July 4, 2014 by Darlene

Five Friday: The 4th of July

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 About July 4th:

1. Time Off – you never have to work on July 4th. Yay!

hope to be doing a lot of this (with a drink & a book in each hand)

2. Red, White and Blue. Lots of flags and patriotic clothing.

3. Picnics & BBQs. A time to pig out with friends.

4. Boating & Swimming. Rain or shine we go out on our boat.

5. Fireworks. Love them! We get to watch them at our marina.

Yes, there are races that I would LOVE to run but you can’t do everything.

this crowded race is in Saratoga…someday…maybe?

Happy Running! How do you spend July 4th!

June 27, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 things about me

This week, the theme is Five Things About Me:

1. I never had a pet growing up. But now I have 4 cats. (I used to have 5.)

Jerry – my favorite

2. My favorite foods are pizza and ice cream. I have no self-control when it comes to these foods. (In other words, I stop eating them when there is no more left.)

Soft Serve Ice Cream (esp. coffee) with sprinkles

3. I was a French major in college, spent my junior year in the south of France and used to be a French teacher for many years. I still love everything French. I have seen Les Miz at least 12 times. (My dream to run a race in France.)

especially desserts (and art, movies, etc.)

4. My birthday is the same day as Billy Joel’s. I have seen him in concert many times. We are also both from Long Island. (He actually was part of a band that sand at my friend’s sweet 16 party.)

billyjoel

5. My clothes (almost) always match. Neurotic. I used to say about tennis: “If I don’t play good, at least I’ll look good.” Beauty before fitness?

too much purple?

Happy Running! Tell me 5 things about you!

June 20, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Ways to Beat the Heat

This week, the theme is Five Ways to Beat the Heat.

1: Run early in the Morning

That’s a no brainer but not as easy as you think. If you work, like I do, you have to get up very early. On the plus side, you can see the sun rise.

If I lived in Florida and had this view, I would get up and run everyday. And I did when I was on vacation in Florida

my neighborhood – not so motivating

2: Run where there is shade.

Again, it is pretty obvious. I afford the track in the summer. It is too hot. Trails are my favorite. Also, parts of the bike paths are shaded.

hot..hot..hot when it is sunny

Delmar Rail Trail

Colonie Bike Path

Elm Ave Fitness Trail

Nisky bike path

3. Run near water.

Boy, do I wish I lived near the ocean. But I am lucky that I go to the lake on the weekends and can jump in when I am done running.

during my visit to Florida

Lake George

when I am done running…

4. Run indoors on a treadmill.

If you belong to a gym where it is air-conditioned, this is a good idea when it is too hot outside.

Me personally, I do not. Nor do I enjoy running on the treadmill.

watching my favorite TV shows on my iPad makes it slightly bearable

5. Wear appropriate clothing.

That means shirts (or tanks) made of breathable fabric – no cotton. I like skirts. I find them cooler than shorts. Wear a cap to keep the sun out of your face. Wear sunglasses. If possible, carry water (or plant is along your route.)

How do you stay cool in the summer?

Happy Running!

June 13, 2014 by Darlene

A Random Friday Five

This week I’m linking up with Cyn, Courtney and Mar’s Friday Five for the first time.

This one is a freebie. It’s a pick your own topic Friday.

So here we go:

1. SUMMER

I was a French teacher for 22 years. I loved my job but decided to switch to a new discipline: technology. Don’t get me wrong, I love all things techie, but it would have been so nice to be a runner when I was a teacher.

have the summer off and be able to run whenever and wherever = heaven

2. RUNNING PLAN

I am planless and it’s killing me. I always plan everything especially running. I don’t know when and what my next half marathon is. As a result, I don’t have my long runs planned.

HM #7 plan

HM #8 plan

3. DIET

Speaking of half marathons, I am still eating like I am training for one. First, my training was the excuse. Then it was my birthday celebrations followed by my trip to Florida. Now it’s summer and I love ice cream. I am lucky with the help of genetics, I am still thin but my clothes are TIGHT and I think there’s at least an extra 5 pounds there somewhere (actually I know where – my stomach, butt & hips)

my weakness

I was thinner when I started running. I had to give away those shorts in the photo below. Now I wear looser, longer running skirts. I am a faster and stronger runner (You can’t have everything…)

2009

2014

4. WEEKENDS

I work full-time and my weekends are precious. So far we have been lucky. The last few weekends, we have had gorgeous weather. It has rained everyday this week. I still managed to squeeze in 3 runs between the raindrops. But this weekend, the forecast is for sunny and dry. YAY!

In between, doing household chores, I plan to be running and boating.