March 22, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: When To Wear Your Race Shirt

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

This week’s topic is Race shirt controversy: Wear TO the race or only AFTER the race?

AFTER!!!

They say it’s bad luck but it’s not that. First of all, most of the time I don’t get my race shirt until the day of the race. If it’s a destination race, even if I get it the day before, I have already planned my outfit. Plus I wouldn’t know whether it is comfortable to run in or not. Believe it or not, I still sometimes get cotton shirts. And many are unisex and even the small is too big.

After a big race, however, I usually can’t wait to wear my shirt.

after my Oct 2013 half while at the lake

hanging out in Sarasota after my Feb 2016 half

after my Sarasota half in March 2013

Many times, I wear them on runs after the race.

my Walkway half shirt

I also wear race shirts from a previous race at another race.

Bacon Hill Bonanza

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And those cotton shirts. I give them away and use the long sleeved ones as throw aways in races.

Nope. I’ve never worn my race shirt TO a race.

Happy Running! What about you?

March 18, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Clothes

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My Friday Five topic is: Five Favorite Clothing Items

Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra Running Skirt

: Celebrate Life HM

: Sarasota Music Half – Feb 2016

: running at the Crossings

The Gym Girl Ultra is long enough to cover but not too long. The shorts underneath don’t ride up and the waist band is tight enough so the skirt doesn’t fall down (even with stuff in the pockets.) No chafing either. It has 2 pockets – one on each side. They are hidden under the skirt. And they are big enough to fit your phone, key, fuel, etc. Plus, if you like to listen to music on the run, there is music port that allows you to run your headphone cord from your skirt pocket. And, it looks GOOD!

2. Skirts Sports Eclipse Tank Top

: Eau Palm Beach – Dec 2015

The Eclipse tank is loose-fitting but not too loose. It is long enough so it doesn’t ride up. It is very light and breathable.

3. Pro Compression Compression Socks or Calf Sleeves

: FRW

Pro Compression socks are tight but not so tight that you can’t get them on. They protect your legs from small scratches, abrasions and nasty things like poison ivy on a trail. Compression technology has been proven to limit swelling. They allow you to wear skirts on those iffy days when you’d reluctantly wear tights or capris.

4. Nike Zoom Vomero 10 Running Shoes

These Nikes are light but they still seem supportive. They have a soft wide toe box which is what sold them to me. And the most important thing, they are comfortable for both long and short runs. My feet do not hurt when I wear them.

5. Any Brand Baseball Cap

Hats keep my unruly hair out of the way. They keep the sun off my face and keep me dry when it is raining.

Happy Running! What are you favorite clothing items for running?

March 17, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: DOMS, Weather, More Races, Group Runs, etc.

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Who knew?

When you run a hilly races and your quads aren’t used to downhill running, you can get DOMs.

After the hilly half on Sunday, I felt fine. I felt good the next day. So good that I went for a short easy run.

Then Tuesday morning, DOMS set in.

In case you’ve never had them, DOMS is “dull, aching pain, soreness, tenderness, stiffness of muscles and joints, swelling, loss of strength, and reduced range of motion. Typically, symptoms appear 24 – 48 hours after we run.”

I’m not to the point that I’m hobbling, but my quads ached going up and down stairs and my left one was sore.

I, of course, Googled the treatment and discovered that the Sunday hot shower and the Monday hot tub were not highly recommended. You should ice your sore muscles. I knew that but they weren’t sore at the time. And take NSAIDS to reduce inflammation before you hurt. I knew that too. Too late now.

Treatment?

Time cures all. Light running doesn’t help or hinder DOMS. So I plan to continue that…just with NO downhills.

I played tennis Tuesday night and actually played better than I have in a long time. I iced afterwards. On Wednesday, my quads felt so much better. Today, they don’t hurt at all. Phew!

Speaking of running…

I have races scheduled for almost every weekend.

What was I thinking?

I love to race and I need to run long. There you go.

This Sunday I have a 5 mile race.

ss5

Hopefully, my quads will be healed and I can run. Reading over my review from last year, the first 2 miles are uphill… Oh no!

at last year’s race

Afterward, I hope to find the Betar Byway and run 4 more miles. I ran a race there last summer and it was very pretty (though maybe a flatter location would be wiser.)

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at the Betar Byway park along the Hudson

In the weeks to follow, I have a 5k, a 5 miler, a 10K and another Half Marathon (a hilly one.)

It’s nice that it is light enough to run after work. But what happened to those spring-like temps? It was 80 degrees last week.

me no likey

On Monday, I start my 10 week Freihofer Training Challenge group runs.

There are beginning, intermediate and advanced groups that meet on Mondays to run at 6:30 am, noon or 6 pm. For the second year, I joined the advanced 6 pm group. They also meet on Saturdays (which I don’t go to.)

frwtraining3

I’m looking forward to seeing my friends again and running regularly with a group. The speed drills, however, I am not looking forward to.

