November 20, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Cool Weather Drinks

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’s theme is Favorite Cool Weather Drinks

Starbucks Lattes

I prefer decaf and the holiday ones like Chestnut Praline, Eggnog, Peppermint Mocha. I know they cost a lot but I’m worth it (besides the more I buy, the more stars I get…)

Of course, they also have a lot of calories but I can ask for no whip, sugar-free syrup, soy or coconut milk, etc.

Do calories count if you run more than 10 miles??

2. Hot Cocoas

I don’t drink them a lot but they do taste good after a cold weather race. I like to add coffee to make them more mocha tasting.

3. Herbal Teas

I have recently become a big tea drinker. I love chai and flavored herbal teas….especially in the evening in front of the fire.

I do make it sometimes with tea bags but I prefer tea made from leaves.

4. Mulled Cider

This drink makes it seem like the holidays. So yummy!

5. Eggnog

I just love eggnog! I could drink it by the quart. But I try to drink it sparingly. There are low cal ones but they’re just not the same.

any recommendations?

Happy Running! What’s your favorite cold weather drink?

November 19, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Races, Runs, Thanksgiving, etc.

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

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Two More Long Runs before my next half marathon (on Dec 6.)

It seems like I was just getting ready for run my last one (Oct 10) and now, my next one is almost here. How did that happen?

So this weekend, my run will be 12 miles! My longest distance before the race.

Although I’ve finished 15 half marathons, I still worry about completing the distance. I also struggle when I run alone. So I’m not looking forward to it.

Then next weekend, there’s just 8 miles.

Two More Races before my next half marathon

first annual – 11-21-15

I have a 5k this weekend. Normally, I would pass on this one because of the long run mentioned above. But I have been involved in this organization so I want to support them. The girl that I am training and all the others in the STEM program) are running their 1st 5k. Some of my co-workers are running their first 5k too.

Yup, I gotta do this race.

Do I race it?

Or swallow my pride and help the others finish?

I am looking forward to this 10k on Thanksgiving. Since I started running, I’ve almost always (except 2008 & 2012) run a race on Thanksgiving morning. It’s the best part of the holiday (and I love food!!)

I used to run the local 5ks but last year I joined a training group for the 10k. I enjoyed it so I joined the same group this year. I PRed at last year’s race but I don’t think I’ve been as dedicated to my training so we will see what happens.

yes, it snowed last year. Hopefully not this year.

I am also toying with running the 5k after the 10k race. The 10K is at 8 am and the 5k at 10 am. The 5k is the big race – thousands run it. I have friends running the 5k so it might be fun to run this one just for fun. I am already there and dressed to run.

What do you think?

Then there’s Thanksgiving...

I LOVE Thanksgiving food…

What I miss most is cooking my favorite recipes….squash leek soup, stuffed turkey, sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce and homemade pumpkin pie.

yum!!

double yum

My husband’s family is complicated. Mine is non-existent. So this year, we’re on a wait and see what my MIL is planning. We may just go to a restaurant and then visit her or friends for dessert after.

What are you planning? Are you running a Turkey Trot? Are you cooking?

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today? Please Share.

November 18, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Cherish

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 CHERISH.

Of course, when I saw the word, this is all I could think of:

But seriously, this is an important word, especially in light of what has recently happened in Paris.

I’m not very creative so I’ll let these posters speak for themselves:

including pets

my hubby

with one of my 4 kitties

we always take a picture outside this restaurant each year

Some good friends

This sums it up:

Happy Running! What do you cherish?

November 13, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Ways to stay healthy during the holidays

This week’s theme is WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

1. Bring healthy snacks to work. If you are hungry, you will be tempted to eat something unhealthy. This is what I always have in my lunch bag everyday.

2. Walk whenever you can. That means taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Eat a quick lunch and go for a walk. Take a walk after dinner.

3. Sign up for a race. If you do, you will be motivated to get out and run. Running burns calories, right?

4. Do some kind of cross-training activity that you enjoy– work out, do yoga, pilates, zumba, play tennis or whatever you can to stay active.

5.Get on the scale. I rarely get on the scale but I try to weigh myself more frequently during the holidays. Nothing like several lbs gained to make me lose my appetite.

