Friday Five

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FFF: Five Reasons to be Thankful for Running

It’s almost Thanksgiving so the Topic for today is: 5+ Reasons to be Thankful for Running!

Sorry if you read Tuesday’s post. This is a repeat (with different pix)!!

1.Health and Fitness.

I always credit running as the reason that I don’t gain (much) weight and I rarely get sick. But this year (with COVID-19 cases back on the rise), it became even more important.

Running got me outdoors several times each week.

Training for 5 half marathons and one full marathon has also forced me outdoors for several hours each Saturday.

2.Friendships.

In addition to running each weekend, we brunch together after each run and we scheduled weekly evening hikes in the summer.

By seeing each other frequently, we are definitely more bonded and I feel that I know each runner better.

3.Race-cations.

I do run a lot of races but my favorite one each year is the one during our race-cation.

We pick a race, then rent a house (for 8-10 of us) for 4 days and plan fun activities.

like jumping on the beach…

4.Age Group Awards.

As you age, you do get slower. (At least I do). The great thing about running is that your success is not compared to others who are younger and faster.

As a result, sometimes, you just have to show up.

5.Coping with Tough Times.

Unfortunately I have two close friends currently experiencing serious health issues and a former co-worker who just died suddenly.

And my job has been very stressful on occasion.

Running has been there when I needed it.

+. My Virtual Friends

All of you who read my blog even if I have never gotten to meet you, I am thankful for your support.

Hopefully, our paths will cross in the future.

Happy Running! How are you  thankful for running? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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FFF: Five Thanksgiving Menu Favorites

So when you are finishing running that Turkey Trot, what do you love to eat?

Todays Topic is: Five Thanksgiving Menu Favorites

1.Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

2. Stuffing

Easy Stuffing Recipe

3. Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce 

Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

4. Warm Homemade Apple Pie (with vanilla ice cream)

Amazing Apple Pie - Picnic Life Foodie

5.  Holiday-themed drink

Best 46 Thanksgiving Cocktails - Thanksgiving Drink Ideas

Of course, there will be turkey, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. LOL

Happy Running! What are your Thanksgiving meal favorites? Please share.

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It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Ultimate Coffee Date for November 2024

It’s that time of the month…

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

This weekend I will run my third NYC marathon.  So I’m got a “New York state of mind.”

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that although I ran the NYC Marathon in 2019 AND 2023, I am still a little stressed about the logistics.

In 2019, I started at 10:30 am and chose the 7:00 am bus (and still had a long wait in the cold.)

Last year I had to choose the 6:15 am mid-town bus and I did not start until after 10:55 am. Luckily it wasn’t as cold.

This year, I decided to stay in the Financial District so I could walk to the Staten Island Ferry.  I chose the 8:00 am ferry. Then you have to take a bus to the start village.  My start this year is still 10:55 am.

We’ll see if this was a smarter choice.

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that last year I was in the Orange Wave which started at the top of the bridge.

  • Pink has the least climb and it has four 90 degree turns.
  • Blue has about 30 feet / 9 meters more climb than Pink. It has two 90 degree turns.
  • Orange has about 50 feet / 15 meters more climb than Pink. It has four 90 degree turns.

Blue, Orange, Pink start

In 2019, I started in the Green wave (which is now Pink) so I was on the bottom.

Truthfully, I don’t remember much after the big cannon went off and the playing “New York, New York” with Frank Sinatra… I was so excited, I just ran over that big bridge…

So now, I’ve started both ways and I’ll tell you that I don’t remember a difference between starting at the top or the bottom of the bridge. It’s exciting either way.

So this year it’s pink. Bottom. A full circle.

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that in 2019, I was in a similar wave as last year and this year (due to a fast NYRR 10k time). IOW all the runners around me were much faster.

My projected finish time was 4:30 and I finished in 5:29. I was totally happy with that!

I had a similar projected finish time last year and I finished in 6:00 (while walking with a calf cramp for 16 miles). I was thrilled with that time. I thought it would be much slower.

This year? I couldn’t care less about my finish time.  I have no clue how it will go.

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that last year I followed Hal Higdon Novice plan very closely. And much more closely than 2019 (when I had to travel more for work).

It didn’t seem to matter… I trained better and it went a lot worse.

