December 25, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Christmas Gifts

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!

This week, the theme is FREE so I am choosing – My FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

I got this card in the mail 5 years ago from a blogger and I am re-posting:

This about sums it up for me. What about you?

2. I got these SkirtSports pants and capris (and I’ve already worn them)

both are from SkirtSports

3. I got a hanger for my race medals (and as with most of my gifts, I ordered them myself so of course, I love them.)

It looked like this on the website. I’ll post a pic when I actually put mine up.

4. Movie Tickets. I love going to the movies especially when I am on break.

this one is on my “to see” list – already saw Suffragette, Star Wars & Brooklyn

5. Time off from work.

This is the best gift – 11 days off – Woo Hoo! – Running at any time of day!!!!

70 degrees on my first day off – the warm temps won’t last

Last year, we ran together during my break. I work and Judy does not so it makes it hard to schedule runs together

Happy Running! What was your favorite gift this year?

December 11, 2015 by Darlene

Five Five: Holiday Wish List

This week’s theme is Holiday Wish List

Here are the top FIVE on my list:

a GPS Watch

I have a Garmin 205 which I love but it is 5 years old. (Someone at my last race commented: “I’ve never seen one that big!!”)

2. a Medal Rack

I have a DIY one. I hang my bibs, awards and medals. I have so many age group awards that I have most of them in a basket. I’d like to hang my half marathon medals separately. (Update: my DIY hanger broke 😦 )

3. Running Shoes

Mizuno Wave Rider 19s – aren’t they pretty?

You can never have too many pairs. I am hard on my shoes and my Hokas are almost worn out. I do have quite a few pairs of Mizunos but not in this pretty color.

4. Winter Gloves

I buy ones at the dollar store in case I lose them. These would be warmer and they also have touch-screen finger pads.

5. a Destination Race

Big Sur next November?

Yes, I do destination races with frequent flyer miles and staying with friends.

But a scenic race in California and staying in a nice hotel…. Woot Woot!

Happy Running! What tops your holiday wish list?

December 4, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Dream Vacations

This week, the theme is Five Dream Vacations:

Of course, all these vacations should include a race!!

1 Paris

This is my favorite city in the world and I haven’t been there in many years. I love everything about the French culture.

2. Alaska

I’d love to take a cruise there. I’ve heard wonderful things about Alaska.

3. Hawaii

Another place that seems so beautiful that I want to experience it in person.

4. African Safari

I love animals!!! Lions, Tigers, Giraffes….oh my!

5. Iceland or Vietnam

I’d love to visit either or both.

Iceland

Vietnam

I’m not sure I’ll get to any of these places but a girl can DREAM!

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

Happy Running! What is your dream vacation?

November 27, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Gratitude

This week’s theme is GRATITUDE

This year (as in other years) I am thankful for…

MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY (my hubby & my kitties)

My hubby allows me the freedom to be me. That means patiently waiting for me to run or race before we go boating during the summer months and scheduling our activities around my running. I am grateful that he is there to support me.

My 4 cats give me unconditional love with their lap cuddles and purrs.

Jerry, the oldest (18 years old in March/April)

Honey & Billy, the youngest (10 years old)

Slater (about 12 or 13 years old)

2. MY HEALTH

Of course that means being healthy enough to do the activities I enjoy — RUNNING, tennis, walking/hiking, occasional yoga class. I don’t take it for granted. I have been NOT able to do it too many times. I am so grateful to be healthy all of 2015!!

3. MY FRIENDS

I am still in contact with a few friends from high school and college. It is great to connect with them and reminisce (about the good old days.) I have also made a bunch of GREAT friends as an older adult from the activities that I do…tennis friends, boating friends, quilting friends, mah jongg friends, running friends, etc. And I also have several from work (all 3 of my careers.) All of these people are precious to me and I am grateful to have them in my life.

