Friday Five: July 4th

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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: July 4th/Independence

If the weather cooperates, my holiday includes these 5 things each year:

1. Boating on the Lake
20140707-135858-50338555.jpg

2. Barbecues with Friends

logbay3

eating at our site

3. Getting Patriotic

me & my hubby on the 4th

20140526-195333-71613746.jpg

4. Fireworks

fireworks

Bolton Landing fireworks

5. Squeezing in a morning run

IMG_3601

 

Happy Running! How do you celebrate July 4th?

runner-sig

Friday Five: What I was doing 10 Years Ago

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 What I was doing 10 Years Ago.

So the year was 2005.

No running.

No boating.

No knitting.

No mah jongg.

What was I doing in 2005?

1. I played a lot of tennis.

I played in contracts, took lessons, played on several teams, etc.

Susan, Catalina & me after our match

2. I worked as a Technology Director for 40 Catholic Schools.

This was my favorite job…so rewarding…so varied…wish I could have afforded to stay there forever.

3. I got to travel and go to conferences around the country.

If only I ran back then…

in San Diego

4. I was into quilting.

I belonged to quilt guild and went to monthly meetings. I went on weekend retreats.

5. My annual trip with the tennis ladies was to Las Vegas.

We didn’t gamble but we liked to go to shows and restaurants and hike on the weekend.

Happy Running! What were you doing 10 years ago?

runner-sig

Friday Five: What Makes Me Happy

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Five Things That Make Me Happy

1. Being on my boat with my hubby on Lake George

It is so beautiful, peaceful, relaxing.  It’s my weekend place to be.

20140707-131358-47638480.jpg

lg

11390132_10153891900069428_4905516916876408313_n

2. Hanging out with my friends

Whether it is playing tennis, knitting, going to a movie or the most likely, eating out. I them love!!

IMG_3514

10405437_10153756637729428_6501356606667614072_n

IMG_5842

3. Running in scenic places

I love running along the water or on a trail.

IMG_3333

Lake George

Peebles State Park

Corning Bike Path

IMG_5812

Washington Park

4. Racing

There are more races now that any time of year.  So there are so many choices. You can choose by location, bling, course, etc.

image

FRW

5. Playing tennis outdoors.

It’s free.  It’s close to home.  Love being outdoors in the fresh air.

IMG_3452

20140803-112645-41205200.jpg

Happy Running! What makes you happy?

runner-sig

Friday Five: Favorite Summer Activities

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Favorite Summer Activities.

Here are my 5:

1. Racing on the Weekends

AB-3066-XL

20140727-112038-40838829.jpg

I know I could just run for free but I only get that “Runner’s High” from races.  I am lucky to have many choices. I can choose by location, course, distance, bling, etc.  I pretty much race every weekend.

2. Playing Tennis Outdoors

IMG_1254

group photo

This I can do for free.  I usually play every Tuesday.  If I didn’t go boating, I could also play on Saturdays and Sundays.  I’ve given up playing in USTA and WTT league matches so that I can run more.

3. Boating on Lake George

20140707-135858-50338555.jpg

new location for the book & orange chair - West Dollar #3

This is one thing that the hubby & I do together.  We both love it on the lake…whether it be docking on the islands, tying up with other boats in a bay or just hanging out at the marina.

4.Weekend getaways with friends

IMG_3514

Schroon River

going to NYC to see

NYC

We go on day trips to museums and plays.  We also go up to my friend’s who has a house on Schroon River. We love to swim, hike, play tennis, shop, eat out, play games, etc.

5.Barbecues

Nothing beats a hamburger or hot dog on a grill.  Usually I do this on the lake or at a friend’s house.

Happy Running! What are your favorite things to do in the summer?

runner-sig

Friday Five: National Running Day

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 National Running Day.

National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running.

Here are my 5 reasons to run:

r4ja

1. JA is my running buddy.  He cannot run, cannot walk, cannot go to school, cannot digest his food but he is my BIGGEST SUPPORTER.

r4ican

2.  There were times that I couldn’t – broken ankle, stress fracture, broken foot.  There may be times in the future when I cannot. So when I CAN, I RUN.  I will never take this gift for granted.

