April 1, 2013 by Darlene

A is for April goals

GOALS

Start back at weekly yoga (now that half marathon training is over)

Play tennis once a week

Try to eat healthy (now that half marathon training is over, there is no need to eat a lot and eat often)

Do Planks (I hate to exercise so maybe I can do this for one minute everyday.)

Lose some weight. (not a lot – 5-8 lbs – my clothes are tight and it is bugging me.) Even signed up for this challenge from Slowing Tri-ing.

thinner in 2009 or these shorts shrunk?

Run at least 3 times per week. (at least 3 miles for each run)

Run longer on the weekend (4-6 miles)

Try to get some speed back in my upcoming races (have 2-3 planned: 5 miler & 2 5Ks).

April 21, 2013

Do the A-Z Blogging Challenge (it seems pretty easy since you can schedule posts in advance….)

Pay attention to my body and do not get injured. (That means not running if there is a sign of injury)

Happy Running! Any interesting goals set for April?

March 31, 2013 by Darlene

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

My goals for the month:

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 and then a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

So how did I do?

YES!!

13.1 miles on march 17, 2013!

2. Didn’t run for 2 days and then only ran a little on the treadmill to break in these:

mine have yellow laces

3. Did it once.

after an outdoor run in a nearby park

4. Played tennis 3 times (once it was cancelled due to a snowstorm)

5. YES!

13.1 miles on Oct. 13, 2013!!!

6. Kinda…. I was on vacation in Florida…. did my best!!

Aren’t martinis healthy?

What else happened in March?

81 miles for March

I ran in the snow & ice a lot. The winter in the NE never did end.

I ran in the nice weather too (obviously not in the NE).

I spent time with friends.

with Pat

Susan, me & Robin at Lido Key beach...can you guess which one of us does not live in Florida??

with Susan and Robin

I got a surprise visit from Anna from Russia.

a day together in Staten Island

I spent time with my mentee and her sons.

pre-Easter celebration

I ran a 5K race.

post injury 5k PR

I actually gave up flour for Passover (I did it as a kid but as an adult I always cheat.)

one more day & I can have my bagel, cereal, poptart, rice, pasta, etc.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been put on every year since 2010 by Arlee Bir d over at Tossing It Out and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.

Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st, B on April 2nd and so on) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on.

Sounded like fun!! So I signed up. I will be posting on my running and running related thoughts. We’ll see if I can keep it up.

Feel free to join … just go over to The A-Z Challenge blog and follow the directions.

Happy Running! How was your March? Are you participating in this challenge?

February 26, 2013 by Darlene

What I am Loving Right Now

I’ve read this on some blogs and I am bored while proctoring at the bar exam so ….

Here is my list in no particular order:

YA Novels

I started with the Twilight series because the girl that I mentor loved them. After that, I read the Hunger Games trilogy which I enjoyed a lot. Then I was recommended Divergent and Insurgent (the 3rd will be out soon) by Veronica Roth. If you like this kind of reading, you must read Delirium and Pandemonium (Requiem is coming out in March) by Lauren Oliver which I liked even more. Now I’m on to Alli Condie’s series, Matched, Crossed and Reached. As Jimmy Buffet said in a song: “I’m growing older not up…”

Compression Socks

drinking coffee out of my new Moscow mug

these are from procompression.com

I have them in white, black, argyle blue, green, purple, pink and hot pink. I’ve worn them during all my half marathons. I got more while I was injured. I wore them while recovering and racing. Now I just wear them during my long training runs. I don’t know if they help physically but psychologically they do.

Chocolate Cream of Wheat

I ALWAYS eat hot cereal for breakfast. It is also my pre-race breakfast. I use 2 packages, add water and cook in the microwave. Then I add some milk to cool it. The chocolate feeds my sweet tooth. It says that it includes 9 essential vitamins so it is semi healthy, right?

Archer Farms Bottled Lattes

They are basically bottled Frappuccinos with the word “latte” slapped on the label. Regardless of the name, they taste very similar to Starbucks brand Frappuccinos. You can buy them at Target and they are much cheaper than the Starbucks brand. I’ve tried many of the flavors – vanilla, pumpkin, mocha, chai, etc. I love them. And they’re only 100 calories.

Watching TV on my iPad

I think I watch TV on it more than I do on a regular TV. Recently, I have been catching up on episodes of Revenge. It has been a Godsend for the treadmill at work when I can’t run outdoors- I also watch Smash, Nashville, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife – either at lunch or after work. Now you know what kinds of shows I watch. Unfortunately the PBS app only has season 3 of Downton Abbey & I haven’t seen seasons 1 & 2 (which everyone is racing about.)

Liberte Mediterranee Yogurt

I started eating yogurt for the first time when I spent my junior year abroad in France. I have been looking ever since (and it’s been a LONG time) for yogurt as good as the kind they make in France. I finally found it!! Coconut is my favorite. YUM!! I also like their vanilla.

Running Skirts

me feeling short with the Running Skirts ladies

October 2012

January 2011

February 2013

I have quite a few running skirts. I even wear them over tights when it is cold outside. But the top one (from runningskirts.com) is my favorite by far. The top one has compression shorts underneath. It’s a little longer and it has a pocket on each side. I wore it for almost all my races this past summer and fall. So I just ordered another that I may wear for my upcoming half marathon.