Will I cheat? Of course but I try to make them worthwhile cheats on special occasions. (I have a weakness for desserts…)

holidayparty2013 003

christmas cookie exchange at work

Happy Running! How do you stay healthy during the holidays?

November 12, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday; Backache, Yoga, Racecations and More…

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

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

My Achy Back

My lower back aches frequently. Especially when sitting a long time (in cars, buses, movie seats, etc.) I sit all day at my job but I can get up and move around.

The only time, it hurt when I’ve run is during my last half marathon and it hurt during the last 4 miles…so much that I thought about DNFing.

It felt ok during my 15K on Sunday but then it started aching at night.

I wondered whether or not I was injured and should I scale back my running?

I didn’t. I ran on Monday and then again yesterday. And I didn’t feel any worse … it still felt off and achy.

Yoga

I actually love yoga. I suck at it. I have zero flexibility but I feel good after I take a yoga class.

my best pose – this home thing last 2 days, I think

Yes, I know you don’t have to pay money to do yoga but I have zero motivation to do things at home.

that’s me and Lisa (up front)

I used to go to a class every Wednesday. I loved my instructor Lisa and I am picky about yoga teachers. I need someone who understands that everyone is not at the same level and offers different ways of doing each move.

Well, Lisa got Lyme disease and then she got a job somewhere else. So I stopped going.

A year ago, I went again and I liked Maria, the new instructor but I just couldn’t get myself to go.

Yesterday, I had the day off. I had run, done all my errands. I had no excuses… so I went to yoga class. (I even bought a 5 card pass to motivate myself to go back.)

When Maria started the class, she announced that the focus of the class was the LOWER BACK and to strengthen those muscles.

Whoa! Does she have ESP or what?

And believe it or not, last night my back felt GREAT! That achy feeling was gone. Amazing!

So I am not injured!!! 🙂

Day Off

We have had a great Fall. Lots of warm weather and sunshine. Unfortunately, I am lazy about about getting up early and I work so I have had to run after work …in the dark.

I was excited to have had a day off to run during the day.

But it was cloudy and drizzly all day.

So dreary, it felt like evening. DARN!

Racecation

With THREE weeks until my racecation, I finally started planning. Here’s how things stand:

Arrive Friday in West Palm, take shuttle to expo and pick up bib.
My friend F. will meet me there and we’ll drive back to her place in Delray
Spend Friday & Saturday in Delray
Meet my friend M. for dinner Saturday and she’ll drive me to my hotel in West Palm
Half Marathon Sunday!!!! 6:30 am.
My friend G. will meet me at the race or hotel and we’ll drive to her place in Jupiter
Sunday & Monday in Jupiter
G. will drive me to the airport in West Palm on Monday

I’m hoping for an early snowstorm so I will be stranded in Florida for an extra day…much too short a vacation!!

Half Marathon

Speaking of my next half, I haven’t figured out a training schedule yet. But I think it maybe too late now.

I ran 13.1 miles on October 10 so I guess I thought that would hold me over until Dec. 6. But all of a sudden it’s almost taper time and I don’t have a plan.

I did run 9.4 miles on Sunday. What’s next?

The usual 2-3 easy runs on weekdays.

Nov 14 – 11 miles
Nov 21 – 5k race + 9 miles
Nov 28 – 8 miles (or 5k race + 5 miles)

So now I have a plan.

Races

This memory from 5 years ago popped up on my FB page.

I ran a 5K race on Veteran’s Day. It was my FIRST age group award.

My friend Holly tried to talk me into running a 5K yesterday. I said “Maybe.”

Thank God when I woke up, it was raining and I changed my mind.

Of course, then I looked at the results and I would have won an AG award.

Does anyone else do that? Check the AG awards on races that you didn’t run to see if you would have won??

That Red Cup

I love Starbucks. Does anyone care that the cup isn’t Christmasy enough?

I did like the fall one better …

but who cares. Really?

There’s isn’t a Chanukah cup, is there?

this was a hoax in 2008

Age?

I feel a little narcissistic with yesterday’s post. I didn’t expect readers to compliment me on how I didn’t look my age. But thanks. Much appreciated.