DSC00617

r42bfaster

3. I am a goal-driven person. I want to get better.  I also know if I don’t run often, then it will not happen. So I keep running and hope that my finish times reflect my efforts.

stock5

r4ic

4. It’s no secret that I love ice cream. I would eat it every day especially soft ice cream in the summer.  As I get older, my metabolism must be slowing down because I have to watch what I eat for the first time.  If I run, I hope that I can watch it less.

ice_cream_cone_from_stewarts

r42feely

5. I actually feel younger now than before I started running.  People say that “I don’t look my age.” (I love those people.) But I respond that I don’t feel my age.  I credit running for that.  (I am 62 btw.)

VCM Relay

Happy Running! How did you celebrate National Running Day?

runner-sig

Friday Five: Ways to Share Running Love

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Five Ways to Share Running Love

1. Connect Online

Blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, DailyMile.

There are so many places. And you will meet new running friends.

image

I net Barbara through FB

IMG_4963

I met AJH though blogging

2. Join a Group

FleetFeet has groups as well as USAFit and many races have training groups that you can join.

frwtraining3

I recently joined the Freihofer Run for Women’s Training Group

3. Run with a friend.

We have run together many times and we chat about running, of course.

image

4. Racing

I run a lot of races so now I see so many familiar faces. We talk about the current races. We also chat about past and future races and running experiences.

image

2 racing friends

5. Point Out the Benefits.

Most of my friends don not run.  And every time, they mention some study about how running is bad for you, I always talk about the positives.

20140621-125904-46744233.jpg

one mah jongg friend who I convinced to start running

Happy Running! How do you share your running love?

runner-sig

Friday Five: Race Day

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Race Day.

If you are a runner, who doesn’t love “race day.”

Here are 5 important things in my race day:

1. Have a good breakfast

For me, it’s oatmeal or cream of wheat with flax or raisins added in.

2. Get dressed in a cute but comfortable outfit.

IMG_4762-0

Yes, I am matchy matchy but I try to wear clothes that I’ve worn before so I know they will be comfortable.

3. Bring all the extra stuff you need

IMG_4763

Fuel for before and during.

My Garmin, my iPhone, my RoadID, my belt for attaching my bib…

IMG_4794

Change of clothes for after.

4.Get to the race early.

So you can find parking, get your race packet, use the restrooms and meet up with friends. And then relax (Is that possible?)

5.Cross that finish line and smile.

Be proud of your accomplishment even if it wasn’t a PR. You finished a race!!

20140713-140835-50915896.jpg

Happy Running! What important things go on on your race day?

runner-sig

Friday Five: Blogs to Love & Runfessions April

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Blogs to Love.

This is a tough one.  My morning routine is to open BlogLovin’ on my iPad and to read running blogs.  It is so hard to just pick FIVE but know that even if your blog is not listed here, I still enjoy catching up on your running life.

1. Shut Up and Run.

suar

Beth’s blog always makes me laugh.  She is open and honest and discusses EVERYTHING related to her running. She is also an incredible athlete who completes in Ironman competitions and runs faster than women half her age.  You should definitely subscribe to her blog if you don’t already.

2. My Journey to Fit.

I enjoy Shelly’s candid approach to running and staying fit.  She is also a knitter so I love seeing her latest projects. I can identify as an older runner with her training and desire to have more speed.

3. Taking the Long Way Home

ttlwh

As Wendy says, hers is “a running blog written by someone who doesn’t want to act her age.” I totally get that and can relate.  Her posts are fun and interesting as she always comes up with creative images to illustrate her point.  She has endless energy and is quite fast. I love her devotion to yoga.  She is quite inspiring and I hope her speed and yoga routine rub off on me!

4. We Run Disney

Pam, who is also my age, and her daughter write this blog.  Obviously they love Disney races but they also run other races.  In fact, they even ran in Ireland.  So I follow their racing with envy. Even though, Pam is over 60, she is still running marathons and has even BQed!! Check out read her Boston Marathon report.

5.HoHo Runs

hoho

HoHo or Holly is another “oldish” blogger who likes to run as many races as I do. The difference here is that hers are mostly half marathons. I love reading her race reports. Maybe she’ll motivate me to run a full.

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions.

