May 1, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Race Day

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 Race Day.

If you are a runner, who doesn’t love “race day.”

Here are 5 important things in my race day:

1. Have a good breakfast

For me, it’s oatmeal or cream of wheat with flax or raisins added in.

2. Get dressed in a cute but comfortable outfit.

IMG_4762-0

Yes, I am matchy matchy but I try to wear clothes that I’ve worn before so I know they will be comfortable.

3. Bring all the extra stuff you need

Fuel for before and during.

My Garmin, my iPhone, my RoadID, my belt for attaching my bib…

Change of clothes for after.

4.Get to the race early.

So you can find parking, get your race packet, use the restrooms and meet up with friends. And then relax (Is that possible?)

5.Cross that finish line and smile.

Be proud of your accomplishment even if it wasn’t a PR. You finished a race!!

Happy Running! What important things go on on your race day?

April 28, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Warm Weather Gear

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: Favorite Warm Weather Gear

Skirts, of course. You stay cooler in them than capris or shorts and they just look good.

Especially SkirtSports skirts!

Tank tops or tech tee shirts

lighthouse 5k mother-147

Baseball caps – they keep the hair off my neck and the sun off my face

biggest-loser-5k

Cool Max socks – I am blister prone so this is important for me.

Sunglasses – I wear contacts so my eyes are really sensitive. I wear sunglasses all the time (even if it is not sunny) except when it is dark out.

sshm2

Nathan Hand-held water bottle – I don’t usually carry water (I just loop my runs) but when I do, I love this.

Happy Running? Why do you like to wear in the warmer weather?

April 24, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Blogs to Love & Runfessions April

This week, the theme is Blogs to Love.

This is a tough one. My morning routine is to open BlogLovin’ on my iPad and to read running blogs. It is so hard to just pick FIVE but know that even if your blog is not listed here, I still enjoy catching up on your running life.

1. Shut Up and Run.

suar

Beth’s blog always makes me laugh. She is open and honest and discusses EVERYTHING related to her running. She is also an incredible athlete who completes in Ironman competitions and runs faster than women half her age. You should definitely subscribe to her blog if you don’t already.

2. My Journey to Fit.

I enjoy Shelly’s candid approach to running and staying fit. She is also a knitter so I love seeing her latest projects. I can identify as an older runner with her training and desire to have more speed.

3. Taking the Long Way Home

ttlwh

As Wendy says, hers is “a running blog written by someone who doesn’t want to act her age.” I totally get that and can relate. Her posts are fun and interesting as she always comes up with creative images to illustrate her point. She has endless energy and is quite fast. I love her devotion to yoga. She is quite inspiring and I hope her speed and yoga routine rub off on me!

4. We Run Disney

Pam, who is also my age, and her daughter write this blog. Obviously they love Disney races but they also run other races. In fact, they even ran in Ireland. So I follow their racing with envy. Even though, Pam is over 60, she is still running marathons and has even BQed!! Check out read her Boston Marathon report.

5.HoHo Runs

hoho

HoHo or Holly is another “oldish” blogger who likes to run as many races as I do. The difference here is that hers are mostly half marathons. I love reading her race reports. Maybe she’ll motivate me to run a full.

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions.

I may have confessed these in previous months but here we go anyway:

I planned to go to the gym ONCE a week. I was good the for first 2 weeks and then I fell off the wagon…again.
Thanks to being chosen as a SkirtSports ambassador, I have bought more running clothes.

3. I have become a weather wimp. In the winter, I would go out and run in sub-zero temps.

now when it is 40 degrees, it feels too cold and I run on the treadmill.

4. I am still in the dumps about my crappy half marathon performance. It doesn’t help when I keep bumping into people and they ask “How did it go?” I’ve been saying: crappy, shitty, disappointing, painful, sucky, blisters, achy feet. Soon, I am just going to say “Fine.”

at least I wasn’t fixing my hair in front of the photographer.

5. I am a solo runner. I don’t mind running by myself. I can run where and when I want and I like being alone with my thoughts and running at any speed I choose. But somehow, I can’t get motivated to walk by myself. I used to walk everyday with my co-worker but she seems to have broken up with me. This week, we started a walking challenge at work and I still find myself sitting at my desk all day. Maybe things will change if spring weather ever arrives.

walking last year during our morning break

Happy Running! Which blogs do you love to read? Anything to confess?

