February 20, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update – 2.13.17-2.19.17

Last Week:

Monday – still feeling meh but dragged myself out for an after work run. It was very windy and cold. Plus the campus path that is usually cleared was icy and snow covered.

snow blew back on the path and froze

Tuesday – still trying to get back into my routine. Got in a short walk at lunch and went to play tennis after work. Wouldn’t you know it, one of the four ladies didn’t show so we just hit for awhile and then chatted over popcorn and wine.
Wednesday – Had to rush my run to get home in time for a Bar Exam webinar but at least I got some exercise. My legs still weren’t feeling it and I walked a lot.

just ran/walked around work instead of driving to campus

Thursday– still spent most of my day in a brain fog and counting the hours until I could go to sleep. So I decided to take a rest day and not drag myself in a run.
Friday – I decided today that no matter how bad I felt, I was going for a run. The campus path was clear again. Believe it or not, I listened to a podcast for the first time. It was awesome. I’ve always loved Ali from Ali on the Run and she was interviewing Emily from Sweat Once a Day, another favorite (and the daughter of my VT friend, AJH.) I actually ran (with a lot of walking) 6 miles! I’m hooked and will be looking for more podcasts to listen to.

Saturday – A beautiful sunny day. Of course, it was my rest day and although tempted, I didn’t cheat. I actually went to gym and then walked a bit. I was so exhausted that I came home and took a nap (which I never do).

Sunday – I was pretty doubtful about my stamina to complete my long run. The weather was perfect – sunny and it even warmed up to 55 degrees. But my body had other ideas. I struggled with breathing and coughing and could only muster running for a few minutes at a time and then walking. I considered quitting after 2.5 miles. Again after 5 miles. But just decided to walk more and more. I got 10 miles done rather than the 12 normally on the plan. All was not lost. I enjoyed listening to more podcasts and had a great post run treat. I’m glad that I ran alone and didn’t push myself. Two weeks to get it together for half marathon #24.

went to one of my favorite routes – Corning Bike Path which was clear for at least 3 miles. Got to wear a skirt for the first time in months 🙂

22 miles done with 4 runs (and that’s a loose term) and 3 rest days

Best part of being sick:

Finished knitting these socks. I started them in July LOL

This Week:

Monday – day off from work – visit to the new casino with a friend, 4 miles??
Tuesday – rest day (working at the bar exam)
Wednesday –6 miles??
Thursday – rest day (working at the bar exam)
Friday – (working at the bar exam), 3 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – Winter Series 10 mile race?

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

Happy Running! How is your running going? How is your running weather? Do you walk when you are too sick to run? Do they still count as miles?

February 17, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0 – Winter: Grumble Grumble Grumble

It’s Friday and 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.

This week, the topic is: Winter Fitness Rants

I have many but I’ll limit it to FIVE:

It takes so friggin’ long to get dressed to run outside!! Shirt, vest, jacket, tights, two pairs of socks, gloves, hat, etc.

2. And you look fatter wearing all those layers. No arguing that winter running clothes are sexy.

3. There’s nowhere safe to run. All my favorite paths are covered with ice or snow or both.

4. There aren’t races every weekend. Just ONE real race in February. I am going through withdrawal.

16402575_10208876574492728_239505515196304670_o
5. I don’t own a treadmill so I have to run in the cold, wind, ice and snow. Wah…wah…wah. Poor me!!

Happy Running! Any more complaints that you can add to my list?

February 15, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: The Sleepy Post

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:

Last week, my half marathon training was derailed by illness.

This has been my running so far this week:

Monday: NO PLACE TO RUN

this path around campus is normally clear

Tuesday: NO TIME TO RUN

I was scheduled to play tennis after work. (It turns out that one of the four players didn’t show so we hit a little and then sat around eating popcorn.)

Wednesday: NO ENERGY TO RUN

The side effects of this flu has been EXTREME FATIGUE. Yup, it’s a thing. You can suffer for this for weeks when your immune system fights off the flu. Even getting 10 hours of sleep doesn’t help.

So today, I’ve cancelled my run.

We’ll see what tomorrow and this weekend brings.

I have no goals or aspirations for this half marathon….just finish!!

I do want to have enough energy to have fun with my Florida friends, though.

My brain is too foggy to think anymore.

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today? Any experience dealing with fatigue?

February 14, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Stuff I Love about Running

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 Stuff I Love About Running.

I could go on and on but I will limit it to EIGHT great things:

1. Bling

Yup, it’s cool to get medals.

2. Opportunities to Travel

I don’t travel as much as other runners but I have gotten to visit California, Florida, Vermont, Philly and NJ.

