December 31, 2015 by Darlene

TOLT & Goals for 2015, An Update Report

GOALS
FOR

So how did I do on my 15 goals for this year??

1. Do not get injured.

No major injuries just some nagging foot issues early in the year.

ouchy!

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.

Yes, I ran mostly 3 times a week after work (only occasionally before) and once longer on the weekends.

before work in the warmer weather

at the Crossings

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.

I played tennis once a week indoors (except in the summer when I played outside and it seem to rain often on Tuesdays.) I didn’t do much yoga until recently when I went a class 2x in November and 2x in December

4. Do some upper body exercises.

I’ve done planks every now and then. Not often enough. I rarely went to the gym.

went a few times in July

5. Finish all of my races under 10 minutes per mile (except half marathons)
Yes, I finished almost all of my shorter races under 10m/m except for a 15k, a 10 miler and one 5k.

Cherry Blossom 5k – 8:59
Bacon Hill 5K – 9:00
Apple Run 5k – 9:01
Winter Wonderland 5k – 9:05
Delmar Dash 5m – 9:09
Dash to the Finish 5k – 9:10
Malta 5k – 9:11
Team Sarcoma 5k – 9:12
Silks n Satins 5k – 9:13
Shamrock Shuffle 5m – 9:17
Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 9:21
Spring Run Off 10k – 9:22
Polar Cap 4m – 9:24
Albany Law Day 5k – 9:25
Mastodon Challenge 5k – 9:25
Freihofer Run for Women 5k – 9:27
Betar Byway 5k – 9:28
ARC Challenge 5k – 9:28
Care 4 Kids 5k – 9:28
Betar Byway 5k – 9:28
Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K – 9:32
Troy Turkey Trot 10K – 9:34
Albany Last Run 5k – 9:37
Helper’s Fund 10K – 9:40
Stockade-athon 15K – 9:44
Trout 10K – 9:45
Mother’s Day 5K – 9:45
HMRRC Winter Series #3 10K – 9:48
West Palm HM – 9:52
Turkey Trot 5k – 10:08
HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K – 10:08
HMRRC Winter Series #5 – 10m – 10:16
Hangover Half – 10:29
Asbury Park HM – 10:37
RNR Brooklyn HM – 11:03
VCM Relay – 11:05
Walkway HM – 11:08
EAU Palm Beach HM – 11:21

6. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.

Yes. I ran 38 races this year, the most since I started running

January – 4

February – 2
March – 3
April – 3
May – 6

June – 2
July -2
August – 3
September – 2
October – 4
November – 4
December – 3

: 2015

: Fishy Frolic 10K

: 2nd

: Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

: Stockeade-athon 15K

: Troy Turkey Trot 10K

7. Run a race in another state.

Yes. I ran in Florida twice, (almost California), New Jersey and Vermont.

West Palm Beach Half in FL

Asbury Park Half in NJ

VCM Relay in VT

EAU Palm Beach Half in Fla.

8. Run in NYC.
Yes!! And I crossed the NYC Marathon finish line.

Dash to the Finish 5K

9. Get several Age Group awards.

Yes. I won 15 AG awards – one of the perks of being OLD. My favorite bling was the bridge & the pie.

: West Palm – Jan 2015

: 2015

: 3rd

: 1st

: 2015 – 27:56

: 1st

: 3rd

: 3rd

: 3rd

: 2nd

: 1st

: 2nd

: 2015 – 59:19

10. PR in a half marathon.

Yes. This was the hardest and the most rewarding!!!!

West Palm Beach Half – 2:09:40

11. PR at another distance.

Yes. I had my fastest times for 4 mile, 5 mile and 15K.

Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 37:27

Delmar Dash 5m – 45:26

Stockadeathon 15k – 1:31:35

12. Join a running group or two.

Yes. I participated in the Freihofer Training Challenge and the Troy Turkey Trot Challenge. I enjoyed training with the other runners in both.

13. Volunteer.

Yes. I was a course marshall at the frigid HMRRC Winter Series Marathon. I was a GOTR running buddy in the spring & I coached a runner in the STEM program in the fall. Running has given me so much. It is important to give back.