April 21, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Why 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: Why I Run

I RUN…

because it makes me feel good
because it makes me feel healthy
because it makes me feel active
because it gives me time to be alone
because it gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment
because it makes me feel young
because it makes my day start better
because it makes a bad day end better
because it helps me enjoy the fresh air and the scenery
because I have met awesome people who are runners
to inspire others to become runners
so that I can eat more ice cream and desserts
so I can listen to music I like as loud as I like
as fast or slow as I want
until I feel like stopping
wherever I choose
alone or with thousands of others
to support a cause
to get a medal
to a get a tech shirt
because I can

Washington Pk jog

jhr12

Happy Running? Why do you run?

April 17, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Brands to Love

This week, the theme is Brands to Love

Here are the 5 Brands that I Love:

1. Mizuno for shoes

Running shoe brands…I’ve tried them all and at one time or another have loved them. Currently I love Mizuno.

2. RunningSkirts and SkirtSports for skirts

my latest RunningSkirts skirt

another one

I only run in skirts and wear quite a few different brands… I usually buy what’s on sale. If I had a choice, I would buy them from Runningskirts and SkirtSports. I love the length of their skirts and the 2 pockets.

my newest SkirtSports capris

and SkirtSports skirt

3. ProCompression for socks

Stockadeathon - November

My ankles love compression socks. I also wear different brands but ProCompression has lots of colors and they are often on sale. (Yes, price does matter.) And they are tight enough to work but not impossible to put on.

Stockadeathon

4. Champion for running clothes

Thank you Target for carrying this brand. I have their hats, socks, jackets, shirts, skirts, tights…. You can’t beat them for the price.

love this jacket, hat, skirt and tights – all Champion

love this tank, skirt and hat

5. GU for fuel

Fuel is as important as clothes in running a race. GU has gotten me through all my long runs and long races. It gives me energy. They have a variety of flavors and some without caffeine. They don’t upset my stomach.

my favorite flavors

Happy Running! What brands do you love??

April 14, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Spring Training Update

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: Spring Training Update

My training this Spring is going to be pretty informal:

Mondays – FRW training group run – usually 3 miles with some speed work mixed in
Tuesdays – tennis
Wednesdays and/or Thursday – 3-4 easy miles
Fridays – gym – upper body machines
Saturday or Sunday – a race with some extra miles for a longish run

I am currently tapering for my half marathon on Saturday!!

half #12 – along the ocean – yay & a visit to a college friend in NJ

Then I have a recovery 5K before I start ramping up the miles for another half marathon.

enjoyed this one last year too – hopefully there will be cherry blossoms this year

The training begins with a 15K along the river.

yes, that’s me on the website – I ran the 10K last year – this year I signed up for the 15K

This is a weekday training run and a 5k.

May 7, 2015 6:30 pm…wasn’t planning on this but a FB friend started a team for this 5k and…

I continue my training with another 15K on my birthday.

May 9, 2015 – running the 15K, a new race for me

then a fun 5K to celebrate Mother’s Day.

GOTR event – I am volunteering in this program and will be doing it with my new buddy – otherwise I would run this for the 2nd time

Hopefully, my legs will be ready for this hilly half. I am excited to visit Burlington, VT.

May 24, 2015 – I am doing the relay with AJH – my 13th half

I will be recovering with my favorite 5K

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time.

And finally another half marathon about 1 1/2 hours south.

Half Marathon – June 13, 2105 – my 14th half – get to see the new bridge over the Hudson

I will be traveling to Denver, CO for a conference and get back the night before for this hilly 10 mile race.

June 20, 2015 – my 2nd year – loved it last year – this year I will be jetlagged.

Happy Running? How’s your spring training going? Which race(s) are you training for?

April 12, 2015 by Darlene

My Running Favorites and a Spring Run

Talented Darlin’ Rae tagged me to answer some questions about running:

1) Location: Trail, Road, or Indoors?

Definitely roads. That’s what I run on most often. I particularly like to run in parks and on bike paths where there is no traffic. I think trails are scenic but I am clumsy so I have to run slow. And I really do not enjoy the treadmill AT ALL.

2) Time of Day: Morning, Noon, or Evening?

If I didn’t work, it would be morning. I run better in the morning because I have more energy. When it’s warm, I sometimes drag myself out of bed and run before work. But I do work and it’s cold and dark in the morning and so it’s in the evening that I choose to run.

3) Weather: Sunshine, Mild or Hot?

I love sunshine. I prefer hot to cold but MILD is ideal with no humidity and no wind.

4) Fuel: Before, After, and sometimes during?

