December 13, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Decorate

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Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This week’s word is DECORATE.

I love this time of year. The holiday decorations always put me in a good mood. And the best way to see them is to go for a walk or a run.

Here are some I’ve seen:

In Washington Park – Albany, NY

In Panama City Beach, FL

: never seen so many blow up items

In NYC:

Normally, I could show you pics from my house. But I am a slacker this year. I’ve been away two weekends in a row and I am way behind …on everything.

Of course as a runner, these are my favorite decorations this year:

: Sarasota Music Half – Feb

Happy Running! Do you decorate your house? What are your favorite decorated places or favorite decorations?

December 12, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – My last day in Panama City Beach and I wanted to hit 1000 miles for the year here.

I loved running here!!! (The donuts were an added bonus.)

And I did.

Tuesday – Back to reality – work and cold weather and a needed rest day to unpack, do laundry, shop etc.

Wednesday – I decided to go for a run since I wasn’t scheduled for tennis except that I didn’t realize that they didn’t turn the lights on in the Crossings.

Thursday– Another cold day and I had too much to do so I bailed on my run. (I got spoiled in Fla. The cold is depressing.)

Friday – Another rest day – a holiday party at work and I hosted Mah Jongg at my house.

I forgot to take of pic of my dessert plate – so many delicious ones.

Saturday – Weather is getting colder – the coldest of the year so far and I had an evening 5k.

Had a fun time even running on tired legs.

Sunday – Annual Holiday Trip to NYC. What a great day!

11 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days (Taking a training break, obviously)

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run before tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run, dinner with a friend
Wednesday – rest day, STEM thank you dinner
Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Friday – rest day, Painting party to celebrate mentee’s b-day
Saturday – 6 mile run, tennis holiday party
Sunday – rest day

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?

December 7, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Organize

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This week’s word is ORGANIZE.

In other words, if you want to run a 5K, you plan your runs, sign up for a race and then you make it happen.

The same goes for running a half or full marathon.

Some of us have lives that are easier to organize than others. But if it’s your dream, you prioritize things so that you achieve it.

Quotes Staying Organized

That being said, I’m not one for official plans. But I do sign up for races way in advance and I do plan out my runs each week. Someday I will even plan out strength training and speed work.

Without a plan for your running, you have less of a chance at achieving the results that you’d like.

I realized this early on when I tried to find quickly what I wanted to wear to go out for a run or a race.

Now thanks to my stepsons moving out, I’ve taken over their dressers and organized my stuff.

Stepson #1’s room –

drawer for socks
drawer for running skirts
drawer for long sleeve tops
drawer for capris & tights

Stepson #2’s room –

drawer for tanks
drawer for short sleeve tops
closet for hats, gloves and jackets

I keep my shoes in my own closet.

Tip: in all of the drawers, I roll my stuff so I see everything.

Happy Running! Are you organized? Any tips to share?

December 6, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: What I learned in 2016

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: Tell us something new you learned about running in 2016

Well, I learned a few things.

Carpe Diem

Yes, Seize the Day. I got spoiled with the amount of time off (and the salary) that was afforded me with my last job.

I am glad that I took those race-cations because they won’t be as frequent in the future.

: Sarasota FL

: VCM Relay – 2016

: NYC

You have to take advantage of those opportunities because you don’t know when they will disappear. (This applies to good health as well as free time.)

I can still get faster.

That 5k PR still stands from 2014 but I shocked myself with a half marathon PR. So I’m not giving up the idea of getting one for the 5k, 10k and 15k …YET.

Running is better with others.

It is easier to schedule your running when you run alone. I did that for most of my week day runs last year. However, you run better/faster if you run with someone else and it’s more enjoyable so you may run longer.

I guess that’s why I race so much but this year, in addition to Judy, I have found two more running partners.

Thanks Alyssa and Barbara

Happy Running! What did you learn about running this past year?

December 5, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I used to run in Washington Park after work all the time. But now that I changed jobs, I usually don’t feel like driving there and UAlbany is much closer. Tonight I decided to run there because I wanted to see the holiday light displays.

Tuesday – Just a Rest day. I took a wet walk at lunch and I didn’t even play tennis. I did some errands and finished packing for my trip.
Wednesday – Due to the rainy forecast, I had planned to get up early to run but it was just too dark and foggy… So another rest day with no burning off calories consumed at my monthly dinner out with my tennis friends.

Thursday – Not ideal but I felt I had to get some miles in so I squeezed in a short one before my flight.

Judy & I flew (via Atlanta) to Panama City Beach, FL. No travel issues and Holly was nice enough to pick us up at the airport and drive us to her house where we would be staying for the next 5 days.

Friday – Rest day but a busy day with bib pickup, carb loading and hanging out with 7 other awesome bloggers.

Saturday – We ran the Panama City Beach Half Marathon. We all finished – there wer sone PRs and I even won my age group. We all had a blast. Then we celebrated, of course.

