August 27, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: The Turtle Races

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

As you may know, I have been whining about how pathetically slow my runs have been.

It’s hard to believe that someone who runs in the 9s and sometimes under 9 minute pace is currently running at a 12-13 min pace.

Well, I am.

They’re only training runs.

So it’s all good.

But I think my ego needs to get some speed back and for me, the only way is to race.

So I signed up for a race – a 10K this Saturday.

August 29, 2015

I was planning to run 10 slow miles but I guess I’ll try to run 6 fastish miles and crawl for 4 more after.

I have never run this race before but I have run on this course (like 2 weeks ago in the picture above) and have even run a 10k here last year.

At the time, it was my 10K PR but since then I have run faster twice.

I finished at 57:03 in the Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving which was my last 10K.

I was in a running group at the time and training for that race so I don’t expect to beat that right now. I’ll be happy with anything near 1 hour.

Training for a half marathon in the summer and keeping up any semblance of speed is tough!!!

Anyone else having the same problems?

Do you ever use a race as a (expensive) speed workout?

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

August 26, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Ambitious

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 AMBITIOUS

Someone who is ambitious is “eagerly desirous of achieving or obtaining success, power, wealth, a specific goal, etc.“

Everyone is ambitious but about different things.

With my career, I have always been ambitious. I started out as a French major/Spanish minor. I got my Masters in Education and taught for 22 years at a private all girls school.

Then in my 40’s, I decided to change careers. I got another Masters in Instructional Technology and completed my coursework for a PhD in the same area.

For 8 years, I was the Director of Technology for a Diocesan School District. I LOVED THAT JOB!!! I got to work with teachers and students and every day was something different.

Unfortunately when 1/2 of the 40 schools closed, I decided that I needed to prepare for retirement and I got a new job. It is the job I have now (at a law school) and I hope to work there until I am 70.

Yes, I said 70. I am not the Suzy homemaker, stay at home type.

However, about earning money…not so ambitious.

I preferred to work at a job that I enjoyed rather than earn a lot of money. So for my first 2 jobs, I had a very low salary and no retirement. As a result, even though I want to work now, I actually have to in order to be able to do the things I want.

As far as running, I am ambitious in so far as I make goals.

I make them for every race and every month and every year.

My goals could be more ambitious like run a marathon or an 8 minute mile but since I strive to be successful, I think I set realistic goals.

My most ambitious one was running a half marathon when the farthest I had raced was a 5k.

Now, my ambition rests at getting out there and running several times a week, no matter what and signing up for races with a few each year being a half marathon. In other words, I will be persistent.

I have no ambitions on running a half marathon in all 50 states (too expensive) but I plan not to repeat any halfs. There are so many that I don’t think I’ll run out of choices.

Now if only I could be ambitious about cleaning my house…

Happy Running! Are you ambitious?

August 25, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Bras

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Running Bras.

This is one topic, being small-busted, that I don’t have to worry about. (But it’s not that easy to find a nice bra for us either.)

I like ones that are light, breathable and have padding.

My favorite bra is from Handful:

It costs $48. I only have one and I wash it and then wear it again. I save it for races because it is so comfortable.

My second favorite is one from Skirtsports:

Everyday Active Bra

I only wear mine under a shirt

Speaking of SkirtSports, don’t forget about their

This year SkirtSports is celebrating by kicking off breast cancer awareness month early and encouraging women to learn about and support two of their great assets – their boobies! Their Virtual Boobie Run entry includes a free voucher for one of their amazing sports bras (for cups A to DD). You pay $60 and get $70 to use on their website. You can’t beat that!!

You can register HERE.

A friend of mine gave me her Lululemon bra because it was too small on her.

bitty bracer bra – I don’t think they sell it anymore but it similar to the Free to Be bra

It’s a little big on me but it’s wearable.

On training days, I just wear a cheap sports bra that I’ve bought in Walmart or Target.

Not as comfy or durable but it does the trick.

Happy Running! Do you have a favorite bra?

August 21, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Years from Now

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 5 Years From Now

This may be kinda boring because hopefully there will not be any changes in my life in 5 years (as long as I remain healthy).

Working at the same job – I am too old to change careers. I would like to afford to be retired but I doubt I will be able be.

2. Tennis – I love my friends and enjoy playing this sport on a limited basis. I won’t be playing seriously on a team but I plan to plan socially with my friends at least once a week.

and continue our annual tennis vacations.

3. Weekly mah jongg games

I play with a great bunch of women and I love the game.

4. Boating in the summer on the weekends

hanging out in the bays or on the islands.

5. Running and racing

I hope to be still running the occasional half marathon.

I hope to continue winning awards in my new age group.

If I lose my mind and someone trains with me, I may have run a full marathon…but that’s not in the plan!!

I don’t think I have any of these …

Happy Running? What about you? Any changes planned in the next 5 years?

August 19, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Focus

This week’s Word is FOCUS

So what does “focus” mean?

to direct one’s attention or efforts
to concentrate

Sometimes, it is hard to stay focused on running. There are always excuses not to run. It’s too hot or too cold or I’m too tired or I don’t have time or my blah blah blah hurts.

But I know that I will feel better after I run. I know that my upcoming races will go better if I get out there and run. These two things help me stay focused.

I don’t think I felt like running…

Then there are times when I do run and it doesn’t go well and races don’t end as planned. I could concentrate on the reasons why…an injury, the weather, the hills, etc

..but I should focus on the fact that I did run or I did finish the race and there will be more runs and races.

not one of my better days

As runners, we need to look back on when we started running. Remember when we couldn’t run a mile and when we couldn’t finish a 5k under X minutes.

