizations that you wouldn’t even know exist. Less caffeine, less ice, sugar-free options, milk options, etc.

2. Skip the Whipped Cream.

I know that frappuccinos and lattes look and taste better but you can save 100 calories. Instead add some cinnamon, chocolate or cinnamon powder on top.

foam, no whip

3. Skip the Sugar.

You can easily add the calorie-free syrups or artificial sweeteners. I like to carry my own Truvia or Stevia with me.

light mocha

4. Substitute Soy or Coconut Milk.

iced chai tea latte with coconut milk

5. Add Protein Powder.

I love the chocolate banana smoothies. I often have them before or after a run. But you can add protein powder to any Starbucks drink. You can also add a banana.

I’m addicted to these.

Okay, you may be saying that that it is costly and everything you add costs extra. True.

But keep your eye out for afternoon half price specials and days when you get double stars, etc. Eventually you will earn a FREE drink. (That’s when I go for the Venti size!!)

FYI:

Happy Running! Anyone else a Starbucks addict? Any other suggestions?

June 3, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: FRW

My Friday Five topic is Five Reasons to Run the Freihofer’s Run Fort Women(Again)

Why am I running this race for the 9th time?

It’s an all women’s race.

frw3

Young and old. Fast and Slow. 4,000 women with one thing in common – running.

2. It attracts elite runners.

Very cool to see the really FAST and famous runners like Joan Samuelson and this year, Sara Hall.

3. I trained with a group for the race.

This is my 2nd year training with this group of women. It’s the culmination of 10 weeks of hard work.

4. I run into so many people that I know.

My boss and another law professor

I am always surprised at how many women I know there. It’s a reunion of sorts.

5. It has become a tradition.

There are other races on the same day but I feel like I have to do it and I want to.

even when I shouldn’t have (1st run after ankle surgery)

Happy Running! Do you have a race that you run EVERY year?

May 13, 2016 by Darlene

Albany Law Day 5K Against Domestic Violence Race Recap & FF

I had seen this race on the schedule each year and have been tempted. It makes sense since I do work at Albany Law School.

But it is an evening race. It’s hard to get there after work and it’s not an ideal time to race for me. And how does one fuel for a race that starts at 6:30 pm?

Anyway, a FB running friend proposed a team and I got sucked in last year.

It was hot and humid and I didn’t really enjoy the race. I didn’t run well and though I came in 2nd in my age group, they only gave awards for first. I had decided that I probably wouldn’t run this race again.

Fast forward to this year. The place I work has been focusing all year on healthy challenges. They proposed that we do a 5k together. I suggested this one because is was during the week and raised money for an important cause. Everyone was enthusiastic about the race until it came time to sign up.

You got it – they all had excuses except me, 2 other staff members, 2 students and a husband & child. So out of 400 or so, we have a team of 7!!!

The weather cooperated in that it was sunny and no wind but it seemed like summer had arrived and we skipped spring. It was around 80 degrees. (I was wearing my winter jacket just on Sunday!!)

The race took place in the Crossings, a beautiful park.

This is where I go for my Freihofer training group runs. I have done a few races here as well.

I like it. There are hills and roads and trails.

There’s a pond.

I got there early so I could find parking. This year, I even knew where to park and where the race started.

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I wore a similar outfit to last year (Purple is the color that represents the fight against Domestic Violence. I’ll be wearing it again at Saturday’s race.)

I immediately bumped into a bunch of volunteers and clients from STEM (the survivors of Domestic Violence). I also saw some lawyers, co-workers and running friends.

If my race sucked last year, this year, it felt even worse.

It was hot. I immediately got a stitch in my side (maybe from eating a fig bar right before the race) and it stuck with me the WHOLE race.

Of course, I started out fast and then I could barely breathe – it was like I had asthma. Then I was coughing and sneezing. I attribute it to the pollen and grass (I used to have terrible hay fever when I was younger.) It was really tough to run when you are gasping for air. The only time this has happened was during this same race last year.

I made it about 1 1/2 miles before I started to walk.

I was also REALLY thirsty and the only water stop was at the 2 mile point. I walked then and several more times before the end of the race. I’ve never walked that much in a 5k but I just couldn’t catch my breath.

The result – 29:31 finish time – even slower than last year.

ald5k2

Well, that’s how it goes sometimes.

Splits:

mile 1- 9:02
mile 2- 9:46
mile 3 – 9:36
.2 – ?? (didn’t stop my watch)

I hung around watching the other STEM runners finish and the coordinator’s 7 year old daughter who ran her first 5k.

Then I had some refreshments which were awesome – bananas, brownies, pizza and Cider Belly donuts!!

They only gave out awards for 1st in 10-year age groups.

I came in third

I’ll have to remember next year that I should skip this race.

My Friday Five topic is Five Reasons I Ran this Race:

The Charity

Domestic Abuse is a horrible thing. It affects so many women. If you met them, you would never know what they’ve been through.

2. The Distance

It’s a 5k race so it would only take 30 minutes. Even if I am tired, I can muster my way through 3.1 miles. It shouldn’t affect my 5k /long run on Saturday. In fact, I would be running at least 3 miles today anyway.

3. The Challenge

Yes, it’s only a 5k but that means that you feel like you should run fast. That’s the challenge. The course is fairly flat. Could I PR??? (Obviously not.)

4. The Runners

It’s always fun to know people when you arrive at a race. You stand and around and chat. I love runners!!

5. Motivating Others

I want to set an example at work. I think running is great and it has helped me immensely physically, socially and emotionally. I am older than most people that I work with and I want to show them that if I can run so can they.