4. SOCIAL NETWORKING – (Facebook, Instagram, Blogs, etc.)

The people I connect with are my virtual friends. I have met new people and can connect with ones that live too far away to see. I have learned a lot from Facebook and from my fellow Bloggers. Sometimes I have been lucky enough to meet them in the flesh. So I guess I am grateful for the Internet and those smart folks who have invented software that can connect people.

post race

5. RUNNING

Running has changed me. I discovered it late in life (at age 55). It has made me more confident, independent and I feel healthier and younger than ever. I am most grateful to this sport and what it has given me.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

Happy Running! What are you most thankful for?

November 20, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Cool Weather Drinks

This week’s theme is Favorite Cool Weather Drinks

Starbucks Lattes

I prefer decaf and the holiday ones like Chestnut Praline, Eggnog, Peppermint Mocha. I know they cost a lot but I’m worth it (besides the more I buy, the more stars I get…)

Of course, they also have a lot of calories but I can ask for no whip, sugar-free syrup, soy or coconut milk, etc.

Do calories count if you run more than 10 miles??

2. Hot Cocoas

I don’t drink them a lot but they do taste good after a cold weather race. I like to add coffee to make them more mocha tasting.

3. Herbal Teas

I have recently become a big tea drinker. I love chai and flavored herbal teas….especially in the evening in front of the fire.

I do make it sometimes with tea bags but I prefer tea made from leaves.

4. Mulled Cider

This drink makes it seem like the holidays. So yummy!

5. Eggnog

I just love eggnog! I could drink it by the quart. But I try to drink it sparingly. There are low cal ones but they’re just not the same.

any recommendations?

Happy Running! What’s your favorite cold weather drink?

November 13, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Ways to stay healthy during the holidays

This week’s theme is WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

1. Bring healthy snacks to work. If you are hungry, you will be tempted to eat something unhealthy. This is what I always have in my lunch bag everyday.

2. Walk whenever you can. That means taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Eat a quick lunch and go for a walk. Take a walk after dinner.

3. Sign up for a race. If you do, you will be motivated to get out and run. Running burns calories, right?

4. Do some kind of cross-training activity that you enjoy– work out, do yoga, pilates, zumba, play tennis or whatever you can to stay active.

5.Get on the scale. I rarely get on the scale but I try to weigh myself more frequently during the holidays. Nothing like several lbs gained to make me lose my appetite.

Will I cheat? Of course but I try to make them worthwhile cheats on special occasions. (I have a weakness for desserts…)

holidayparty2013 003

christmas cookie exchange at work

Happy Running! How do you stay healthy during the holidays?

November 6, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Race Signs

This week’s theme is FAVORITE RACE SIGNS

Just check these out from the NYC Marathon:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-20-best-signs-from-the-2015-nyc-marathon

Here are 5 that I like:

Happy Running! What is your favorite race sign?

October 30, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fave Fall Pics

This week’s theme is FREE FRIDAY

So I’ll post FIVE of my favorite Fall photos since soon the leaves will be gone:

Washington park

Mohawk Towpath Byway (where the duathlon started)

Black Mountain Point on Lake George

Hudson Valley Rail Trail

Delmar-Albany Rail Trail

Happy Running! How are the fall colors where you live?

October 16, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Fall Foods

This week’s theme is Favorite Fall Foods

1. Pumpkin anything

Here are some of my recent purchases:

And I’ve lost count of how many of these, I’ve drunk:

I’ve even cooked with pumpkin:

pumpkin chili

Recipe

2. Apple Pie – especially when it is homemade with local apples (warm with vanilla ice cream is the best)

Recipe

2. Sweet Potatoes

Recipe

4. Butternut Squash Soup

Recipe

5. Cider Donuts – warmed

Happy Running! What are your favorite Fall foods?

September 18, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite songs to pump up a workout

This week, the theme is 5 Favorite songs to pump up a workout:

Here are my top 5 motivating songs to run to since I don’t work out:

1. Fight Song (Rachel Blatten)

I recently downloaded this one onto my phone. I love these lines:

Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care
If nobody else believes
Cause I’ve still got
A lot of fight left in me

Perfect for those tough miles.

2. Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)