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TOTR: Mental Tips and Tricks

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Mental Tips and Tricks

I don’t pretend to have all the answers but here is some advice to make yourself a “happier” runner:

  • Don’t compare yourself to another runner.

Pace is such an individual thing.  To some runners, I may appear fast and yet to others, I am a turtle. That’s one of the great things of running.  You are competing with yourself.

not fast in this field by any means but faster than many who were running their first half.

  • Find something good in every race/run.

Let’s face it, some runs/races just suck. But either you got it done or the scenery was awesome or whatever. Focus on the good and try to forget about the bad.

they cancelled the race, police threatened to arrest me, I thought I might collapse from the heat, I had to fight for a medal… but the course was great and the crowd support even better.

  • Surround yourself with other runners. They get you.

It’s great to have non-running friends but they won’t sympathize with your positive split times, sore feet, hilly course experiences, stomach issues, DNSes, etc.

  • Every race will not be a PR.

Even if you run on the same course, you may finish 20 minutes slower. Just sayin’.

  • A bad run is better than no run.

Tough one to remember when we wanted or expected it to be a good one. More often than not, it isn’t.

  • Take rest days.

We feel lazy when we don’t run. We are tempted to run everyday. But our body needs time off. We often don’t realize it until it’s too late.

  • Stay active when you can’t run.

You will feel better about your fitness if you do something else besides running to keep moving…biking, walking, yoga, swimming, tennis, crossfit, dancing, etc.

  • You don’t have to look like a runner to be a runner.

Runners some in all sizes.  All you have to do is run to be a runner.

I’m also linking with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner

Happy Running! Do you have any other Mental Tips and Tricks to share?

 

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Running Update: 5.8.17-5.14.17

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Last Week:

  • Monday – Another day in paradise.  3 mile run followed by a tennis lesson then doubles play.  Then off to the beach.  Ended the day with dinner out ❤

Lino is our cute instructor

  • Tuesday – It was my birthday but the day was not too much different than the previous day.  I did all my favorite things: running, tennis, reading & Scrabble on the beach, dinner, drinks, dessert with a sunset view.  Awesomeness!

oops – 6.4K not miles (not enough time)

at Vanderbilt Beach

dinner at the Turtle Club

  • Wednesday – Last day of vacation.  I packed, had a tennis lesson but instead of playing tennis, I went to a Wildlife Sanctuary.  We had a nice 2.5 mile walk but because of the drought, we only saw an alligator and no birds (no water in the lakes).  We had our last Florida meal out and headed for the airport.

Corkscrew Nature Sanctuary

  • Thursday – Back to reality – cooler temps and WORK! Ugh! The highlight on my day was getting to run with Alyssa and we chose to run in the park to view the tulips.  (Rain is predicted for the Tulip Fest this weekend.)

  • Friday – Rest day but did squeeze in a trip to the gym before mah jongg.

empty on a Friday after work??

  • Saturday – Rain was predicted so I wasn’t looking forward to this 5k race. But it is an important cause (memorial to a former STEM runner) so I was planning on going no matter what. And it poured!!!

27:26 – 1st in my AG

I had hoped to run 7 more miles after the race but I was too wet so I bailed on my long run. Instead I went to the movies (Boss Baby) and dinner (milkshakes and burgers at Johnny Rockets) with my mentee and her sons.

my favorite super heroes

  • Sunday – The forecast was for rain so I didn’t sign up for a race. But it never rained. So instead I celebrated Mother’s Day with a run on the unpaved rail trail followed by a big dinner at my MIL’s.

23 miles done with 5 runs and 2 rest days

This Week:

  • Monday – FRW Challenge (3-4 miles)
  • Tuesday – rest, work travel (to Buffalo)
  • Wednesday – rest, out of town work and travel home
  • Thursday – Corporate Challenge race (3.5 miles)
  • Friday – rest, hair appt, mah Jong
  • Saturday – rest
  • Sunday – Steel Rail Half Marathon

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

Happy Running! How is your running going?

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TOTR: Happy B-day to Me

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

For Today’s Topic, I’m choosing: How to Celebrate Your Birthday as a Runner

It’s an appropriate topic because today is my birthday.

And I happen to be celebrating on vacation in sunny Florida!!

So when it’s your b-day, here’s what I recommend:

  • Run a race.

Of course that depends on the time of year.  You can always run a virtual race if none is scheduled.

Mastodon Challenge 5K

I ran the Mastodon Challenger two years on my birthday.  I love the race and the photo.  Yes, I fell (what else is new) but continued on to finish with blood dripping down my legs and arms and broken watch in my hand (I felt badass especially when I came in 2nd in my AG)

  • Run your age.