So this year, I didn’t stress about my training. I minimally ran during the week and completed as many long runs as I could…

I just want to finish and hopefully I will…

and without pain would be ideal.

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I couldn’t have trained for this race without the support of my running friends.

That includes my “virtual” friends too.

2023 TCS New York City Marathon App

Feel free to track me. My Bib # = 53817 (but remember I don’t start until 10:55ish)

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and the Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Runfessions for October 2024

First Runfessions of Fall

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

1.I runfess…

This year has to be a record of the number of races, I’ve signed up for and have not raced. I either walked or ran/walked slowly…

Better than a DNS, right?

I may have lost my competitive edge.

2. I runfess…

I can’t wait for marathon training to be over so I can actually focus on racing and on shorter distances.

I hated skipping races because I had a long run on my schedule.

Next year – Run for the Roses 5k, Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k, Stockade-athon 15k

3. I runfess…

My 18 miler wasn’t as bad as I thought because I stopped several times during the “run.”

  • After mile 1.5 to meet friends
  • After mile 9.5
  • After mile 11 waiting for the 5k to start
  • After mile 14 hanging after the race.

How did my 20 miler go?  It was much harder but again, it helped to have along for some of the miles.

4. I runfess…

I’ve never just run.  I’ve always started out fast, add walks when I feel like it and walk more frequently as I go… I don’t wear my Garmin.

When I run with friends, I allow them to set intervals on their Garmin.

I finally realized that intervals do work and I’ve used the Runkeeper app on my iPhone and set intervals (90:45)

5. I runfess…

I’m still searching for the perfect shoe…

Yes, I still wear Topos but then newer models of Specters and Phantoms don’t feel as comfortable as the older ones (and I’ve gotten blisters.)

Altra Fwd Via in purple

They are pretty… but NOT COMFORTABLE!!!

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

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FFF: Goals for My 3rd NYC Marathon

Since my big race is in TWO weeks, this topic came to mind:

******FIVE GOALS******

1.CROSS THE FINISH LINE.

I loosely completed the Hal Higdon Novice 18 week plan (for the first 8 weeks) and the Senior Hal Higdon Novice Plan (very loosely) for the last 8 weeks.

All the long runs (13+miles) were hard.

So I don’t take this distance for granted.

2.NOT CRASH AND BURN THE 2ND HALF.

I pretty do that on all my races.

I did that in 2019.

It’s not easy when you are in a corral with faster runners.

In 2023, my cramped right calf had me walking the 16 miles. (Still don’t know why that happened.)

not happy!!

3.ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

Soak up the amazing crowds, scenery, music.

4.APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF MY FRIENDS.

In 2019, my tennis friends drove down to cheer me on at mile 18.

Last year, some of my running friends were there to cheer me on during the race.

This year, some of my friends helped me get those long training runs done.

Even if they are not on the course, I know my friends will be tracking me and offering the needed virtual support.

5.FEEL GREAT AFTER.

26.2 miles on these old legs…

I hope to feel good enough to run another day….

I have a Thanksgiving 10k and another 10k in early December on my schedule.

in 2019, a week after the marathon, a 15k!

Thanksgiving 10k in 2023

TIME GOAL:

A: under 5:29 (PR)
B: under 6:00 (faster than 2023)
C: just finish the damn thing

Happy Running! Do your goals change for a race that you repeat? Please share.

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FFF: 5 Fitness Goals to Accomplish Before the End of the Year

Today’s Topic is: Five Fitness Goals to Accomplish Before the End of  2024

Ok, 3 months left to do this:

1.Run Pain-Free

I started out the year with a sprained ankle. Then on Labor Day, I had an accident which resulted in a head injury and bruised ribs.

I’ve thrown my 1000 mile yearly goal out the window.

2022 … maybe in 2025?

Now the total number of miles doesn’t matter, I just want to enjoy my runs and races without feeling any aches and pains.

2. Continue my YMCA workouts.

I started going to the gym in March of last year (for free) and then officially joined that July.

Being honest, I don’t enjoy working out but everyone seems to think it is important.

When I was in town, I did go THREE times a week.

Then I got hurt and I stopped going.

It’s time to return to my workout schedule (once my rib pain disappears).

3.Do some scenic local hikes.

Not having Mondays off had me slacking off and I really do enjoy hiking.