Happy Running! How do you feel about night races? Do you do them? Has it gotten warm where you live?

April 29, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Running in the Spring

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My Friday Five topic is Five Reasons to Love Spring Running.

It’s no secret. Spring is my favorite season to run.

1. More Hours of Daylight

I have a hard time getting out of bed early enough to run before work. Now, it is still light enough to run after work. I love it!!

winter

spring

2. Less Baggage

I usually run after work so I have to carry all my running gear to work. Now my bag is so much lighter. No gloves, no jackets, no vests, no tights, no extra layers, etc.

winter

spring

3. Prettier Scenery

Flowers, leaves on the trees. Need I say more?

winter

spring

4. Nicer Clothes

Skirts, tank tops. No jackets over my nice shirts.

winter

spring

5. More Racing Ops

In the spring, there are several races to choose from EVERY weekend.

winter virtual race

spring racing

Happy Running! What is your favorite season to run?

April 22, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Earth Day

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My Friday Five topic is Five Ways to Celebrate Earth Day (as a Runner).

1. Avoid Using Bottled Water.

Carry a re-fillable water bottle or re-fill a plastic used one.

At work, I have a bottle like pictured above and I just keep it filled with water. I get lots of bottled water at races. I save the bottles and just re-fill them.

2. Don’t use K-Cups or Tea Bags

Make your coffee the old fashioned way. Buy teas leafs instead of tea bags.

I know those K-Cups are so fast and easy but I haven’t broken down and bought a Keurig. If I make coffee, I use my espresso machine. I also prefer making herbal teas using leaves. They taste so much better and you can use as much as you need.

3. Walk or Run rather than Drive

If you can walk, do it! Better yet, run to your location.

I wish I lived near stores so I could run & shop. But I do try to not drive when it is feasible. I always park at work and then walk to races located in downtown Albany instead of adding more pollution to the crowded area. Yesterday, I went out to eat with 2 co-workers and they drove but I walked to and from the restaurant (it was only a mile.)

4. Bring your own Bags when you shop.

If you race, you are lucky, many give out re-usable bags as swag. Plus, you can buy them at most stores for $1.

I am the official bag lady. My trunk is full of them.

5. Use less water at home.

That means, don’t wash your hair everyday. Even if you have oily hair, there’s dry shampoo. You may not need to shower every day either. I know I’m going out on a limb here (but I am not a sweater.)

I have thick dry unruly hair. I only wash it once a week. I shower on most days. But not all, especially if I didn’t run or work out.

Happy Running! How are you celebrating Earth Day?

April 15, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite 5Ks

My Friday Five topic is My Five Favorite 5Ks.

Lately, I’ve been thinking speed (even though I am always in the middle of training for a half marathon). So here are the 5Ks that I love and try to run each year. (Believe me, it is tough for me to pick just 5).

1. Bacon Hill Bonanza

Small race in the country to support a local church held in April. Scenic course, great post race refreshments and pies as age group prizes. What more could you ask for?

2. Freihofer Run for Women

A big race held in the city of Albany at the end of May/beginning of June. All women, attracts the elites, the newbies and everyone in between. Course goes through and city and the park. There is a fitness expo held the day. Your race swag includes a box of cookies and a loaf of bread.

frw6

AB-3069-XL

3. Dash to the Finish

An even bigger race held in a bigger city – New York City. It takes place the day before the NYC Marathon and you run from the UN, through Manhattan and end by crossing the marathon finish line. The day before, you get to go to the marathon expo, too.

4. Last Run

This race in held in Albany again like the Freihofer’s but in the middle of December. The race starts off with fireworks and then you run through the lights in the park. And everyone is in such a very festive mood.

Tie: 5. Sean’s Run, Spring Run-Off and Silks and Satins

seansrun13

Unfortunately, this one often conflicts with another race but I love this community run. There is so much crowd support and great post-race eats.

best cone ever!

This 5k is held along the Hudson River. It’s a place where I run often and there’s a free pasta dinner the night before (yes, food is a recurring theme.)

pasta dinner before the race above

Saratoga is the place to be in the summer – for the horse races! This race starts and finishes near the flat track and you run around the neighborhoods of Saratoga.

I could go on and on about 5ks that I love but I’ll stop here.

Happy Running! Which is your favorite 5k? And why?

April 8, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Splitting Up Your Long Runs

If you run 5 miles, stop and then 6 miles for your 11 mile long run, yes it counts as a 11 mile run. At least it does in my book because that’s what I often do.

5 mile race + 6 = 11 miles

So My Friday Five topic is Five Reasons to Split Up Your Long Runs

1. Weather or Scheduling Issues

Sometimes, it is raining or snowing so you start your run on the treadmill. You don’t want to run 12 miles on the treadmill (At least I don’t) so when the weather improves, you continue your run outside.

So you don’t have time to run all 12 miles. You may run 6 miles before work and then 6 miles after work. (I don’t do it often but I have done it.)

2. Vary the Scenery

I’ve run a 5 mile race in the neighborhood or a city

12961710_1150686451609249_4134798520562822503_n

and then continued my run on the rail trail or bike path.

What a nice way to break it up.

You can also start on a hilly course (like I will do tomorrow) and finish on a flat course.

Your legs will be happy that you did.

3. Practice Different Paces

If you start your run with a race and even if you say that it is just part of a long run, you will still run fast.

2nd

So when you continue your run, your pace will no doubt be slower. For me, these races are my speed drills.

post race miles

4. Run with a Partner

It’s no secret that I enjoy running with someone else. It’s not easy when you run at different paces or if you live in different locations or if I have signed up for a race.

So if I split up the run, I can run at least part of it with a friend.