We have all made progress and we need to focus on that.

this was one of my slowest 5K times but it was after not running for 5 months and I was so happy

All runners are different. Some can run ultras. Some can run 6 minute miles. Comparing yourself to others just leaves you frustrated.

We need to focus on our own running and our own individual goals.

We all start at the same time but each runner will finish at different times.

Happy Running! How do you stay focused?

August 18, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Role Models/Runners You Admire

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Role Models/Runners You Admire

At my advancing age, I admire those runners over 50 such as:

These Bloggers:

AJH from Age Groups Rock
Pam from We Run Disney
Holly from HoHo Runs
Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home
Linda from SeeLindaRun
Judy from Chocolaterunsjudy
Sherri from Adventures of a Middle-Aged Drama Queen
Shelly from My Journey to Fit
Charlotte from I Run in the Rain

(Sorry I couldn’t list all the over 50 bloggers… and yes, you younger runners are inspiring too, but let’s face it, it’s easier for you. You’ll see!))

I love to read about older women who are staying fit, being active, organizing running groups, running races from 5ks through marathons.

and of course, older runners that I have read about:

Anne Garrett, who at age 80 set a Half Marathon record and then at 81, set a 5K record

Harriette Thompson who ran a marathon at age 92.

Joan Benoit Samuelson at age 58, who can still finish a marathon in less than 3 hours.

I admire any older woman who is out there running, fast or slow, alone or in a group. I hope to be able to do the same for a very long time…

running at age 62 years young

Happy Running! Who do you admire as a runner?

August 14, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Running Tips

This week, the theme is Running Tips

Here are 5 tips for New Runners.

1. Shoes are important.

It is essential to have good running shoes — ones that fit and that are comfortable. The first time, you should go to a running store to get fitted and try out different shoes.

my latest pair – Hokas

2. Wear comfortable clothes.

They shouldn’t chafe and should be breathable. Of course, if you look good, even better.

one of most comfortable Nike tops & ShirtSports skirts.

3. Eat properly.

That means not “running on empty.” I try to eat carbs before I run and protein after. But really, a healthy diet is the most important. If you run more than 4 miles, try different types of fuel before you use one in a race.

my pre-race breakfast of cream of wheat

4. Sign up for races.

There’s no greater motivator than running a race. The excitement of other racers is contagious. You will meet other runners. (Runners are the nicest people.) You will be surprised how much faster you run when you are racing.

5. Be proud.

Even if you are a slow runner or have a bad run, by running you have accomplished something big – Something that many people cannot do.

check out my knee – this was not a good race but I was ok with it.

Happy Running! Any other tips for new runners?

August 13, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Why Blog?

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I was thinking on Tuesday…

I was looking at my blog links and realized that so many of the blogs that I used to read when I started running are extinct … meaning, these runners don’t blog anymore.

Is it that they don’t run anymore?

Or is it that they have run out of things to say?

When I first started, you had to be creative and pick a topic.

I often did Two for Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Three Things Thursday or even Foto Friday. And I always recapped my races.

Now linking to other blogs is cool such as Tuesdays on the Run, Wednesday Word, Thinking Out Loud Thursdays, Friday Five, Saturday Coffee Clubs, etc. etc.

So I have switched and link most of my posts to linkups.

Why?

It’s easier than deciding what to write about myself. And you get to connect with other runners who are writing about the same thing. It also attracts readers to my blog.

That’s another thing.

I’ve been blogging since 2008 and I still have less than 200 followers.

I’m ok with that because I work full-time and I don’t have the time to comment on everyone’s blog and push mine out to other readers.

The real reason I blog is personal.

To motivate myself to run
To track my progress toward my goals
To review my races to help plan each year’s schedule.
To inspire others to run

There are so many excellent running blogs that it could be a full-time job reading them all. I read a select few while I eat breakfast. But even if I had more time, shouldn’t I be doing something else? Like exercising? Running? It’s another sedentary activity.

Like now.

I am writing this post. I could be at the gym or running on the treadmill (It’s raining.)

But I’m not.

Instead I’m thinking about if I should continue this blog. And why?

These are all things that I enjoy.

So I guess, I will…

for now.

But I’ll end this post here because I am going to get on that treadmill at work and maybe stop at the gym after too. (Tennis for today is cancelled due to the rain.)

Happy Running! Why do you blog? Do you ever think about quitting?

August 12, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Initiative

This week’s Word is INITIATIVE

So what exactly is initiative?

An initiative is the start of something, with the hope that it will continue. It is also a personal quality. A person with initiative is motivated to do things. If you take the initiative, you’re willing to get things done on your own.

My biggest initiative was to decide to start running. At age 55, I joined No Boundaries and set out on my quest to run a 5K.

2008

But more importantly, when my friends stopped running, I continued. I ran by myself and signed up for race after race after race.

2010

Three years later, I took the initiative to run a half marathon. I told no one and signed up for one in Florida, where I knew no one.

the best day ever

I have made friends from blogging and running races. But for the most part, I take the initiative in my running.

I sign up for races that I want to run whether or not I know anyone. (Of course, it is more fun when you do.)

alone at last summer’s half

Running is important to me so I take the initiative to do it on my own.

I have gotten on a plane by myself many times to run a race – California, Florida, Philly, etc. (If I had more time and more money, I would do it even more.)

running solo in Fla last Jan.

If fact, my next half marathon is in Brooklyn. I don’t know anyone in Brooklyn. I am taking a bus there, I rented an apt for the night before the race, and I will take the subway on race day…by myself. (Wish me luck!)