Happy Running! Have you ever had DOMS? Are you having spring-like weather? Do you run with a group? What are you thinking about this St. Patrick’s Day?

March 15, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: What’s Hard About Running?

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

This week’s topic is The hardest part of running is _______.

I was tempted to say EVERYTHING.

I don’t find running easy. I am not a natural athlete.

For me, long runs are hard. Speed workouts are hard. Hills are hard. 5ks are hard. Half Marathons are hard.

this explains it all (after the First Watch HM in March 2013)

You get the picture.

But the hardest part about running is expectations.

I’m not saying that it’s not good to push yourself. It is.

But if we are always expecting to be faster or expecting a PR or expecting an age group award, then we are disappointed when we don’t meet our expectations.

If running is filled with disappointments, then it no longer becomes enjoyable.

This is very hard too. How do you know how high to set the bar?

If I am not sore after a race, did I not push myself hard enough?

If my time was too slow, did I walk too much?

Can I run faster? Have I peaked?

Am I too old to be able to finish that fast?

But if we set NO expectations, then we can enjoy the run more.

No expectations. Just finish without any pain. Happy to have participated with friends and to have supported an important cause.

It will be hard but I hope I can do this more often:

and remember this:

Happy Running! What is the hardest thing about running for you?

March 11, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Racing

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Since I am racing this weekend and many weekends to come and I don’t cook much or eat healthy, my Friday Five topic is: Five Reasons to Race A Lot.

Here ‘s why I run so many races:

1. Cool Swag

Sometimes, it’s just a shirt but lots of times, it is a bag, water bottle, food samples, key chain, and other running-related goodies.

2. Free Food

I love to eat especially to replenish the calories burned during running.

Sean's Run with Mary

3. Gets you out there during the week.

When it is cold, windy and just plain nasty and I don’t feel like running, if I have a race scheduled for the weekend, I will make myself get out there and run. I know if I don’t run during the week, then my finish time will suffer, I may get injured and/or the race will be unpleasant. It takes a long time to get in shape and such a short time to feel out of shape.

4. Meet new and old running friends.

Many of my running friends, I have met at races. It is so fun to see a familiar face at a race and chat…about running, of course.

5. Replaces Speed Workouts.

I am the first to admit it. I know that I should, but I don’t do speed drills, tempos, intervals, hill repeats, strides, etc. So for me, I guess my workout happens during a race. I’ll do those hills, run sprints and then, if I am scheduled for a long run, I’l continue my miles after the race at a slower pace.

hf10kc

Happy Running! Do you run a lot of races? If so, why?

March 10, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: The Next One with be the Hardest

Celebrate Life Half Marathon

Yes, it will be hilly.

Take a look:

But that’s not why it will be hard.

I will be running it for a close friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer…for the third time (2nd in 2 years.) She has recently had a mastectomy and should be fine but it is still scary.

A whole busload of runners from my area are going down for the race. They are all probably racing because they know someone who has had cancer.

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So the race should be fun. But it will also be sad.

Mile 11 will be lined with signs. I did buy one for my friend.

Even my friends Mary Pat and Judy will be on the bus. They are running the relay together.

Mary is the the blonde on the left and Judy is wearing the pink hat

Training

I feel like I just ran a half marathon.

Sarasota Music HM on Feb.7

Wait a minute. I just did 5 weeks ago.

After that, I did all my long runs – 10, 12, 12, 10 miles.

So I must be ready? Right?

Expectations

None. I have not run on any real hills. I do not want to get injured so I will take it easy. I hope to enjoy the race.

Scenic course
Free photos
Post Race Lunch
Race donates 100% of the proceeds to cancer patients in treatment
Friends at the race
Best race swag:

What’s not to enjoy?

The Outfit

Still deciding due to the weather. But hopefully, it won’t rain and will be warm enough:

psyched to wear my Skirt Sports psyched print skirt

Next up?

I have a lot of shorter races lined up for the spring and summer.

But that doesn’t mean that I won’t be signing up for any half marathons.

The Vermont City Marathon Relay on May 29 is a definite…

with AJH and running leg #2 this year

I also signed up for this one at an expo (because it was cheap):

April 24

And there is a blogger meet up in the works…Panama City Half Marathon in December????

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

Happy Running! What race are you training for? What are you thinking about this Thursday?

March 9, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Gracious

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.

Today’s word is GRACIOUS.

The dictionary defines gracious as; “being pleasantly kind, benevolent and courteous.”

How do we become a “gracious” runner?

Help other runners even it means that you may run slower, re-arrange your running calendar or and run fewer miles than planned.

