November 11, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: If only I had more time…

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

Today’s topic is: Five Activities You Wish You Had Time For:

This is a tough one. Running is my preferred activity. I am glad that I can squeeze it in. With work and family/social activities, there’s not much time left for anything else.

So these are things that I enjoy but don’t have enough time for…

1. Reading

I love to read. So I try to read before I go to bed. But it’s always too late so I only get a few pages done.

2. Watching TV

Again, I am rarely home enough to watch TV. I DVR a few shows (This is US, Grey’s Anatomy, Call the Midwife) but finding the time to watch them is a struggle. I know there a lot of great shows out there. Who has the time?

3. Fitness Classes such as Yoga, Zumba, Spinning, etc.

I never seem to find the time for yoga and I would love to try some other classes, as well.

4. Quilting

Before running, I used to quilt. I belonged to a quilt guild and went on retreats. I haven’t touched it in years. My artistic side enjoyed picking out the materials and assembling the squares.

my quilt guild buddies

5. Tennis

Also before running, I played tennis everyday. I was part of several teams as well. Now, I play only several times a month.

my 2010 team which went on to compete in Regionals

Happy Running! Which other activities do you wish you had time for?

November 9, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Determination

WednesdayWordScrabbleButton

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: Determination.

This quote especially rings true after watching the NYC Marathon.

Anyone who finished possessed a hell of a lot of determination.

As they say:

Right now I don’t have that kind of determination. Maybe someday but likely not ever.

But I do know what it feels like to have the determination to do something that at one time seemed impossible.

Running my first race
Completing my first half marathon.
Finishing a race with an injury.
Coming back to running after an injury.

Happy Running! What have you been or are you “determined” to do?

November 8, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Blogging Changes

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: How are you different from when you started blogging?

I’ve been blogging since March 25, 2008. That was the DAY that I decided to become a runner.

I’ll start with what has remained the same:

Blogging Goals

My goals haven’t really changed. I blog to motivate myself to continue running, to keep track of my running and racing and to connect with others who do the same.

Posting

I’ve always posted several times a week. Some weeks it’s everyday. Other weeks it’s less often. It depends on my schedule.

Blogger Meetups

I have been fortunate to connect with many bloggers. Many were local and have become my friends even though they no longer blog.

: Adirondack Half – 2011

: me, Suzy, Amanda, Tami, Janis, Bridget

Race Reviews

I recap each of my races almost as soon as they are over (so I don’t forget the details. ) These recaps are mostly for myself but I have heard that others read them too.

What has changed:

Content

I post more photos. It helps that I abandoned the camera and got a smartphone so it’s easier. Plus with the apps available, you can edit, make collages and be as creative as you have time for.

Link-ups

When I first started, there were very few. I used to write posts called Two for Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Three Things Thursday and Foto Friday.

Now they are a bunch of fabulous link-ups. (WW, TOTR, Wednesday Word, TOLT, Friday Five 2.0, etc.) These help attract readers to your blog as well as, connect you with new blogs.

Product Reviews

I used to get asked to review products pretty frequently. Not much anymore. Probably because there are more bloggers out there (with bigger readerships than me).

reviewing Yak Trax

Sponsorships

I am a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain. So I get discounts from my favorite company.

love my SS outfits

My Running

Now I don’t just run 5ks. I used to (hence the title of my blog. )

I have run 22 half marathons and many many 10ks, 15ks and 10 milers.

finishing #21

I am more confident as a runner and though I don’t know it all, I know a lot more about running than when I started blogging.

Other Bloggers

I don’t follow many blogs. I am selective. Basically because I don’t have the time.

The ones that I do read and comment on are more than fellow bloggers. They are really my virtual friends.

and sometimes you get to meet them in the flesh.

This brings me to why I can’t wait to run (and party) with 6 other virtual friends (Wendy, Holly, Tricia, Marybeth, Marcia & Karen) on Dec 3 in Panama City, FL!!!!!

Happy Running! How long have you been blogging? Have you changed since you started?