The goal was to show younger runners that age is just a number and it shouldn’t define what you are able to do.

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

November 10, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Post Race Celebrations

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 Post Race Celebrations

I really haven’t run any BIG BIG races so I haven’t participated in the infamous post race events.

But one of the important things that I consider when I review a race is its post-race food.

We pay enough to race. There should be a decent selection of post race refreshments.

Here’s what I like to see after a race:

Chocolate Milk

(Walkway Half)

Pizza

Soup in the winter

HMRRC Winter Series

Ice cream in the summer

(Schenectady ARC Challenge)

(Sean’s Run)

Carbs (bagels & home made baked goods)

Bacon Hill Bonanza)

(Helper’s Fund 5k/10k)

Fruit

chocolate fountain with pretzels and fruit for dipping

preferably with a chocolate fountain (Mother’s Day bRUNch)

My most recent post-race nourishment:

just perfect… there were also bagels, yogurt, fruit, etc. (Stockadeathon)

One of favorites is this barbecue:

(Camp Chingachgook Challenge)

However if the post-race food is lacking, I just go out with a friend…

After all, I have put back those calories that I burned!!

Happy Running! Are post-race refreshments important to you?

November 7, 2015 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date November

Today I am joining up with Coco, Deborah, and Lynda for their ultimate coffee date for the second time.

I do LOVE coffee especially Starbucks but I was having trouble sleeping so I gave up caffeine and now I drink herbal tea for breakfast and decaf coffee if I have anything later in the day. (Not sure if I sleep any better but it was VERY tough giving up that coffee & I have a lot of teas to use up.)

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I am having a hard time remembering how to dress for fall weather. Summer is so easy…a tank and a skirt. Now that it’s getting chilly out, what do I wear???

It hasn’t helped that one day it is 30 degrees and the next day it is 70 degrees!!

70 degrees?!

I vow no matter how cold it is to keep wearing skirts …. (until Thanksgiving??)

30 degrees!

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m almost over pumpkin….

For the last month, I’ve been eating anything and everything pumpkin!

I’m ready for cranberry!!

and new Starbucks flavors…

this year they have chestnut praline!! yum!

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I may have a NYC obsession.

I went to NYC 3 times in October and I’m going again next Sunday.

To be fair, I’m going this time with my hubby and he never gets to go and of course, I don’t mind.

Broadway instead of running in Central Park. I have to compromise for the sake of the marriage LOL.

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m worried that I am not worried about my half marathon in one month…

eau palm beach

In fact for the next Ultimate Coffee Date, I will be in Florida.

I have my flight and I booked a very cheap hotel for the night before the race (Sat).

Hotel Biba – heard of it anyone?

I don’t know where I am staying Friday or Sunday nights (although I do have friends in the area.) I am usually so Type A about these things.

As for the race, it does look scenic. It’s not the same course as the one I ran in January (the course runs north rather than south) and according to the map, it is 13.4 miles.

I’m not aiming for a PR. I would like to have a pain-free race and hopefully a faster time than my last 4 half marathons. I’m also hoping for warm weather but not too warm (and NO RAIN!)

half marathon #16 and #7 for 2015

Happy Running! Hope you enjoyed your morning coffee or tea!

November 6, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Race Signs

This week’s theme is FAVORITE RACE SIGNS

Just check these out from the NYC Marathon:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-20-best-signs-from-the-2015-nyc-marathon

Here are 5 that I like:

Happy Running! What is your favorite race sign?

November 5, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Speedwork, Fall & Another Race

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

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Can I really get faster?

I’ll be honest, the only time, I sprint is if I am running through the finish line …. until this past Monday.

Last year, I joined the Turkey Trot Training group and the Freihofer’s Training group. I ran with the group on Mondays. But I never really did the drills correctly. I ran with my friends and we chatted. Most of the time, I was in the midst of training for a long race so speed work was not a good idea the day after a long run or the day after a half marathon. And when there is a large group of people, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. I do, however, think that running up the hills made me stronger last fall and even faster.

This fall, we just switched locations and there are no hills. And on Monday, only 3 people showed up from my group. Oh no!!

Our coach, Patrick’s plan was for a warm up and then 4 minutes fast, 2 minute jog, repeated 4 times followed by a cool down (4 miles total)

There was no room to hide. But I tried.