Sunday – We started the day with a walk to get donuts followed by a short slow recovery run with a view of the ocean.

that’s WALK not work

20 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 6 mile run in Fl, fly home
Tuesday – Rest day, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – Rest day, holiday party at work, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – 5k race (in the evening)
Sunday – Rest day, day trip to NYC (an annual holiday tradition)

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?

December 2, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Girls Weekend Race-cation

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.

I have traveled to California and Vermont to run a half marathon with one friend. I have also spent a weekend in Philly with 4 other women to run a half marathon and it was so much fun.

Spoiler Alert: I am currently in Panama City Beach with 7 other awesome women and tomorrow we will be running a half marathon together!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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My topic for today is Five Reasons to Take a Girls Weekend Race-cation.

1. Training Support

Heidi, Adrienne & 1 training together for March 2014 race weekend in Philly

When you are training for the same race, you get support for your runs and race goals either in person or virtually.

sharing some miles with Judy

In addition to local blogger Judy, I have connected with and supported my other partners in crime for this weekend’s race through blogging, Instagram and FB.

2. Cost Savings

Lisa & Andrea – my roommates whom I had never met before the weekend in Philly

It is definitely cheaper to share a room with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.

This time, Holly has graciously offered her home to 7 running bloggers – most of whom she has never met in person. Thank you Holly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Visiting New Places

even in the rain, we visited all the sites of Philly

I love to travel and explore new cities. I have never been to Panama City Beach or this part of Florida. I am especially looking forward to beach views and sunsets.

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4. Sharing Your Racing Experience With Others

the Philly group – Andrea, Adrienne, Lisa, Heidi, me (& Heidi’s hubby)

I have raced most of my half marathons alone. I have enjoyed each one but not nearly as much as the one in Philly (in spite of the rain). We went to the expo together, carb loaded the night before, lined up at the start and met after the race to debrief.

I am sure the same will be true this weekend and I expect it to be totally awesome!!

5. Forging New Friendships

Andrea & I at VCM relay

The Philly group has kept in touch on Facebook. I have bumped into Andrea at several races. We had planned another race-cation with Lisa but ZOOMA Cape Cod got cancelled. We still hope that another will happen in the future.

I can’t wait to share everything that happens with my NEW FRIENDS this weekend in Panama City Beach!!!

( Maybe not everything – What happens in Panama City Beach stays in Panama City Beach, right?)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken a Girls Weekend Race-cation?

December 1, 2016 by Darlene

November Recap & TOLT

Image result for november Time has just flown by. I can’t believe that it is now December. I feel like I just wrote my October Recap.

Anyway, here’s how November turned out:

Weekday Runs:

We’ve been lucky and had a pretty mild November with very little rain or cold temps (until the last week.) So I was able to run at least 3-4 times outdoors each week which is great because I do not have a treadmill at home.

I ran mostly at UAlbany (near work). It’s easier than driving to run. Plus, it’s now dark when I get out of work.

I ran mostly alone. Barbara was injured. Alyssa was busy and I was in NYC one week.

It’s definitely more fun running with friends. I hope I get to do that more next month.

Long Runs:

There were a few of these! One was a 15k race race, one was miles added to a 5k race and one was actually 8 uninterrupted miles.

: 11/2

: 11/20

: 11/26

: 15k – 11/13

Total Mileage:

I ran 90 miles this month – 6 fewer than last month (cuz I missed a long run) but I should definitely hit 1000 for the year next month. (After Saturday, I will be at 993!!)

nov16

Races:

I ran six races this month – a 15k, a 10K and four 5ks.

Yes, 6!!!

: Dash to the Finish 5k

: Veteran’s Day 5k – 27:51

: Stockade-athon 15k – 11/13

: GOTR 5k (STEM mentor)

: Turkey Trot 10k and 5k

I was generally happy with how they all went. I did not have PR goals but my finish times were not far off. I even won an age group award in the Veteran’s Day 5k.

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I knew runners at all of the races and they were all super fun. As you can guess I LOVE RACING!! I wish there were more races during the winter months.

Cross Training:

I still play tennis (indoors now.) I am scheduled to play two Tuesdays a month but do get called to sub on some of the other weeks.

I DID NOT go to a single yoga class!! Someday I will. I hope!

Miss you, Maria!

I did NOT workout at the gym or at home at all. Total slacking here again this month!!

I did walk almost every day at lunch for 30 minutes – Either around the outdoor shopping mall to get a Starbucks coffee or around a short nature trail. When I was in NYC, I walked everywhere!!

what’s not to like about working near here for 5 days…

Other News:

My running groups ended this month.

I ran with the Troy Turkey Trot Challenge advanced group several Monday evenings. Those were the only times that I did any speed workouts. I hope to see these women (and do drills) again in the spring for the Freihofer Training Challenge group runs.