November 4, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0 – Things You May Not Know About Me

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🙂

Today’s topic is: Five Things That You Don’t Know About Me:

I used to sew my own clothes.

It was at first to save money but then because I enjoyed it. Next, I did needlework like crewel and cross-stitch. But my favorite sewing activity is quilting. I have made quite a collection of quilts. (They’re all over my house.)

: at a quilt retreat

Now I’m onto knitting.

IMG_4256-0

2. I was a Math major in college until I found out that I could spend my junior year abroad if I majored in French.

I love the French language and anything French (food, wine, art, music) so I am glad that I made that switch.

creme brulee

3. I played the violin in grade school but I always wanted to learn to play the piano.

I know, there’s still time but I don’t own a piano.

4. I’ve won a few photography contests (years ago – before digital).

One was in our local newspaper of two spiders mating. Another was of an organ grinder in Paris.

5. I’ve never eaten peanut butter or avocado.

They just don’t interest me.

Happy Running! Tell me one thing that I didn’t know about you.

November 3, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: October Recap

Image result for october

So fall has finally arrived!! And very recently, we’ve even experienced some cooler temps (even a few flakes of snow).

So here’s how October went down…

Weekday Runs:

We’ve been lucky and had a pretty mild fall with very little rain. 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 starting to get dark earlier and earlier.

I ran with Alyssa several times. Like Barbara, I met her through FB. I struggle when I run with her but she gets me to run faster. She says that I make her faster. Win-Win. I also ran with Barbara and she is even faster than Alyssa. Unfortunately she is on the DL for a few weeks. 😦

It’s definitely more fun running with friends.

Long Runs:

There were four of these! One was a half marathon and one was added miles to a 5k race.

: 5k + 6.9 = 10

: 10/30

Total Mileage:

I ran 96 miles this month – the most that I have run since April!! Woo! Hoo! I should hit 1000 next month hopefully.

oct

Races:

I ran four races this month – a half marathon, a 10K and two 5ks.

: 27:48 & 2nd in my AG

: Ramblefest HM – 2016

: 57:22 – a hilly 10K

: 28:42 – cold and rainy – 1st in my AG

I was generally happy with how they all went. I did not have PR goals but I did PR in my Half Marathon!!!!! Pysched!

And I won age group awards in both of the 5ks.

I knew runners at all of the races and they were all super fun (except for the wet one). As you can guess I LOVE RACING!!

Cross Training:

The tennis season has moved indoors and that means that I have be a member of a club and join a contract. $$$$$ So I don’t play as often as I did in the summer (when it was free and I was unemployed.) I am scheduled to play two Tuesdays a month but do get called to sub on the other weeks.

I DID NOT go to a single yoga class!! Someday I will do, I think. Maybe!

Miss you, Maria!

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

I did go hiking once. I had planned to go more. It is so beautiful around here in the fall. But fitting it in (now that I work) was very challenging.

I did walk every day at lunch for 30 minutes – Either around the outdoor shopping mall to get a Starbucks coffee or around a short nature trail.

Other News:

My running groups have continued this month. The Troy Turkey Trot Challenge group meets on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings. I can only go on Mondays. I am running with my friends in the 10k group. It will be the one day of the week where I may have to do speed drills.

The STEM group meets on M, W, F and I volunteer and run with them on Wednesday evenings. We are doing the Couch to 5K program with some new and returning runners (who are domestic violence survivors) to train them for a 5k race on Nov. 19.

I took a day trip to NYC to meet up with my college friends (We spent our junior year together in France) . Then on the same day, I met my tennis friends to go to a Broadway show. What a full but exciting day!!

brunch in a French restaurant and then off to see “Waitress”

I spectated at a friend’s duathlon. I think I’ll stick to running.

I spent one last day boating on Lake George. It was fun but I am sad to see the season end. Winter is sooo long!!