The first 4 minutes, I ran kinda fast and was in the middle of the 3 runners. Patrick was running with the fastest runner.

The 2nd 4 minutes, I was slowing down and Patrick noticed. Oh shit!

He lectured me and told that I wasn’t even breathing hard and that I could do better. Of course, I complained that I was old & tired but he was hearing nothing of it. We compromised and I said I would sprint for the last minute of the 4 minutes. And I did. I ran so fast that I thought I would puke (and 1 minute can sometimes seem like forever.)

Well, Patrick was impressed but that meant that he expected me to do it again. And I did and I didn’t die.

He said that I was strong and could get faster if I put in the effort.

Probably true.

Would I do this if I were running alone? Probably not!

Will I run like this when the other runners show up next week? We’ll see.

Am I the only one who doesn’t do speed drills & just runs for fun??? (I guess that’s why coaches are important.)

Fall has been awesome.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE summer!! But they said that because we had such as dry summer, the fall foliage would be disappointing.

They were wrong.

I’m not complaining but it’s been warm enough to wear skirts to run!!

This is how I dressed today…

72 degrees on November 5th.

The thing I don’t like is that now it gets dark so early!!! I have to find new places to run (with lights.)

Guess what? I have a race this weekend. No surprise. It’s a 15k so it even fits right in with my half marathon training.

This is my fourth time running this 15k race. It is the 40th anniversary of one of the oldest 15ks in the country and Frank Shorter will be there running it. So I am pretty excited. (It’s not NYC but cool for upstate NYS.)

My first time running this race was in 2011. I was injured in 2012 and didn’t run it. I ran it in 2013 and was disappointed with my finish time.

my fake happy face

Last year, they changed the course. It started and ended in downtown Schenectady rather than in Central Park.

Well, I loved the new course and finished the race with a new PR!!

However, this year, I have been either training for my half marathon in October or the upcoming one in December. My long runs have been slooooow! I don’t even feel ready to run 9.3 hilly miles but I need to be since I’ll be running 13.1 in 3 weeks!!!!

So I do not expect a PR but I just want a decent long run (and not get INJURED!!)

Race Goals:

A: Finish under 1:35 (my PR is 133:23)
B: All miles between 9 and 11 minutes.
C: Finish happy and healthy.

Happy Running! What are thinking about today?

November 4, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Complacent

This week’s Word is COMPLACENT

What does “Complacent” mean?

…being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better

Besides people in my life (and yes we can become complacent with relationships too), there are are few important areas where I could become complacent.

Career:

As a teacher and district technology director, complacent was never in my vocabulary. I used to spend endless hours on my lesson plans to make sure that my students were successful. I think I gave them 150%. Thanks to FB, I can keep in touch with some of my favorite students (as the 2 below that I visited in CA.)

In my 2nd career, I wrote grants, gave workshops, etc trying to help administrators and teachers integrate technology in to their teaching. It was exhausting but I loved it.

I definitely feel more complacent in job #3. Of course, I want to improve things but I am less in control of the outcomes and as I approach retirement (if I ever can afford to retire), I want less stress in my life.

Health-related activities:

My first health-related obsession was tennis. I used to play almost everyday. I took lessons and played on many teams. Unfortunately my natural talent was less than my desire to be great. I improved from 2.5 to 3.0 and have remained at that level.

Since I became serious about running, I quit all my tennis teams and just play once a week (except for during my annual tennis vacation in May.) I play for fun so I say but of course, I want to win.

I may be complacent about speed drills, hill repeats, intervals, etc but I do want to improve. I want to be a faster runner.

I run 3-4 times every week even in hot and freezing conditions. I sign up for races – LOTS of them in hopes of getting better.

I never run a race without my Garmin and check my split paces after each race.

Because I’m old, I do win a lot of age group awards. Many runners even think I’m fast. But I know better.

So I may not PR anymore but I will TRY my best to do so.

I do hate to admit it but I am complacent about stretching, strength training, and even eating healthy (I don’t use protein powder, never had a smoothie or an electrolyte drink. I buy frozen veggies rather than fresh, eat frozen waffles & pizza and the list goes on and on.)