You can run it in miles or kilometers.

I’m pretty old so I think this year, it will in Ks. How many Ks do you think I’ll run??

  • Do something that makes you happy.

For me, it’s the tulips in the park and spending time with my mentee and her sons. Tulip Fest weekend is always held around my birthday. Lucky me!

  • Forget the healthy eating and indulge.

You can run it off the next day! LOL.

I love to go out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants.  It has to have a water view and great desserts!!

It’s usually a restaurant on Lake George but this year, I’ll have to settle for the Gulf.

birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant in Naples, Fl- The Turtle Club (2012)


Happy Running! How do you celebrate your birthday?

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Running Update: 5.1.17-5.7.17

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Last Week:

  • Monday – Since I had run a half marathon the day before, I decided to skip our FRW Challenge Group training today. I ran an easy 3 miles and went home to pack.

No foot pain or DOMS. Amazing

  • Tuesday – It was raining off and on so instead of a run and tennis, I went to the gym. Then I packed and prepared for my 3:00 am wake up.
  • Wednesday – 6 am flight to Florida. We landed in Ft Myers and picked up a rental car to drive to Naples.  This is our 12th tennis trip here so we  have a routine and it felt like coming home – unpacking, grocery shopping, relaxing by the pool, dinner out, chatting, sleep?…
  • Thursday – My first Florida run – holy humidity! My goal is to run 3.5 miles most days before my tennis lesson and doubles play.  Then we pack a lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, soaking up vitamin D, reading, playing Scrabble or strolling along the water – heavenly!

  • Friday – Rain interfered with our morning tennis plans so we went shopping and out to lunch. I did manage get in a run before dinner  Rather than dinner out, we stayed in and had our annual book club night while celebrating cinco de mayo.

  • Saturday – No running today, just a walk, tennis, the beach and dinner out before going to a show. Another day in paradise.

  • Sunday – Today I ran a 5K race. It warm and humid but still a fun time.  Found out that those older Floridians are fast! After the race, I rushed home to get ready for our day trip to Cape Haze and Fort Myers.

27:31 and 3rd in my AG

We had lunch and then visited the Ford and Edison winter estates. We ended the day with dinner and drinks at the Ritz watching sunset.

13 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

  • Monday – 3 mile run, tennis, beach, dinner out
  • Tuesday – 4 mile run, tennis, beach, dinner out
  • Wednesday – rest, tennis, pool, fly home
  • Thursday – 6 miles with Alyssa
  • Friday – rest, gym?, mah jongg
  • Saturday – 5K race (+ 7 more miles)
  • Sunday –  rest, gym?, Mother’s Day

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

Happy Running! How is your running going?

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Ultimate Coffee Date – May

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in May, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that since I signed up for my free 6 month gym membership, I’ve used the machines at least once a week…sometimes even twice.  That’s impressive for me!

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am currently in Naples, Florida trying to figure out how to run in the heat. It is not as hot as it as it normally is when I visit each year (we are here 2 weeks early).  Only 80s rather than 90s but it is the humidity that is tough to get used to.

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am thinking of actually running a 5k race while I’m here on vacation. (No surprise.)

May 7 – 7:30 am

The problem is transportation.  The rental car is not in my name.  I would have to either drive it illegally or get someone in my house to drive me at 6:30 am….

Stay tuned…

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I wish I were more motivated to train well.  I know I can run faster and PR but…. I’m not putting the work in. But maybe having fun is more important…

my Half PR in October – my May 21 half is on the same course

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that running along Lake George a few weekends ago wet my appetite for boating!  I can’t wait to be back on the lake.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill?

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Friday Five 2.0 – Non-Race-cations

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Since I am currently is Naples, FL, I am choosing my topic as Five Ways to Enjoy a Non-Race-cation.

The majority of my vacations are race-cations.  But once a year, I go on vacation without a race included during the trip.

And yes, I do have fun anyway and here’s how:

  1. Find another sport that gets you moving.

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I usually play tennis for at least two hours every morning. Not many miles on the legs when playing doubles but I’m still moving (and sweating.)

But it could be yoga, swimming, biking, etc.

2. Get those miles in however you can.

isn't this even more inviting??

No better place to walk than along the water.

bike riding every morning around World Tennis Center

I also have access to a bike to ride around the neighborhood.

And if you are lucky, there may be places nearby to go hiking. Visiting museums or roaming interesting shops and markets give your those extra steps.

3. If possible, squeeze in a few short runs.

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It’s tough when you stay out late every night and you get up early to play tennis. So my runs are short but still rewarding.

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4. Do other things you enjoy that you don’t normally get to do.