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 do have a lot of races coming up. Fall is my favorite time to race. This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

11-05-16 – NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K (in NYC)
11-11-16 – Veteran’s Dash 5K
11-13-16 – Stockade-athon 15K
11-19-16 – Girls on the Run 5k (STEM volunteer which is good because I’m out of town for work Nov 14-18)
11-24-16 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k and then the 5k
12-03-16 – Panama City Half Marathon (in FL)
12-10-16 – Albany Last Run 5K

I have a racing addiction!!!

No monthly goals.

my motto for 2016

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

thinking out loud

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

November 2, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Esoteric

This week’s word is: Esoteric.

According to the dictionary, esoteric means:

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.

To my friends and family, running is esoteric.

I still have friends that say to me before a race: “Good luck. I hope you win!” (And they don’t mean “age group.”

So how many of your non-running friends and family know what these terms mean?

Aid station
Age Group
Bandit
Bib
Black toenails
Bloody nipples
BOTP
BPM
BQ
Brick workout
Cadence
Carb-loading:
Chafing:
Chip
Chip Time
Clydesdale
Compression
Cooldown
Corral
DFL (Thanks Judy)
DNS
DNF
DOMS
Dreadmill
Dynamic Stretching
Elite
Endorphins
Fartlek
5K
Foam Roller
Footstrike
Fuel
Galloway Method
Glycogen
Garmin
Gu
Hill repeats
Ice baths
IT Band
Interval training
K-Tape
Lactic Acid
Ladder
LSD (not the drug)
Masters
Negative splits
Newbie
Orthotics
Out-and-back
Overuse injury
Overpronation
Pace
PF
Pick-ups
Point-to Point (thanks Judy)
PR
RICE
Runner’s knee
Singlets
Speedwork
Splits
Static Stretching
Streaker
Strides
Supination
Tangents
Taper
Tempo Run
10K
Ten percent rule
Trots
VO₂ max
Warmup
The Wall

Image result for understanding running ecards

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

Happy Running! Are your family and friends esoteric about running? Can you think of any other terms to add to my list?

November 1, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Winter Cross-Training

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: Favorite Winter Cross-Training

It’s EATING!! LOL.

No seriously, I hate winter, the cold, being outside…ugh! I don’t ski, ice skate, snow shoe or snowmobile.

If I didn’t sign up for winter races, I wouldn’t run either.

At least we had a mild winter last year. Hoping for more of the same this winter.

This Half Marathon will motivate me to get out there and run:

Stuart, FL

I’d have to say that my favorite cross-training activity is tennis. I play doubles once a week.

indoors, of course

I also enjoy yoga (though I suck at it) and hope to take some classes this winter.

Happy Running! What is your favorite way to cross-train in the winter?

October 30, 2016 by Darlene

Belated Runfessions – October

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

Sorry I’m a little late on this one…

I runfess…

I was in NYC for work for 5 days this past week. I didn’t bring my laptop but I did have my iPad. So I could have. But I didn’t feel like blogging. So I skipped WW, TOLT and Friday Five. Just needed a breather. Ever feel blogged out?

I runfess…

Though I was in NYC for work, my mind was fixated on “Where and when can I run today?”

It’s not easy in a strange city when you have little free time.

sometimes you just have to miss lunch

I had hoped to do the following:

run along the Hudson River
run along the East River
run to Battery Park
run in Central Park

I did accomplish the first three.

I runfess…

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

even raced in these horrible conditions

I almost ran one this weekend too. But I felt guilty neglecting my mentee and her kids so I spent time with them on Saturday. I just wish my running friends would not post pix from their races on FB when I don’t run. LOL.

I runfess…

I choose my long run locations based on the post run fueling options. Don’t you?

chocolate milk and a sticky bun

I runfess…

I signed up for 6 races in November!! Yes, six! a 10k, a 15k, and 4 5ks. At least none of them is a half marathon. This just means that my long runs may be non-existent.

the Troy turkey trot 10k is one of my favorites

I runfess…

I have a 5k in NYC this Saturday. The logistics for the weekend will be crazy – getting there, checking into my airbnb apt, meeting my friend from Russia, getting my bib, getting to the race, planning a blogger meet-up, getting my luggage, getting home, etc. There’s a 5k somewhere in the mix. I haven’t given the race a second thought. It’s just for fun. I would love to spectate the NYC marathon on Sunday but I don’t have a place to stay Saturday night. (Any offers?)

at last year’s 5k

Happy Running! Anything to Runfess?