I volunteered with STEM group on most Wednesday evenings. Their 5k race took place on Nov. 19. It was a tremendously rewarding experience. I plan to volunteer again with this group, as well.

Jenn on the left is the founder of the group, Kim in the middle is our success story

I extended my race trip to NYC because my friend Anna from Moscow flew in and invited 2 of her Russians friends (now living in DC & Chicago) to join her. We had a busy time yet fun time together. And I got to meet fellow blogger, Karen, again.

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Looking Ahead:

My next half marathon is December 3 and I am very excited. It will also be a blogger meet-up!! I’m actually more excited about this than the race itself.

I do have a few races coming up. Things slow down around here when it gets cold.

This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

12-03-16 – Panama City Beach Half Marathon (in FL)
12-10-16 – Albany Last Run 5K
01-01-17 – HMRRC Winter Series #2 – 3.5M
01-15-17 – HMRRC Winter Series #3 – 10K
01-29-17 – HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K

No monthly goals.

my motto for 2016 & I’m sticking to it!

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

thinking out loud

Happy Running! How did your November turn out? Anything exciting planned for December?

November 30, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Endorphins

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This week’s word is ENDORPHINS.

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In other words, RUNNING makes me HAPPY.

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I’m not gonna lie. Sometimes running is painful. Some races are a struggle.

But I’ve never regretted a run I’ve taken …

Runners World 5K

nor have I regretted a race that I’ve completed.

Happy Running! Does running or anything else give you endorphins?

November 28, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Winter has arrived. It was cold. (In the 30s but with the wind, felt like 19!) I reluctantly went to my Troy Turkey Trot Training group run since it was our last one. We did some speed drills and it wasn’t so bad at all.

Tuesday – Sat in a training all day and it started with this:

So I had to go on a quick cold windy run before playing tennis. But at least my tennis game was indoors.

Wednesday – Rest day. Went for a walk in the mall with my bff after work.

Thursday – I ran both the Troy Turkey Trot 10k and 5k races. I raced the 10K and ran the 5k for fun. Both were fun!!

no PRs here but my times in both were better than last year – 57:51 and 30:57. Happy that the weather cooperated.

Then we had Thanksgiving dinner at my MIL’s that evening. I ate back all the calories t hat I burned off in those races.

I forgot to take a group picture but here’s my hubby’s nephew cutting the turkey

Friday – Rest day and work day. A nice quiet day because everyone took the day off. Besides work, I took a walk at lunch and played mah jongg in the evening.

Saturday – A rainy morning so I decided to do my last long run in the afternoon after my hair appt. I wasn’t sure how rested by legs would be after Thursday so I asked Judy to run with me. We did a nice slow run/walk on the Nisky bike path (except for the last 1/2 mile that I did at race pace. )

That evening the hubby and I went to the movies since we hadn’t been in a long time.

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Sunday – Rest day. Got my nails done and a lot of other stuff in preparation for my upcoming race-cation.

23 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run
Tuesday – Rest day, pack for race-cation
Wednesday – 3 mile run, monthly tennis dinner out
Thursday – Rest day, fly to Panama City Beach, FL!
Friday – Rest day, bib pickup, carb load with 7 awesome bloggers
Saturday – Panama City Beach Half Marathon, celebrate with 7 awesome bloggers
Sunday – 3-4 mile recovery run
Monday – another 3-4 mile along the beach, fly home

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?

November 26, 2016 by Darlene

Runfessions – November

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

Don’t be jealous but I am meeting her in the flesh next weekend!!!! Woo Hoo!!

I runfess…

I was in NYC for work for 5 days last week. I packed very light. In fact, I only brought ONE pair of capris and one sport bra. Don’t judge. I packed 3 different tops.

I runfess…

Though I was in NYC for work, my mind was fixated on “Where and when I could run each day.”

I was more prepared this time than the last. I knew where to run. I planned better too. I ran on the way to work (left clothes there the day before) and during lunch.

East River Greenway is great place to run.

I runfess…

I ran SIX races this month. Remember I suffer from the FOMO disease.

I ran two in one week and two in one day!!

: Nov 11 – 5k

: 2016 – 10K

Of course, I am running a race next weekend too.

I runfess…

Running 6 races in November just means that my long runs were non-existent or should I say non-traditional.

5k plus 10 with several breaks

I runfess…

Does anyone have amnesia when it comes to dressing for a new season? I can never remember what to wear for what temperature. That’s why I love summer. No decisions – skirt & tank.

Now it’s – what kind of hat, which gloves, how many layers, tights or capris? And it takes awhile to get it right.

overdressed?

I runfess…

I have a half marathon next Saturday. I am more excited about meeting some fantastic bloggers than about my finish time. So I hope Holly, Tricia, Marybeth, Wendy, Karen, Marcia & Judy can pull me through these 13.1 miles.