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We go to the theater. Last year we went to a comedy club.

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We visit gardens & parks.

during our sunset cruise
We go on sunset cruises.  I hope to also get to go kayaking one year.

5. Eat healthy during the day but in the evening, do some no-guilt splurging.

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I eat my usual oatmeal in the morning, yogurt & fruit at the beach for lunch and then…. No limits!

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We go out to dinner every night. It is always a blast.

Happy Running! Do you take non-race-cations? If so, what do you do to for fun instead of racing?

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I Need a Vacation and Some Vitamin D

vitamind
This morning I left for the tennis ladies’ 12th trip together to Naples, Florida. (For some of us, this is our 20th tennis trip – 1 Palm Springs, 5 Las Vegas, 1 Dominican Republic, 1 Delray Beach.)

Naples Fla

There will 10 of us (two newbies) and we are renting 2 villas (from the same lady) in World Tennis Center.

This is my third trip to Florida in the past year. (Remember, my half marathon in Stuart in March and another last December where I had #holottafun). The purpose of this trip is to play tennis and do some female-bonding. (There are few races this time of year in Florida 😦 )

May - tennnis vacation in Florida

this year again our favorite tennis instructor Billy Bob will not be there 😦

We will have a new instructor again this year.

We will be playing tennis everyday from 8-11 am.

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and then we will be busy the rest of the day with a variety of fun/relaxing activities.

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lots of these views

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and these

I am bringing my running clothes. Will I run??? I certainly hope so!!

frw08

these were my enthusiastic friends in 2008 – will I be able to get them to run with me??? Doubt it.

I need to run since I have a half marathon when I return.

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view from one of my runs last year

and another – not too shabby but I wish we were staying closer to the Gulf.

I will post lots of pics in IG. So follow me (@dsc59)

Happy Running! I will miss you all! Stay healthy!

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Running Update: 4.24.17-4.30.17

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Last Week:

  • Monday – Our good weather continued for one more day. It was even warmer than Sunday. Tonight was week 5 of the Freihofer Challenge Group run and the plan called for 10 min. warm-up, 4-6 800m sprints at 5k pace, 400m recovery after each, cool down. The day after a 5k race plus 6 additional miles?  Could I do it?  Patrick allowed me to back off and do them at 10k pace.  I actually felt stronger after each one. My first and last were my fastest at 4:10. (He let us stop after 4 repeats. 🙂 )

4 tough miles

  • Tuesday – A nasty rainy day. My run got replaced by (indoor) tennis. It was fun since I hadn’t played in weeks and of course, we went out to dinner afterwards.
  • Wednesday – Another dreary day but the rain stopped by afternoon and it warmed right up. I managed to squeeze in a quick sweaty run before meeting my tennis friends for our monthly dinner out. (Unfortunately I had to skip my STEM volunteering.)

The first tulips I’ve seen

  • Thursday – Today Alyssa and I decided to run on the Corning Bike Path since we hadn’t been there in ages. As usual it was a good one.

  • Friday – I decided to stop at the gym then stay home and pack for my weekend in NYC. (I even skipped mah jongg 😦 )
  • Saturday – I headed to NYC with fellow runner Sue. I only knew her a little but we got along great. (Runners always seem to.) After leaving our bags at our hotel, we headed to the expo to get our race packets, had lunch and then went back to our hotel to check into our room. Yes, we walked over 11 miles the day before our race on a very warm day. We carbloaded at a nice Italian restaurant with another local runner and her daughters. Eventually we returned to the hotel to try to get some sleep before rising early the next day.

  • Sunday – Today I ran the Women’s Shape Half Marathon in Central Park, NYC. It was tough. Maybe my toughest half. Those hills are no joke but I finished and had a fun day.

poor training, sore throat, aching feet, stomach cramp – nevertheless, she persisted!!

24. 6 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

  • Monday – FRW Training Group Run (3-4 miles)
  • Tuesday – 3 miles, tennis
  • Wednesday – rest, fly to Florida
  • Thursday – Sunday – running, tennis, hanging out at the beach, dinner out and lots of fun.

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

Happy Running! How is your running going?

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Runfessions – April

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

I runfess…

I STILL can’t seem to motivate myself to run in the morning before work. It’s not that I sleep in but I am lazy. I sit around watching the Today show, eating breakfast and reading email/blogs. Then all of a sudden, it’s time to go to work.

This would have been definitely more pleasant at 6 am than 5 pm.

How do you early morning runners do it?

I runfess…

I did not do a single uninterrupted long run for this weekend’s half marathon.  I think my longest run was 6 miles.  I know that I should but racing is more fun.