: Sarasota, FL

: Palm Springs, CA

: Burlington, VT

3. Races

I would race every weekend if I could.

: Winter Series 10k

: 2016

: Celebrate Life HM

4. Running Friends

They are the best….

: 4/30 – 10k

5. Prizes awarded based on your Age

I love that that I am only competing with other women and the ones that are in my age group.

6. Blogging

If I didn’t run, I probably wouldn’t blog and I would have missed out on meeting some fabulous ladies.

: 2017

: this aventure was definitely worth taking time off without pay)

7. Opportunities to Inspire Others

Never doubt that you can have an impact on someone else. You can.

8. How it makes me feel

Healthy, strong, empowered, young(er)…

Happy Running! Tell me something you LOVE about running.

Don’t forget my giveaway – TOMORROW is the last day – enter it here!!

February 10, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Love <3

I am 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.

This week, the theme is LOVE.

What do I love? If you read my blog, none of these things will surprise you:

1.Racing

Yes, even in the winter when it is freezing outside.

2. Noosa Yogurt with Granola

All the flavors are good. I never tire of having it for lunch EVERYDAY.

3. Starbucks K-Cups and flavored creamers

I am a coffee snob and I love Starbucks but it’s easier to have it right at my desk. So I buy the k-cups. Peppermint Mocha creamer is the bomb!

4. Running with Friends

You never have a bad run with you are running with someone else.

5. My Cats

They give me unconditional love (as long as I feed them LOL).

Jerry

I do love my family and friends – But that’s a given!!

Happy Running! What’s on your “love” list?

February 9, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: Flexibility, Lady Gaga, Work, Giveaway, 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:

Are you flexible?

I’d like to think that I am. But if you are too flexible, do people take advantage of you?

The latest is that a running friend asked me to run a half marathon with her. She didn’t want to run it alone. It wasn’t one that I wanted to run (TWO loops around Central Park) and the timing wasn’t great (right before I leave for a Florida tennis vacay). But I said that I would if she could find an affordable hotel so we could split the cost.

She found a hotel and I registered for the race (non-refundable.)

The race is in NYC so there’s still meals, transport, etc. but I started looking forward to running it with her.

Now she sprung it on me that she cannot go. Her son wants to go a show that day. I total get it. Family is much more important than running.

So am I stuck running and spending a weekend in NYC alone and spending $250 on a hotel room???

Initially I freaked.

Sometimes things work out. Remember my crazy NYC weekend with the Russian girls.

I FB messaged someone whom I met at a local race who had mentioned that she and a friend (whom I don’t know) were running this same race.

I asked her if she knew anyone who needed a roommate. She said no but I was welcome to be a third person in her room.

Guess who’s sharing a bed with a runner that she’s never met? That would be flexible Darlene.

April 30, 2017

Ok. Who didn’t love Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl performance? I’ve always been a fan so I was in heaven.

But now people are talking about her pot belly!

Seriously?

I should be so lucky to have my stomach look that good. Just sayin.’

Working is tiring!!!

At the end of the day, my brain feel like I’ve run a marathon. But then at night, I can’t sleep. (Age, hormones, stress???)

I am pooped. I was too tired to run on Tuesday and too sick to run on Wednesday. (It could have been standing all day or lifting 80 lb laptop cases in and out or maybe the headache, sore throat and cold that invaded my body.)

Missing runs is not like me.

Have you entered my giveaway yet?

utah

I am giving away TWO free entries to run the Utah Valley Half Marathon (or any of the race distances -marathon, half marathon, or 10k) on June 10, 2017. Click here for your chance to win or you can use the code dc15 to get a 15% discount.

Happy Running! Do you get taken advantage of? What did you think about Lady Gaga? Did you enter my giveaway? Does work or sickness interfere with your running? Spill. What’s on your mind today?

February 7, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Scenes From My Run (Winter 2017)

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 Scenes from my run.

It’s no secret that I love to run in the warm weather. My preferred scenery is an ocean or a lake.

Memories…

But since it is winter, I have to make do with what’s in my area.

Here are my favorite places to run:

Corning Bike Path along the Hudson River

UAlbany esp. the Indian Pond Trail

Colonie Town Park

Zim Smith Trail

Nisky Bike Path along the Mohawk River

Delmar Rail Trail

Now only if the winter would cooperate and we would have a dry winter. Otherwise all the trails above will look like this:

Happy Running! Where do you like to run?

