July 28, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Core Strength

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

This week, the theme is Core Strength

This post is “Do as I say not as I do.”

I don’t do much besides run. I am glad to find time to do that.

It’s not that I think it is a waste of time but for me, it’s not a priority. I’ve never had any knee or hip pain (yet) so I’ve put core strength exercises on the back burner.

That being said, if I had the time and the money, I would do yoga more. I think it is great for improving flexibility and your core strength.

in 2011, I used to go to classes weekly

So if you don’t have the money to take a yoga class, there are other ways to get your yoga in:

Online Videos:

Do Yoga With Me
Yoga Journal
Several Yoga for Runners Playlists on YouTube

Apps:

yogastudio

Online Resources:

Truthfully, I enjoy going to a yoga class a lot more than doing it at home. I get a lot more out of it. There is someone to correct my poses. It is more social. And there is no temptation to skip it when you are signed up and paying.

Happy Running! What do you do strengthen your core?

July 23, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Racing and Training

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

I’ve been thinking about racing and training.

How do you do both? Should you?

It’s no secret that I love to race! I have a hard time not signing up for a race every weekend.

There are a few problems with this besides that it’s expensive.

It’s hard to train for a long race such as a half marathon.

There would be no problem if I just ran shorter races but I like to run half marathons too.

What I have done in the past is add more miles after my races.

I guess it works. But I am not sure if it is the best way to train.

It’s like running a speed workout and taking a break, eating and then running some slow miles. Not quite the same as you would do when you run a actual half marathon.

So I am going to run lots of races before my next half (on Oct 10): 7-25, 8-1, 8-7, 8-17, 9-5, 9-12, 9-19, 9-26, 10-03 because I like to race.

This decision means that I have to be satisfied with a good or mediocre half marathon performance but maybe not a great one. I think if I want to run my best half, I will have to cut back on racing. Right now, I don’t want to do that.

I’m also thinking about my next race.

It’s summer. Summer is a time to kick back and relax. Enjoy the sunshine and time with family and friends.

So I have been doing that…a lot!

That means that I have had to skip weekday runs or shorten weekend distances.

My next race is Saturday – another 5k.

I was hoping to get back some speed. My last 5k was under 29 minutes. I’d love to do that again. I’d love to win a age group award too. We’ll see.

I’m debating about the race after that – either a difficult hilly longer but fun one or another 5k in a scenic area?

The train leaves at 8 am. It takes you to the start and you run back on the wooded hilly trail to the station. Sounds like fun but it is a longer distance than I have been running.

Not as interesting but certainly easier. There will be lots of pretty views.

Happy Running! Do you run many races while you are training for a long race? Do vacations and the heat tempt you to skip runs?

July 22, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Inspirational

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 INSPIRATIONAL

I looked up the definition of INSPIRATIONAL and this it what I found: Imparting inspiration.

So what is INSPIRATION?

–a person, place, experience, etc., that makes someone want to do something

In this case, the something is run and even more specifically, run stronger, run farther, run faster.

So here are some of my inspirations:

Strong Running Mamas

This group of beginning runners and their enthusiasm inspired me to go from just running 5ks to 10ks, 15ks and half marathons.

Bloggers

There are too many to mention but I read their blogs and learn from their experiences. They inspire me to be a better runner (and better does not necessarily mean faster.)

Races

Every time, I run a race, even it’s not my best, I can’t wait to run another race. Races are an inspiration.

Scenic Places.

I love to run in different places. When I pass or visit a beautiful place, I always want to run there. What an inspiration!

Running Friends

Judy inspires me with her healthy cooking, her training plans and her positive attitude to running

Mary inspires me with her distances and her ability to come back after injuries

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

and Harriette Thompson who ran a marathon at age 92.

They seem ageless. Could anything be more inspirational that that??

Happy Running! What is inspirational for you?

July 17, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Race Swag

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 Favorite Race Swag

I personally like things that are useful. Here are my 5 favorites:

1. I still use this lunch bag that I won as an Age Group award

2. I love socks.

3. Glasses are cool. It came with a green tooth brush.

4. Wind breakers are practical. I have them in green, blue, yellow and orange. (Unfortunately they stopped giving them out.)

5. And gloves are handy.

Happy Running! What is your favorite race swag?

July 15, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Modest

This week’s Word is MODEST

I looked up the definition of MODEST and this it what I found:

unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one’s abilities or achievements
not too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities
not showing or feeling great or excessive pride

I am most definitely modest. In fact, I may be too modest.

When someones says: “Boy, you’re fast.” I always respond: “Not really. Many runners are much faster than I am.”

When someone says: “You’re amazing. You run half marathons.” I respond: “It’s hard but anyone can too. You just have to want to and train for it.”

When someone says: “You’re always winning awards.” I respond: “That’s because I am old. Less competition at my age.”

I hate to boast and I don’t really think I am doing anything extraordinary.

Of course, I am proud of what I achieve, but I never wear my medals in public. I take a photo and then put them away.

In fact, my friends who do not run do not even know about most of my races and they have no idea that I have a blog or a FB page. Not even my husband knows about my blog.

I am always surprised when I PR or have a fast time in a race. I am just not confident that I can run fast.

shocked at my half marathon PR??

Until recently, I never joined a running group because I was “modest” about my running abilities. I didn’t think I was fast enough and didn’t want to run alone.

I will run with a slower runner. I don’t mind at all. I would hate for someone to say that “I was too slow” to run with.

Judy thinks that I am too fast for her but it is not true.

Happy Running! Are you modest?