5k + 6 mi = 9 mi

Anyone have success doing it my way?  Am I crazy?  (Don’t answer that. it was rhetorical.)

I runfess…

I have been going to the gym at least once a week but I just rush in, do all the machines and rush out.  I could also use the treadmill or the bike.

at least the gym is near Starbucks

I should also take a class (spinning, boot camp, Zumba) before my free membership elapses, right?

I runfess…

I am actually enjoying my shorter races.  I used to feel pressured when I ran them.  I felt like I should try to PR.  But now I am not even trying to run fast.  I’m still having decent finish times and even winning some age group awards. In my most recent race, my slowest pace was the end of the race.

Once my May 21 half is over and I have a break in my training, I should consider trying for a 5K PR.

I runfess…

I am looking forward to 8 day vacation in Naples, FL with my tennis friends.  It’s always a fun time to unwind, go to the beach and have some quality girl-time.

We are going 2 weeks early because one of the ladies is expecting a grandchild. This, however, means missing some of my favorite races. Serious FOMO will be happening.

I runfess…

My half marathon on May 21 is on a flat course and it is the same course where I did PR back in October.  So I should train better than I have for this weekend’s fun one.  Will I?

Well, there’s my Florida trip and then there’s a 5k on May 13 and another possible one on May 14.

Summer Smith Memorial 5k

As Brittany says; Oops, I’ve done it again.

I runfess…

I used almost always run by myself.  I actually enjoyed the solitude and being alone with my thoughts.  I even stopped listening to music.

Well lately, I’ve gotten spoiled.  I have my training group peeps on Monday, STEM volunteers on Wed, Alyssa on Thurs and there are my races on the weekend.

It’s so much more fun running with someone else.

Now it feels weird when I am alone.  I’ve started listening to podcasts.  It’s my virtual running partner talking to me (and I don’t have to talk back…but I can..).

Anyone else prefer to run with a friend than solo?

I runfess…

I am planning to wear a top to this weekend’s half marathon that I have not worn before.  Judy says it is comfortable so I will believe her.  (But I do plan to wear a sports bra underneath!!)

Anyone wear new unworn items to a big race??

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month?

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TOLT: It’s Half Time, Vacation Time, etc.

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

thinking out loud

Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

  • Half Time:

And I’m not talking about football. This weekend I am heading to NYC to run the Shape Women’s Half Marathon.

Image result for shape women's half marathon

I am, of course, weather stalking:

Glad the race isn’t Sat…

My preference would be weather like this past weekend – sunny and cool but as long as it doesn’t rain, I’ll be happy.

What to wear is pretty easy since I always wear a SkirtSports skirt and tank. I’m going purple for this race.

The logistics and weekend events are still up in the air and it’s Thursday.  I may be going and staying in a hotel room with two other women or maybe only one.  One is injured and can’t decide if she wants to walk or stay home.  We may be driving 1 1/2hrs and taking the train to the city or taking the train from Albany and taking the bus back.  I’m thinking the first option since it is cheaper.

We are staying in a hotel in Harlem on 124th St.  Tentative plans are drop off bags, bib pick up (57th), hotel check in, new Whitney museum (13th St) and dinner.  We are having dinner with another local runner.  There’s another STEM graduate who running the race.  I need to try to plan a meet-up with her as well as another blogger.

Race-cations are always exciting even if they are short.

  • Freihofer Run for Women Training Challenge:

Image result for freihofer's run training challenge

This is the 7th year of this program and my third year participating. I signed up for the Advanced group again and we already had 6 weeks of training.  We have a great group of new and returning runners. I only go on Mondays but I actually like the speed drills this year.  They seem to be less painful than previous years (or maybe I’m just more relaxed and not trying to be the fastest.)

Patrick, who is young and cute, is still one of our coaches. He is constantly scolding me for not running as fast as he thinks I am able and mostly for racing every weekend.  However, I am able to ask him questions and he gives me useful advice (that I may or may not follow LOL).

  • Upcoming Florida Vacation:

With work and this weekend in NYC, I’m not ready.  We leave on a 6am flight next Wednesday.  I’m away this weekend, have my running group Monday evening and tennis Tuesday evening.  Yikes! When do I pack for 8 days away??

But looking forward to sunsets and fun times on the tennis courts and soaking up the sun on the beach.

If you know me, you know that although there are very few races this time of year in Florida, since we are there 2 weeks earlier than usual, I thought I’d take a look.

May 7 – 7:30 am

I found one – two loops around Old Naples.  We have tickets for a show the night before so I don’t know if I can talk someone with a car into getting up early to drive me.  We’ll see.

Happy Running! What’s new with you today? Tell me in the comments.