I hope to get a few in before it snows.

twinning with my hiking buds

4. Finish one more Half Marathon

My unofficial goal was 75 before 75.

I will turn 75 in 2028. (Yup, I’m on track.)

I’ve already completed 69 and my 70th is coming up tomorrow!!

2022 — Mayflower Wind Cape Cod Marathon — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising

Oct 12, 2024

Each half marathon I complete seems to get harder.

Due to my recent accident, this one may be the hardest… at least it’s part of a fun weekend with friends.

the 2023 gang

5.Complete the NYC Marathon for the 3rd time.

Until September, I had high hopes for this race.

I wanted redemption from last year.

Now I just want to reach the finish line!!

And get that damn medal!!

Happy Running! What are your fitness goals for the rest of the year? 

runner-sig

 

 

 

 

 

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Ultimate Coffee Date for October 2024

It’s that time of the month…

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

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that friends help make those miserable long runs better…

Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that when running friends cannot run, we still keep each other company by eating together.

Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that when we first starting planning race-cations, everyone in the group ran a half marathon,

2017

Each year, fewer complete the distance.

2023 (+2 who ran 18 miles)

This year, only 5 out of 10 have signed up for the half (and 2 are even injured.)

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I may have become pumpkin-obsessed this year.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that most of the treats above were for my mah jongg ladies and what they didn’t eat, my hubby consumed?  Can you guess which I ate?

Happy Running! What’s new with you?   Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

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Runfessions for September 2024

First Runfessions of Fall

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

1.I runfess…

Even when I don’t sign up for races, I check the results to see if I would have won an age group award.

I was supposed to run a 14 mile LSD the weekend of Sept 7 & 8. There were three 5k races and I would have won my age group in all three.

That’s what you younger runners have to look forward to if you continue running.

2. I runfess…

When you are injured and your legs feel fine, it’s hard not to run.

I mostly walked (3 mi, 4 mi, 5 mi) and threw in some strides to make sure I still could run.

3. I runfess…

I’ve never been injured during marathon training.  As a result, I had no idea how to change my plan.

I had to skip my 14 miler but had no idea how many miles to run next?

Plan A:12, 14, 12, 16, 12, 18, 12, 20, 12, 26.2

So I ran/walked 10 miles and then 13 miles the next weekend…

Tossing the plan out the window…

Plan B: 13, 0, 10, 13, (16, 18, HM, 20, 10), 26.2

However, may need Plan C if I can’t complete the 16, 18, 20 milers…

4. I runfess…

I realized that I’ve run at least ONE race each month but none in September.

my hubby grew up on the same street with the Dott family…

So I signed up to walk the 3.3 miles… it was free!

When I arrived, I bumped into a good friend and she wanted to run the race…

We ran the WHOLE race together…slowly!! She thought I was pacing her and I thought she was pacing me.

I enjoyed so much that I didn’t mind not winning an apple pie.

5. I runfess…

I love my Topos and I decided that the Specter 2 is my new favorite.

Then guess what?

r/RunningShoeGeeks - Topo Specter 2 NYC Marathon Edition

I had to buy the NYC Marathon Specter 2, right?

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

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FFF: 5 Tips for a New Runner

New Runners! What beginner questions do you have about running? - Strength Running

1.Find a friend or a group.

It is so much easier if you don’t run alone.

2.Wear the right shoes.

Go to a running store and try different pairs.

3.Do not worry if you have to walk.

You are still a runner!!

4. Do not set elaborate goals.

You will get discouraged if you set a time or distance goal right away.

5. Sign up for a race.

It will keep you motivated. You will meet other runners. The enthusiasm is contagious at a race.

Happy Running! Do you have any others? Did you get good tips when you started running? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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FFF: Things that a runner should never do

1.Eat spicy food the night before a race.

I don’t recommend trying this…

pizza or pasta is my go to…

2. Wear something new on race day.

You shouldn’t but I have.

new shoes…

3. Go out too fast in a race.

Who hasn’t?

4.Wear the race shirt on race day.

I have never but I do see many runners who do this.

blue shirts!

5. Over training.

This could result in tired legs on race day.

Santa Clarita HM!!

6. Ignoring an injury.

Running when you should be resting or seeing a medical professional.

smiling with a stress fracture?

Happy Running! Do you have anything to add? Have you violated any of these rules? Please share.