I volunteered my time twice in the STEM running program. Yes, I had to run much slower. Yes, I had to drive in rush hour traffic to get to the running location. Yes, I had to skip my usual running distance. But it was worth it to see the look on a runner’s face when she completed her FIRST 5k.

had my slowest 5k time but who cares?

I also participated in the GOTR program and plan to again. It is so important to make a difference in a young girl’s life.

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Thank the volunteers at a race. There wouldn’t be a race without them. You wouldn’t have water. You wouldn’t have packet pick up. You would not know where to turn on the course. They are often out there for hours in the rain, cold, heat, etc. in order to make the race that you are running in a successful one.

Be modest about your racing successes.

Be proud, of course but keep it under check when around a slower runner than yourself or one who runs shorter races. Don’t brag!

Be mindful of other runners.

That means if you are walking, let runners go by. Don’t block the way if you are pushing a stroller uphill. If you are running with a dog, make sure that the dog is leashed.

And lastly:

Happy Running! Any other ways that you can be a “gracious” runner?

March 8, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: The Best Thing(s) About Running …

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

This week’s topic is The Best Thing About Running is…

I certainly could not just limit it to ONE thing!!

So in no particular order, here are the BEST things about running for me:

New friends I have made

deenkastor

Guilt-free carb-loading (before & after a run or race)

Best way to end a bad day (or start off a tough day)

Excuse to shop – buy new running clothes, shoes, gear, etc.

shoe

Setting your own goals (run your “own” race)

How you feel when crossing the finish line in a race

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Feeling healthy, active & alive

mar

Sense of pride & accomplishment (I’m 62 and running half marathons!!)

1st

Being alone and getting lost in one’s own thoughts

The bling 🙂

Happy Running! What do you like BEST about running?

March 4, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: The Long Run

Since tomorrow I am finishing up my training for my next half marathon, my “fitness” topic for this Friday is appropriately Five Ways to Survive the Long Run.

Here are the things that have gotten me through the last few weekends:

Find a Scenic Route

It’s so much more enjoyable if you run some place with great views. I personally wished I lived along the ocean but I don’t. So I either run along the river or some place with trees or bridges.

on the Delmar Rail Trail

2. Plan Ahead.

You need to decide when based on your schedule and more importantly the weather forecast, you are going to do your long run. Then the night before, I don’t plan to go out drinking with friends, stay up too late or skip dinner.

This was not the night before a long run.

3. Do it with a Friend.

The miles and time also go faster when you run with someone else, even if it is just for a few miles. My friend, Judy, is often on a different training schedule. So I may start my run first and then meet her for the last few miles or vice versa.

Dec - running with a new friend

4. Run for Distance not Time.

When I am running longer distances, I try to focus on how far I am running and not how fast. I find that when I focus on time, it makes the run seem longer than it really is. Plus, I am checking my watch or phone instead of enjoying the run.

Winter_4-145

5. Reward yourself when you’re done.

After the accomplishment of a long run, I like to treat myself. In fact, it is a motivator and I look forward to it the whole time that I am out there. In the warmer temps, it is often ice cream. In the winter, a Starbucks mocha latte.

ice_cream_cone_from_stewarts

Happy Running! Any other tips for surviving the long run?

March 2, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Serendipitous

aftermotherday08

This week’s Word is SERENDIPITOUS.

Serendipitous is an adjective that means “Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.”

What a perfect word to describe my running start.

One day after a tennis match, my friend asked me and my partner if we wanted to try running. She ran and suggested that three of us enroll in No Boundaries, a FleetFeet program for beginning runners and learn to run.

Once a week, we ran together with the No Boundaries runners and coaches and afterward we would go to Chili’s for quesadillas and margaritas.

And so it began at age 55.

Since then, I’ve run over 180 races (I’ve lost count) including 17 half marathons.

Thanks Mary Pat and Pat for getting me started on this wonderful journey.

Serendipitous also describes many of my running connections and friendships.

I always read other running blogs. One day, a local blogger (The Happy Runner) asked me to help her start a group for new runners (Strong Running Mamas) with the goal of having them run a 5k race. This group has grown immensely and now includes runners of all ages and levels. I bump into someone from that group at almost every race. They are so supportive.

Thanks Felice for starting this group.

Mary, serendipitously asked me to take her picture at a race in 2010. We have been friends ever since…through all our injuries and even though she has recently moved to California.

Thanks Mary for racing with me so so many times. I miss you!

At a recent race, I bumped into someone I worked with for many many years. I didn’t even recognize her and I was shocked that she was a runner. (Yes, physically she had changed A LOT.) At that serendipitous meeting, she bragged about training groups – Turkey Trot & Freihofer’s race challenges. In fact, she talked me into signing up for one.

Since then, I have signed up for three more training groups. I enjoy them and have met many new runners and maybe have even gotten faster (at least more confident.)