14. Run over 900 miles.

Yes! This year I ran 969 miles – the most I’ve ever run. Maybe next year, it’ll be 1000??

2015

15. Continue to blog almost everyday.

Yes. I enjoy sharing my running adventures and love my virtual running friends.

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

Happy Running! Did you set goals for this year? If so, how did you do? What are thinking about today?

December 30, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Resolutions

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 RESOLUTIONS.

According the dictionary, a resolution is a “firm decision to do or not to do something.”

If I did make resolutions, here’s what I would decide to do…

have a more positive attitude (In other words, whine and complain less…)
exercise more (go to the gym, it’s free!)
walk more (less sitting all day at work!)
focus less on pace & finish times and enjoy running more.
do yoga more often (if not classes then videos)
de-clutter my house (so much unnecessary stuff including clothes)
eat more healthy (less sweets, more fruits & veggies)
drink more water

Resolutions are easy to made. The hard part is keeping to them.

Happy Running! Do you make resolutions each year? Tell me one.

December 29, 2015 by Darlene

TOTR: 2015 in Pictures & My Bling

2015 was such a good year that I am still sharing my memories.

I promise this is my last 2015 Running Year Summary post!! This one is photos organized by the month.

January: PR & AG award at the West Palm Half

February: Running with a friend & an AG award at the Polar Cap 4 miler

March: DNS in a 5k but making up for it on the trails of Palm Desert

April: despite foot issues finishing a half marathon on the boardwalk of Asbury Park, NJ

May: met Deena Kastor and in VT, ran my first marathon relay

June: took a running tour of the mile high city (Denver)

July: lots of running, sweating & ice cream sodas

August: running in scenic places like along Lake George & the Schroon River

September: long runs in training for 2 fall half marathons

October: post-race run in Central Park, NYC

November: a busy Thanksgiving Day – a 10k followed by a 5k

December: champagne to celebrate finishing half #16 (my toughest to date)

and soon I’ll be collecting photos of my running in 2016…

I am linking up with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life .

This Tuesday’s topic is BLING.

Here are pics of my favorite medals for the year:

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Happy Running! What is your fondest memory of 2015?

December 25, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Christmas Gifts

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!

This week, the theme is FREE so I am choosing – My FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

I got this card in the mail 5 years ago from a blogger and I am re-posting:

This about sums it up for me. What about you?

2. I got these SkirtSports pants and capris (and I’ve already worn them)

both are from SkirtSports

3. I got a hanger for my race medals (and as with most of my gifts, I ordered them myself so of course, I love them.)

It looked like this on the website. I’ll post a pic when I actually put mine up.

4. Movie Tickets. I love going to the movies especially when I am on break.

this one is on my “to see” list – already saw Suffragette, Star Wars & Brooklyn

5. Time off from work.

This is the best gift – 11 days off – Woo Hoo! – Running at any time of day!!!!

70 degrees on my first day off – the warm temps won’t last

Last year, we ran together during my break. I work and Judy does not so it makes it hard to schedule runs together

Happy Running! What was your favorite gift this year?

December 24, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Holidays, New Running Routes & BitMoji

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

Tonight is Christmas Eve even though weather-wise it feels like spring.

I plan to squeeze in a run today between the rain drops. Tonight we’ll probably spend a quiet evening home (I’m Jewish & my hubby doesn’t care much for the holidays) or maybe I can talk him into dinner out and a movie.

Tomorrow morning, my hubby will open his gifts (I bought my own so no excitement there) and then head to play Santa with my mentee & her sons (I can’t wait to have GRANDKIDS!!)

2014

2013

2012

I’ve been mentoring Amanda for 7 1/2 years but I won’t bore you with ALL my annual Christmas Photos.

After playing Santa, my hubby & I will go to my MIL’s house for dinner. My SIL, BILs and 2 stepsons will be there also. It’ll be an Italian dinner with lasagna and the trimmings (probably cannoli for dessert – maybe I should squeeze in a run in the morning??)