Before a run, if it is morning, I usually have oatmeal. After work, I eat a protein bar. If I am running long, I bring GU with me. Afterwards, I love to have chocolate milk.

5) Accessories: Music, Watch & More?

Sometimes I run with music but lately, it’s been just my thoughts. I always bring my iPhone and use the Nike+ app for distance. In a race, I use my Garmin 205 for time & pace.

the phone in my future

6) Rewards: Food, Wine, or …?

It depends on the time of day. But I often use a Starbucks frappuccino or soft ice cream as a reward.

7) Type of run: Long, tempo, intervals, hill repeats, progression, or recovery/easy?

I love easy runs. That’s what I do usually. When I am training, I do long runs on the weekend. Occasionally I run intervals and then I use the track.

running on the track at work

I’m supposed to tag 7 people to answer these questions, so here you go Masters Bloggers:

Today spring finally arrived. (Too bad it wasn’t here yesterday for my race.)

As I mentioned yesterday, I bailed on my post-race run because it was just too damn cold and windy.

Today the weather was perfect so I invited myself on the last 5 miles of my friend Judy’s long run.

We agreed on the Corning Bike path for a change of pace.

There were lots of bikers and runners but still a very peaceful place to run.

We have a different style but it seems to work. She runs at a steady slower pace so when I want to speed up, I stop and take pictures and then run to catch up.

I ran about 5.5 miles and felt great. I could have run more but then again, I need to have my legs fresh for my half marathon in 6 days. And I have my running group tomorrow night.

After we were done, we walked back to a scenic part of the trail so Judy could take pics of me wearing my new SkirtSports skirt. As an Ambassador, I needed one wearing their clothes.

I think Judy did great. I am undecided. I still may use one of my older race ones.

Happy Running! If you’re not tagged, pick a question to answer in the comments! Which pic of me would you choose?

April 10, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Trips

This week, the theme is Trips

I have no big vacations planned to any exotic or faraway places but here are my 5 trips – 3 are definites and 2 are hopefuls:

1. New Jersey

Next week, I plan to visit a friend in New Jersey whom I visited last October…

and run a half marathon in Asbury Park. I have never been there and can’t wait to run along the ocean.

2. Naples, Florida

Again this May, I plan to go to Naples with 11 of my closest tennis friends…

group photo with our instructor on our last day of lessons

We will be playing tennis, shopping, eating, sunning and just hanging out together. It will be our 10th year, I think.

on Palm Island

I hope do some running too.

running in Naples, Fla.

3. Vermont

At the end of next month, I plan to stay with AJH. I have seen pictures of the part of rural Vermont where she lives. It looks so nice.

photo by AJH

We will be running a marathon relay together in Burlington. I have never been to Burlington and I am looking forward to it and running along Lake Champlain.

4. Florida for a half marathon

I’ve run 3 here – Naples, Sarasota and West Palm Beach and loved them all.

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner - Yup, I am in the photo!!!

W. Palm Beach Half Marathon

Naples Half Marathon

I haven’t decided where or when but it’s a definite maybe.

5. La Quinta, CA

I hope to be invited back to visit Mary. I have been twice and loved it out there.

This past year, we hiked. Maybe next time, we’ll run a race together.

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Happy Running! What trips do you have planned? Any invites to Florida?

April 7, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Time Management While Race Training

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: Time Management While Race Training

This is an important one… and often difficult to do.

Prioritize

What’s more important? Your race or your family? Your race or your friends? Your race or your job?

yes, training interferes with my hubby’s favorite summer pastime.

yes, training interferes with time on the tennis courts with my friends

and yes, often I have to work rather than run

In other words, sometimes, you have to skip a run.

Be creative.

I’ve had to take a day off from work to do a long run. I’ve split my long run into two parts and even into two days.

I usually run after work but I’ve had to run during lunch

or even before work.

Schedule it.

I decide each week, when I am going to run and I put in on my calendar.

I also post it on my blog.

It keeps me accountable.

Relax.

As they say …

It’s only a race.

If you don’t do well, there will be other races.

Happy Running! How do you manage your time while training for a race?

April 6, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #10)

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group

my back ached… I ran with the slowest ladies and that was tough. 15 miles in 2 days= too much

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run

Thursday – ~~4 mile run~~ rest, gym after work
Friday- ~~rest~~, 3 mile run at lunch, Passover seder with the mah jongg ladies

lunch time run in spring-like weather

Passover seder with the mah jongg gang

Saturday – 12 mile long run – may start with FRW training group and then add some more rest (50 mph wind gusts – no way), day with my mentee and her sons