I may have confessed these in previous months but here we go anyway:

  1. I planned to go to the gym ONCE a week. I was good the for first 2 weeks and then I fell off the wagon…again.
  2. Thanks to being chosen as a SkirtSports ambassador, I have bought more running clothes.

DSC00621  image

3. I have become a weather wimp.  In the winter, I would go out and run in sub-zero temps.

image

now when it is 40 degrees, it feels too cold and I run on the treadmill.

4.  I am still in the dumps about my crappy half marathon performance.  It doesn’t help when I keep bumping into people and they ask “How did it go?”   I’ve been saying: crappy, shitty, disappointing, painful, sucky, blisters, achy feet.  Soon, I am just going to say “Fine.”

ap hm

at least I wasn’t fixing my hair in front of the photographer.

5. I am a solo runner. I don’t mind running by myself.  I can run where and when I want and I like being alone with my thoughts and running at any speed I choose. But somehow, I can’t get motivated to walk by myself.  I used to walk everyday with my co-worker but she seems to have broken up with me.  This week, we started a walking challenge at work and I still find myself sitting at my desk all day. Maybe things will change if spring weather ever arrives.

walking last year during our morning break

Happy Running! Which blogs do you love to read? Anything to confess?

runner-sig

Friday Five: Brands to Love

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Brands to Love

Here are the 5 Brands that I Love:

1. Mizuno for shoes

IMG_4579

Running shoe brands…I’ve tried them all and at one time or another have loved them.  Currently I love Mizuno.

IMG_4757

2RunningSkirts and SkirtSports for skirts

image

my latest RunningSkirts skirt

image

another one

I only run in skirts and wear quite a few different brands… I usually buy what’s on sale. If I had a choice,  I would buy them from Runningskirts and SkirtSports. I love the length of their skirts and the 2 pockets.

image

my newest SkirtSports capris

DSC00621

and SkirtSports skirt

3. ProCompression for socks

Stockadeathon - November

My ankles love compression socks.  I also wear different brands but ProCompression has lots of colors and they are often on sale. (Yes, price does matter.) And they are tight enough to work but not impossible to put on.

Stockadeathon

4.  Champion for running clothes

Thank you Target for carrying this brand.  I have their hats, socks, jackets, shirts, skirts, tights…. You can’t beat them for the price.

love this jacket, hat, skirt and tights – all Champion

Turning Point - July

love this tank, skirt and hat

5.  GU for fuel

Fuel is as important as clothes in running a race.  GU has gotten me through all my long runs and long races.  It gives me energy. They have a variety of flavors and some without caffeine.  They don’t upset my stomach.

my favorite flavors

Happy Running! What brands do you love??

runner-sig

Friday Five: Trips

DC_linkup

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Trips

I have no big vacations planned to any exotic or faraway places but here are my 5 trips – 3 are definites and 2 are hopefuls:

1. New Jersey

Next week, I plan to visit a friend in New Jersey whom I visited last October…

IMG_4086

and run a half marathon in Asbury Park. I have never been there and can’t wait to run along the ocean.

2. Naples, Florida

Again this May, I plan to go to Naples with 11 of my closest tennis friends…

group photo with our instructor on our last day of lessons

We will be playing tennis, shopping, eating, sunning and just hanging out together. It will be our 10th year, I think.

on Palm Island

I hope do some running too.

running in Naples, Fla.

3. Vermont

At the end of next month, I plan to stay with AJH.  I have seen pictures of the part of rural Vermont where she lives.  It looks so nice.

photo by AJH

We will be running a marathon relay together in Burlington.  I have never been to Burlington and I am looking forward to it and running along Lake Champlain.

4. Florida for a half marathon 

I’ve run 3 here – Naples, Sarasota and West Palm Beach and loved them all.

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner - Yup, I am in the photo!!!

W. Palm Beach Half Marathon

Naples Half  Marathon

I haven’t decided where or when but it’s a definite maybe.

5. La Quinta, CA

I hope to be invited back to visit Mary.  I have been twice and loved it out there.

image

This past year, we hiked.  Maybe next time, we’ll run a race together.

1404409_10152532012779428_1568131196_o

Happy Running! What trips do you have planned?  Any invites to Florida?

runner-sig