After dinner, I plan to visit my BFF whose daughter is visiting from CA.

I usually participate in a blogger card exchange but this year, I forgot to sign up. So here you go, fellow running bloggers:

Speaking of running, I don’t know about you but I get tired of running along the same streets or same paths.

To get me motivated (especially when the weather isn’t perfect), I need a new route.

Last year, I ran a lot on the unpaved rail trail near where I live.

20110602-RailTrail-Sign

It is unpaved for almost 2 miles so it’s good for an after work 4 miler.

Then this year, they paved the rest of the rail trail going 3.5 miles in the opposite direction.

It is my new favorite place to run and I’ve run on it several times but on Sunday, I was ready for something new.

So I parked my car near where the unpaved trail ended and ran the rest of the unpaved trail.

It is a little narrow in parts.

But has interesting features

and views.

Several bridges (I love bridges.)

At 3.5 miles, I turned around. I think it was the end. I will explore more next time.

I have a new obsession – BitMoji!

Anyone else?

I used this one last Friday.

It’s still a work in progress. I’m not sure it even looks like me. But it’s a fun stress reliever.

Happy Running! What are your holiday plans? Do you vary your running routes often?

December 23, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word, Gift Exchanges & Giveaway Winner

This week’s Word is JOY.

I am healthy enough to do the things I want.

run 13.1 miles!

play tennis

I have a lot of friends whom I care about and who support me.

some of my tennis friends

1622795_10153396642979428_7169798003027303431_n

BFF for over 40 years

teaching friend for over 30 years

I am married to a guy whom I love.

My kitties are awesome.

this is my oldest, most lovable & fave – Jerry

I have a job so I can pay my bills (& support my running habit LOL)

my desk at work – I work in IT at a law school and support the faculty, students & staff

However, none of what brings JOY are possessions or things that you can buy (except for a PR or new running shoes. Only kidding!)

and most importantly…

I try to and I hope that I do give joy to others:

spending time with my mentee Amanda and her sons

helping Kelly run her first 5K (STEM program)

11162046_359881630887162_3407774747465282734_o

being a running buddy for the GOTR program

running for my 11 year old running buddy JA (from the IRUN4 program) – I send him my race shirts and medals

Speaking of giving JOY to others, I love giving gifts. I don’t have a big family and we’ve stopped exchanging gifts among friends so I try to participate in a few gift exchanges.

I did a Chinese grab bag at work and I ‘m doing one with all my tennis friends.

I got this at work – the tennis party isn’t until 12/27

I also participated in two blogger Secret Santas.

It was so cool to meet someone new (that is through a new blog) and receive great gifts.

From Brittney @ Corral B, I got:

my favorite socks & my favorite race fuel

I bought gifts for Nikki @ Will Run for Pizza but I forgot to take a pic (but they were similar to Kate’s but without the stocking and ShotBloks instead of Stinger waffles

For the SkirtSports Ambassador Captain Stocking Exchange, I got paired with Kate @ My Alpine Adventures:

1933883_10102542796302813_1177262613555453134_n

this is what I bought for Kate

And I received these gifts from Helen @H-Monkey Runs:

Now I have 4 new blogger friends 🙂

Finally, congrats to my MealEnders Giveaway winner!

Lindsey McRoberts!!

Happy Running! What brings you JOY? Do you do gift exchanges?

December 22, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Highlights of the Year

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Highlights of your Running Year

Here are a few of mine:

Racing in NYC

This was on my bucket list for years and I finally got to do it.

I ran the Dash to the Finish 5k and crossed the NYC Marathon finish line. I loved this race!!

PRing in a Half Marathon

This was totally unexpected but it turned out to be such a perfect race…great weather, scenic course….

As a bonus, I came in first in my age group.

Meeting Frank Shorter

I met him at bib pick up for the Stockadeathon 15K.

And he signed my bib for luck.

15K PR

Frank Shorter did bring me luck.

A 2 minute PR at the Stockadeathon in November.

