September 4, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fall Races to Run

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 Five Fall Races to Run:

Here are my top 5:

Oct 10, 2015

1. Brooklyn Rock N Roll Half Marathon – This will be my first Rock n Roll race and my 15th half marathon.

Oct. 31, 2105

2. NYRR Dash to the Finish Line – I am really excited about this one. Finally I will be running a race in NYC. It starts near the UN and ends in Central Park. I will get to cross the finish line of the NYC Marathon (which is the next day.)

November 8, 2015

3. Stockade-athon – This a very popular local 15K. I have run it 3 times. They changed the course last year and I enjoyed it even more.

November 26, 2015

4. Troy Turkey Trot – Last year I ran this 10K for the first time and I plan to do it again. Lots of runners and loads of fun.

October 17, 2015

5. Great Pumpkin Challenge – I ran this 10k for the first time last year. I may just do the 5k this year. We’ll see. I enjoyed running in Saratoga State Park.

Happy Running! What’s on your fall racing schedule? Anyone running any of the above races?

September 3, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursdays – Shoes

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

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Why do I have so many Running Shoes.?????

It’s no secret that I have crappy feet. No other part of my body hurts – not my calves, not my quads, not my hamstrings, not my knees, not my IT band, etc. JUST MY FEET.

I have pain on the sides, on the bottom,… I get blisters. My achilles gets tight. I have bunions.

I’ll use my feet as an excuse to buy new running shoes often.

Here are my latest pair – Nikes. The verdict is still out but I think that will probably keep them for short races and short runs.

The reason for the purchase was the blisters and foot pain from Saturday’s race.

These were Mizuno Inspires that I wore for my last half and that I got on sale.

So far, my most comfortable shoes to date are these Hokas.

They are wide and have lots of cushion and so far, my feet don’t hurt when I run in them.

But look at the bottom after 100 miles or so. The midsole is very worn as well.

Warning.. I will probably buy another pair for my long and recovery runs and half marathon. The Hokas are great for problem feet like mine.

(But they are clunky and I have a hard time getting any speed in them…hence the other pair of running shoes needed.)

These are my most recent purchases. In the past year, I have run in many different pairs of Mizunos.

Mizuno Wave Rider 18s – I got these free as a tester

Mizuno Wave Rider 17s – they were cheap and PURPLE

those same Mizunos Inspires

Mizuno Wave Ride 18s in a different color

Running down the Bump N Grind Trail in CA

a 3 yr old pair of Mizuno Inspires – didn’t want to get newer ones dirty on the trails

Mizuno Wave Rider 17s (that I got free as a tester)

Then there are some others that I may have gotten on sale and are still in my closet from past years.

So do I have a problem?

I need to have comfortable shoes. Shoes that look good are a plus. Shoes that match my outfits a even bigger perk.

So true!!

Happy Running! Do you have a lot of pairs of running shoes? What are you thinking about today??

September 2, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Accountability

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 ACCOUNTABILITY

According to the dictionary:

Accountability means taking responsibility for something that you are supposed to do.

At work, I am accountable to a lot of people. If I don’t do what I am supposed to do, there may be repercussions that affect people besides myself.

At home, it may be shopping, cleaning up, laundry etc. If I don’t do them, we just don’t eat and have no clean clothes. No big deal. Lucky for me, my hubby is very easy going about most things.

But for running, I am accountable to myself.

If I do NOT run regularly, then I run and get injured, I should hold myself accountable.

Most importantly, if I don’t run regularly or enough miles, when it comes to running a race, I won’t be happy with my results.

So how do I stay accountable?

Set goals and share them. I have goals for each race, each week, for each month, for each year. I post these on my blog. I thinks it helps me be accountable.

Be realistic about your running.

I know that I don’t have the time to run everyday. And for my feet, it would not be a good idea. I know that when I run alone, my pace is slow and I walk a lot. I also know that at my age, PRing is not going to happen often (or maybe never.)

Join a running group or find a running partner.

ladies from the Freihofer’s Training Group

With a group, I have a time, place and people to run with. It also adds specific workouts to my schedule.

Judy, a FB friend

If you arrange to meet someone to run with, you show up and complete the distance. Voila accountability.

Put it on your calendar.

When you work and have a busy life, running may get ignored, skipped or forgotten. I put my runs on my calendars (yup several of them – wall, work computer, iphone, etc.)

Make running a priority.

That means sometimes saying no to an invitation because you have to run. That means rearranging vacations, events around your race or running schedule. You obviously have to have an understanding family and friends.

Always be prepared to run.

I have running shoes and clothes in my car. I never know when my schedule may change and I will be able to run. I also always bring running stuff with me when I travel.

Happy Running! How do you stay accountable?

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

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

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.