July 14, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Where I Run

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: Show Us Where You Run

It depends on the time of day, where I am and the distance I am planning to run:

Short run after work near work:

Washington Park

Short run after work near home:

rail trail

Running with a friend after work:

The Crossings

Short Run during work:

ACP Track

Long runs:

Nisky Bike Path

Corning Bike Path

On the weekends when I am boating:

nature trail at the Sagamore Hotel along Lake George

early morning run along the lake

When I go on my annual tennis vacation:

Naples, FL (in the tennis community)

outside the community

Happy Running. Where do you run?

July 11, 2015 by Darlene

I’ve Been Tagged!

Holly of HoHo Runs tagged me to answer a few questions.

So here goes nothing:

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I guess it is my age. I’m not bragging but most people think I am younger than I am.

They say you are “as old as you feel” or “age is a state of mind.”

I feel younger than I am and in my mind, I am not 62. (Plus I color my hair LOL)

Have you ever met someone famous?

I’ve met a few famous runners. Deena Kastor and Joan Benoit Samuelson.

I’ve also met a famous tennis player.

with Cici Bellis

What is something you hope will never come back in style?

Midi skirts. I am not tall enough to look good in long skirts and I no longer wear high heels.

What is one thing on your travel must-see bucket list.

I don’t think I can pick one thing.

I’d like to go on an African safari
I’d like to return to France.
I’d like to go on an Alaskan cruise.
I’d like to go to the Orient
I’d like to visit Iceland.

I think I need to win the lottery!!!

Who would you want to play in a movie of your life?

No clue. Demi Moore?? I had very long dark hair growing up.

Who is your favorite Disney Princess?

Only had 2 stepsons who were already too old for Disney when I married their father. So I’d have to say Belle. When I taught French, we used to read and watch La Belle et La Bete.

What would you sing at karaoke night?

I wouldn’t. I don’t have a good voice and I am way too shy to do it. I might do it with a bunch of friends and it would probably be Carole King’s “You’ve got a friend.”

Who would you want to be stranded on a desert island with?

My friend, Mary Pat. She always makes me laugh. She also does not stress out about anything. She is my only tennis friend who gets my running and love of anything techie.

What clothing item/accessory/shoes do you have way too many of in your closet?

It used to be tennis clothes but now it is definitely running clothes. My stepsons have moved out and I have taken over the closets and dressers in both of their rooms.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I hate when people talk really load on their cell phones. I really don’t want to hear their personal conversations. So annoying. They do it in the supermarket, in the nail salon, at the airport, etc.

I’m tagging just a few of my favorite bloggers (there are so many!) to answer these same questions. If you’ve already done this, please accept my apology:

Happy Running! Pick one question & let me know the answer!

July 10, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fitness Trends I’ll Never Try

This week, the theme is Fitness Trends I’ll Never Try

Here are my 5:

1. Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian or any other restricted food Diet

I like carbs. I like meat. I like sweets. I like to eat what I want to eat.

That doesn’t mean that I won’t eat healthy. I will when I want to.

2. Boxing.

I have no hand eye coordination. And I don’t like bruises. Nope, count me out.

3. Lifting Weights

I have no upper body strength. Yes, I would like to have more. And I do want toned upper arms but no muscles, please.

4. Juice Cleanses

I can’t imagine not having solid food for several days.

5. Triathlons

Running is great. Biking is ok when I can’t run but I don’t love it. Swimming – definitely NOT. I don’t like to swim and I am not a strong swimmer. Drowning might happen if I had to swim under pressure.

Actually I do admire those who do tris. It just won’t be me.

Happy Running! What fitness trend won’t you ever try?

July 9, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: That Elusive Speed

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

I have been thinking about running goals and speed.

I was getting faster for awhile..

and then things slowed down for whatever reason.

Of course as we age, we slow down.

But what if we started running when we were old. Do we still slow down?

So it seems that if we don’t slow down then it’s a Win-Win.

After a few months of running, my 5k finish times went down to a consistent 29-30 minutes.

Then all of a sudden, I was able to run 27-28 minute 5ks.

Now, I am back to finishing at 29-30 minutes.

Did I slow down or is that where I should be for my age??

Am I going to get even slower? If so, I need to adjust my goals!!

The same thing happened with Half Marathons.

I finished my first one in around 2:26.

Of course, eventually I got faster and finished one in 2:09

Now, I am back to finishing close to 2:26.

So will I continue to run at this speed? Or can I get faster? Or as I age will I get even slower?

Just food for thought.

On another related topic….

I decided to run some 5ks this summer.

TEAM Sarcoma 5k on July 11 (this Saturday)
Silks & Satins 5k on July 24 (in 2 weeks)

Both take place in Saratoga – the first one in the park and the second in town starting at the race track.

How fast will I be? Who knows?

Happy Running! Do you struggle with race goals related to speed?

July 8, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Humble

This week’s Word is HUMBLE

I looked up the definition of HUMBLING and this it what I found:

causing awareness of your shortcomings
making you realize that you are not as good as you thought

I have not found anything as humbling as running!!!

RUNNING IS HARD!!

Running up hills is humbling!

This was at the beginning of my last half marathon (and at the end)!!

Running injured is humbling!

I hadn’t been diagnosed yet but I was in pain and it turned out to be a stress fracture in my right foot. I ran 2 races with that injury. I have also run with a broken foot in addition to other less serious injuries.

Running in adverse temps (cold, hot, rain, etc.) is humbling!

I ran the Love Run Half Marathon in Philly in cold monsoon-like rain. I also ran 2 other halfs in the rain, one in the freezing temps of January and one in the heat and humidity of July. All were very tough, to say the least.

Running after a long layoff is humbling!

This photo was taken after finishing a half marathon in March 2013. It was 16 months after serious ankle surgery. My previous half had been in November 2011. It was definitely harder than I thought it would be.