Other PRs

I had 4 mile PR at the Runnin’ of the Green in March.

and a 5 mile PR at the Delmar Dash, also in March.

It’s always exciting at my age to have a fast race.

Running a Trail in Palm Desert, CA.

I never expected to enjoy it so much. My friend, Mary (who lives there) & I did it twice.

I hope to be able to visit her again someday.

Running Over the Walkway Bridge

This was part of an inaugural half marathon in Poughkeepsie, NY. The bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world.

I even won an age group award, though my finish time wasn’t exceptional.

Running the VCM Relay with AJH

This is another race that I’ve wanted to do but I don’t run marathons. I was excited when AJH applied and we got into the lottery for the relay.

we met Deena Kastor at the expo

The course is great and it is much more enjoyable to do a race with a friend.

Taking a Running Tour of Denver, CO

I was at a conference and had some free time, so why not?

It was so much fun. I can’t wait to do another one.

Mentoring Other Runners

I was a Running Buddy in the Girls on the Run program in the spring.

And for the second time this fall, I participated in the STEM program.

I was paired with a 5th grader in the first one and in the 2nd, a 29 year-old unwed mom who was a victim of domestic violence. It was so rewarding to share my love of running with someone else and hopefully positively influence them.

Being part of a Running Group

Although I’ve run the Freihofer’s Run For Women every year since 2008, this was my first year participating in their Training Challenge.

11212625_591732004263023_991804346722013456_o

one of the group runs where we ran with the mayor

For the 2nd year in a row, I joined the Troy Turkey Trot Training Challenge.

I can’t say for a fact that it improved my running but running with a group is certainly more fun and I’ve met a lot of great people through these 2 groups.

I could go on and on. I had a great running year.

Any year where you can run for 12 months (38 races) with NO INJURIES is a great year.

Happy Running! What was the highlight of your running year?

December 16, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word & EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon Post Race Report

I rushed to my hotel to take a shower and tried to rid those negative half marathon thoughts out of my head (and have a stress-free rest of the vacation.)

You know the ones.

What could I have done differently?

Did I walk too much the day before?
Maybe I should eaten dinner the night before?
Was it really the weather or was it me?
What would have happened if I pushed myself harder?
Is my 2:09 finish a one time thing?

Anyway, my friend G picked me up at the hotel and I was so happy to see her. Normally she is in Fla from January to April but this year, she arrived early because her mother died.

We drove to her house in Jupiter, dropped off my luggage and quickly headed out before the predicted rain.

We decided to visit the Jupiter Lighthouse. I LOVE lighthouses (this is my 3rd Fla lighthouse climb) and G & her hubby had never been.

still cloudy but very warm

We took the required tour. It was interesting.

just had to take a pic.

Then we climbed the stairs to the top. Yes, 140 steps after running 13.1 miles. (Oddly, my legs didn’t even feel like I ran at all .)

we made it – yes, the worst hair pic ever – it was the wind. I swear!

And it was worth it for the view.

After the tour, we had lunch (I was starving!) at a restaurant on the water opposite the lighthouse.

yummy!! shrimp po boys & shrimp flatbreads

We drove around for a while but then it started to rain so we headed back. We spent the evening inside chatting & eating dinner with one of G’s old friends. (I met her on my last visit and we got along great.)

After raining all night, it was not raining when I got up the next morning. I took advantage and went out to see if my legs still worked. They did and I did a slow run/walk around G’s community.

even made some new friends

When I got back, we had breakfast and headed out to the beach. Not to sit in the sun. It was cloudy and windy but still awesome.

We walked for quite a while. There is nothing better than warm salted water for a runner’s feet.

aaaahhhh!

Next up, we decided to go to Loggerhead Marinelife Center which they keep rescued turtles. We saw 9. Cool but sad that these turtles are here because they are injured or sick.

It wasn’t raining yet but it was windy so we drove to Blowing Rocks Preserve. The water was blowing but it wasn’t high tide enough to see the maximum effect. Still nice.

There are also some nice trails here.