February 4, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – February

Confessions of a Mother Runner

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

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that I am excited for my third year as Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain. In addition to loving their products, I have never met such an enthusiastic and supportive bunch of women. If you’re not an ambassador yet, you should apply next year!!

ambsearch-image

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that at the moment I am running a hilly 4 mile race about an hour from my home. I probably should have skipped it and done my long run with Judy instead tomorrow.

fb09c6aa-77b9-4de8-a250-633196d0de29

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that to take my mind off the cold, I am planning my outfit for my March 5 half marathon in Florida. Cold or not, I am wearing a new skirt and new hat!!

: from Skirt Sports, of course

: Brooks

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am trying to motivate myself to work out. So far, it is not working. So I am putting it on my calendar for one of my rest days. There are three each week. I am going to the gym TOMORROW!

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I will be sad when our FREE races are over. Now I need to look for long run partners, places to run and food to eat post-race.

only ONE more left

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that it is Declare It Day and I declared…

2-4-17

For more info on this, go to: http://fellowflowers.com/declareitday/how-to-declare/

I have registered for FOUR half marathons already. Still need one more in the late fall. Hoping for a #holottafun girls weekend again.

love Sarasota so this one looks tempting.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill?

February 3, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Where do you work out?

It’s Friday and 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.

This week, the topic is: Gym/Workout Space

You have heard whine about how I DO NOT work out. So you are probably wondering why or how I was going to write this post.

I do not have a workout space at home. My basement is a unfinished cellar full of my hubby’s junk. None of the other rooms are large enough to work out in (except for maybe the family room where my hubby’s hand is permanently attached to the remote.)

At my last job, there was a bike, treadmill and elliptical available behind the stage in the gym. And when the weather was so terrible that I could not possibly run, I did go there. and use them.

I have to pay to use the machines in the gym where I work now. But I do have access to a free gym.

workouts

So here’s what there is:

Treadmill

2. Exercise Bikes and Elliptical Machines

3. Machines to work on your arms

4. Machines to work on your legs

5. Weights and all other kinds of cools things:

KettleBells

But here’s the problem:

Happy Running? Do you belong to a gym? Or do you work out at home?

February 2, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: Shoes, Deferrals, Long Runs, Work Travel, Cold Weather, 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:

Running shoes – Why do shoe manufacturers change their shoes?

I loved my Nike Zoom Vomero 10s.

nike2

The 11s are tighter in the toe box and heavier. Grr…

Nike_Vomero_11_Vs_10
Now the 12s are out which makes it hard to find the 10s.

The good news is that thanks to Amazon, I found a new pair of 10s. I also have a pair that I found (at a great price) at a Nike Outlet when I was visiting Holly in Panama City Beach.) I will need to wear these sparingly.

Women's Nike Zoom Vomero 10 Running Shoes

Race Entry Deferrals – I have never deferred a race entry but I just deferred my 2017 entry into the Best Damn Race NOLA. I registered for it on a whim and spent a whopping $10. I doubt that I will even be able to run it next year. But who knows? I am still hoping to get into the NYC Half (in March 2018).

Image result for nola half marathon best damn

maybe someday??

Racing and Training – I am always thinking about the fact that I love to race but I am training for a half marathon.

At least our local free races have kinda fit into my schedule: 10k, 15k and next weekend 10 miler.

Well, this weekend, I need to run 10-11 miles but I signed up for a 4 mile race. I am running the race with a blogger friend.

Do I add on more miles after the race? The race is in a very hilly area and one that gets lots of snow and ice. Do I drive home and run more miles? (I also have a party to go to that night…)

Do I run the extra miles the next day? Or all the miles the next day? Remember that party…it would be easier to enjoy it if my long run were done, right? Plus I have another party on Sunday.

Work and Travel – I was supposed to start traveling for work next Tuesday. That meant that I had to cancel tennis and skip 2 days of running.

The good news is that they switched me to a local site. No travel or hotel stay. I do have to set up a mobile lab from 4-6 pm on Tuesday and work from 8 am-6 pm on Wednesday. But I can run in the evenings if I have the energy.

The bad news is that I won’t be earning points for hotels and rental cars. You now where I am going with this, right?

Race-cations!!

Winter Running – I don’t like it. And it really hasn’t been cold – no sub-zero temps (yet). But I am trying to embrace it. It’s mind over matter. But after being indoors all day, it’s not so bad freezing your buns off while running.

15 with the windchill felt revitalizing

What I will hate is when we get ice and snow and there’s no safe place to get in a long run.

Happy Running! What’s on your mind today? Please share. Do you have problems finding running shoes? Do you defer race entries? What about long runs and race – how do you do both? How are you coping with winter temps?