October 25, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Race Rewind

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: Race Rewind. What race do you want a do-over on? Either to train/race differently or to relive the awesome.

My half marathons are the most memorable so I’ll talk about them.

I have THREE races that I would love to Relive the Awesome.

Naples Half Marathon

It was my first. The course was gorgeous and it took place in my favorite city in Florida. I couldn’t enjoy as much I’d like because I was worried that I wouldn’t finish. (I hadn’t run any race longer than a 5k at that point.) Plus the time limit was 2:45 and I wanted to be sure to get that medal. I would love to run it again.

: Naples, Florida

: Naples -Jan 2011

West Palm Half Marathon

Another beautiful course exactly 4 years after my first and almost 20 minutes faster. It was my PR until recently. I enjoyed every minute of the race.

: West Palm – Jan 2015

Ramblefest Half Marathon

This was my most recent half marathon and my current PR. I loved this course and I would love to re-run it in nicer weather. It was cold and rainy. Still the foliage and views were awesome.

: previous 13.1

There are also FIVE Do-Overs where I would like the chance to run them better:

Santa Clarita Half Marathon.

I was hoping that this would be a PR. I trained well. But maybe over-trained? And I flew all the way to California to run it with my friend’s sister. It rained for 6 miles and then I gave up on it when I realized that I wouldn’t have the time I wanted. I was very disappointed in myself after that race.

: HS/College BFF’s sister in LA

: getting ready to head out into the rain

: at least I got a medal!

EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon

Another one where I expected to have a good finish time. After all, it was a similar course to the West Palm race. Except that I finished 20 minutes slower. Yup, I’d like a redo.

: E

: Eau Palm Beach – Dec 2015

Asbury Park Half Marathon

Running along the Atlantic Ocean. What could be better? Except that my feet hurt the WHOLE race. It was hard to enjoy the views amid the pain. Do over, please!

: Asbury Park Half Marathon

: Asbury Park Half Marathon

Love Run

This was my first race-cation with friends. I was so looking forward to this weekend. But it rained ALL weekend. Not just rained but poured…a MONSOON…record rainfall during the race. I have never seen such mud!! Philadelphia is a beautiful city. I want to run this race again and see the sites we ran past.

Adirondack Half Marathon

Another race where I signed up with friends. But I had a strained Achilles over the summer and was unable to train for this fall race. With my longest run only being 6 miles, I decided to do the race, run the first 7 miles but walk the last 6 miles. I finished with at 2:45 – my slowest half marathon time. I would love to run it again healthy.

: Adirondack Half – 2011

: Adirondack Half Marathon

I have run 22 half marathons. I have not repeated any and I don’t plan to but if I did, the ones mentioned in this post I’d love to run again.

Happy Running! Which races would you like a do-over?

October 21, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0

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 🙂

1. It’s Friday! Such a long week… Ever have one those work weeks that drag on….?

Image result for TGIF

2. It was 85 degrees two days ago. Now they are saying 40 degrees and maybe snowflakes for tomorrow. I am not ready!!! Are you also having this schizophrenic fall weather?

3. I have a 5k race tomorrow night. What do I wear? I forgot how to dress for cooler weather. Anyone else have this problem?

4. I have such a busy weekend planned that I did my long run on Wednesday after work. 8 miles during the week. This rarely happens.

5. I will be in NYC for 5 days next week for work. All I can think about is where can I run? And when? My hotel (on 6th & 26th) is one mile from the Hudson River and one mile from the East River. If anyone lives in NYC and can give me advice, please do!

nyc-run

6. Cuz I couldn’t stop at 5. I put my name in for the NYC Half Marathon lottery AGAIN! I’ll keep trying but if I wait 2 more years, I can qualify with a time of 2:12:00. There are perks to getting older.