Two more stops and then it would be time to have a late lunch and head to the airport.

We stopped at a thrift shop. Not that I needed anything but I bought 2 Nike tennis skirts – $3 each. Score. Then on to Starbucks for a drink & souvenir.

Every time I go to Florida, I forget to buy a mug. Now I have one to add to NY, Moscow & California. ( I also forgot to buy NJ, PA, VT & CO – I’ll just have to go back!)

So maybe my race didn’t go as planned. And the weather wasn’t ideal. Still, I’d call this trip a success.

my best souvenir

Since it is Wednesday, I’m linking up with Deb from Deb Runs.

This week’s Word is STRESSFUL.

Unfortunately, race-cations are great but they can be stressful.

There’s a lot that could go wrong:

travel arrangements
accommodations
fueling
race logistics
weather conditions
the race itself
aches & pains (or injuries)
recovery

A lot of this, you can’t control and you have to accept that.

For the most part, things went well (except for my performance & the weather) for my past half marathon.

Here are some suggestions for minimizing this stress:

Be prepared for last minute changes in weather.

Bring a shirt for a warmer forecast and one for a cooler one. Bring a rain poncho & an umbrella. Of course, bring throw away clothes.

Bring your race morning breakfast.

I never count on that a friend or hotel will have what I usually eat. I bring packets of oatmeal and tea. (Don’t forget a cup, bowl & spoon.)

Print important information for packet pickup & the race start.

I have everything on my iPhone but you never know…when it won’t work or the battery dies.

If you are flying, pack race essentials in your carry-on.

What if your luggage gets lost….

Plan to arrive at least 2 days before the race.

Of course, you’ll have time to relax. And if you car breaks down or your flight is cancelled, you won’t miss your race. (Yes, it happened to me last March and June.) Plus you can do some sightseeing. Visiting a new place is one of the perks of a destination race!!

Do fun things that are NOT running-related.

Before the race, it’ll keep you busy and take your mind off of worrying about everything that could go wrong. And after the race, if the race didn’t go well, it’ll lift your spirits.

Happy Running! Is running stressful? How do you relieve the stress?

December 15, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: The Agony of DNF, DNS

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is the Agony of DNF, DNS

I am been lucky. I have never had a DNF.

I have finished a race with a stress fracture, a broken foot and bloody knees.

But I have had several cases of DNS.

Travel-Related

This past March, my flight was cancelled and I missed a 5K race in Palm Springs, CA.

I was angry and disappointed. But things were out of my control. I felt bad for my friend Mary but it turned out that she wasn’t feeling well anyway and didn’t run the race.

I didn’t get to race but I did get to run with Mary several times during my trip.

This past June, my flight was cancelled on my way back from Colorado. So I missed a 10 mile race. The race is one of my favorites and I was bummed.

I ran the next day in a scenic area instead. It helped mentally (may be a little).

Injury-Related

These are the worst.

Luckily I didn’t miss any big races while I had a strained achilles, a broken ankle, a stress fracture or a broken foot.

But I did DNS at just a few races that I signed up for early.

Not running because of an injury bothered me a lot more than missing a race.

Weather-Related

I think I skipped one or two 5k races where it was pouring. I’m a weather whimp when it comes to rain.

Happy Running! Have you has any DNS or DNF races?

December 11, 2015 by Darlene

Five Five: Holiday Wish List

This week’s theme is Holiday Wish List

Here are the top FIVE on my list:

a GPS Watch

I have a Garmin 205 which I love but it is 5 years old. (Someone at my last race commented: “I’ve never seen one that big!!”)

2. a Medal Rack

I have a DIY one. I hang my bibs, awards and medals. I have so many age group awards that I have most of them in a basket. I’d like to hang my half marathon medals separately. (Update: my DIY hanger broke 😦 )

3. Running Shoes

Mizuno Wave Rider 19s – aren’t they pretty?

You can never have too many pairs. I am hard on my shoes and my Hokas are almost worn out. I do have quite a few pairs of Mizunos but not in this pretty color.

4. Winter Gloves