Thomas Bagels

I need my carb fix everyday. I used to be a bagel snob (I am from LI, NY) and never buy supermarket bagels but then I tried Thomas. They are good. They are soft and stay fresh for weeks. My favorites are pumpkin, cranberry, corn, banana bread. If I can’t find those flavors, I”ll eat honey wheat or cinnamon raisin. They are so good that I just eat them plain for a mid-morning snack. In fact, they have replaced my PopTart addiction 🙂

Red Wine

I am not a big drinker. In fact all I need is one mixed drink to get me drunk. I rarely drink at all when I’m not on vacation or having dinner in a restaurant. Usually I order Riesling. I always felt that red wine gave you a headache. Recently, I have acquired a taste for red wine. I am having one glass of Merlot almost every evening. The French do it, right? And they live a long time!!

Happy Running! What are you loving right now?

February 20, 2013 by Darlene

Pinterest for Motivation

Pinterest is a great place to find motivational sayings. There are so many that it was hard to choose. But here are a few of my favorites:

Happy Running! What is your favorite motivational saying?

January 10, 2013 by Darlene

Finally Some Good Things in 2013

1. Got this email yesterday:

Hi Darlene,

I noticed one of your posts whilst I was researching an article, and had to have a peek at your site! I really like the personal take you have on running and exercise, and had to add you to my bookmarked list!

Several months later, and I have to say that your journey really is an inspiration to all people who have a goal, but suffer set backs and obstacles along the way. You have a ton of great advice, especially for unwilling runners [like me], of which there are many!

Mike and I have put together a list of our favorite 100 Top Health and Fitness blogs to watch in 2013, and you were an obvious choice! For a bit of fun, we’ve asked for the public to vote for the winners! You can see the contest page here http://www.leapfitness.com/top100.

We’ve also created a voting button that you can add to your site to ask your readers to cast their vote! So please feel free to add the attached button to your site and send your readers to vote for you here: http://www.leapfitness.com/top100

There are so many fantastic fitness blogs out there that we’re hoping this will help spread the word, help people with their motivation… and send you new visitors!

Good luck

Christy

Christy Hansen
LeapFitness.com

2. My cold is on its way out and Tuesday I ran 4 miles!!! WooHoo!! I hacked up a gallon of phlegm but it felt good to be out there. We are having a mini heat wave (40 degrees or higher) and I plan to run again today & this weekend. There may be hope for this half marathon in March.

3. I had dinner last night with an old friend (whom I taught French with year ago)…lot’s catching up…so much fun!

4. A fellow runner just had twins!! Another is pregnant.

5. Many bloggers have returned after a hiatus. So many have lofty goals for 2013. I love reading them. It certainly motivates me to get out there so matter what.

6. All of a sudden, I am addicted to vampire books (particularly the Charlaine Harris series). Who knew?? They’re light and fun. (My knitted sock may never get done.)

So there you have it, a post that isn’t depressing!!!

Happy Running! Vote for me (http://www.leapfitness.com/top100) if you want.

January 3, 2013 by Darlene

2013 Running Goals

This may be cheating but I had some great goals for 2012 but with two injuries, I didn’t get a chance to see if I could accomplish them.

So here they are again:

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!)
PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.)
Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List)
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one)
Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
Run a race in another state
Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC)
Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Hope I have better luck this year.

However, my real 2013 goal is to be HEALTHY and HAPPY!!!

Happy Running! Do you set new running goals each year?

December 27, 2012 by Darlene

My Life in Numbers

This has been going around the blogosphere so I thought I’d give it a try.

My Life In Numbers

59 – the number of years I’ve been on this earth

100 – number I hope to see on my birthday cake one day

1971 – the year I graduated from high school

1975– the year I graduated with a four-year degree

4 – number of years it took me to get a 4 year degree (including the year I was studying in the south of France)

3 – number of full-time jobs I’ve had since graduating from college (22, 8, 6 yrs -I don’t change jobs much)

58 – number of years I’ve lived in New York (I was born in Pittsburgh, Pa…moved to upstate NY in 1971 for college & never left)

58 – number of years I thought I’d live in New York

2 – number of states I’ve lived in (PA, NY)

2 – number of times I’ve been married

13 – number of years I’ve been married to Lou, my current hubby (14 on Jan 16)

15 – number of years Lou and I have been together

0 – number of children I have (Lou has 2)

1 – number of times I smile a day (not enough)

0 – number of dogs I have (I love dogs, though)

5 – number of cats I have

11 – number of cars I’ve owned (2 Ford Pintos, VW Rabbit, Ford Escort, 2 Honda Accords, Hionda Prelude, Honda CRV, BMW Z3, 2 BMW 3 Series)

1 – number of siblings I have (1 brother)

34 – number in years since I saw one of my siblings in person (we do not keep in touch)

3.5 – approximate number of hours to drive to my parents house (my father is deceased, I do not keep in touch with my mother)

7-8 – number of hours of sleep I get per night

2008 – Year I started running

5 – number of half marathon races I’ve run

2:30:12 – time of my most recent half

0 – number of full marathons I’ve trained for

0 – number of full marathons I’ve finished

NA– time of my most recent full marathon

10 – number of 5K’s run this year (but I was injured most of the year)

35:25 – time of most recent 5K race (recovering from a stress fracture)

311 – number of miles I have run so far in 2012 (again it was a year full of injuries)

8:XX – Fastest mile I’ve run

4 – number of running shoes I’ve bought/received in the past year (not bad considering I’ve been injured most of the year)

6 – number of other shoes I’ve bought/received this year (Yes, I am a shoe addict but I spent most of the year in a boot).

57 – number of months I’ve been blogging

6 – how many blogs have you started

Happy Running! What’s your life in numbers?

December 22, 2012 by Darlene

Another Motivational Quote & Holiday Greeting

I made a pact with myself to never complain about an event I’ve successfully finished. No matter what my finish time or pace, I will cross the line with a pocket full of gratitude. Records are meant to be broken, but those moments are far and few between. Every adventure offers an opportunity to evolve, explore, and celebrate life. And that is the gift that keeps on giving. — Jenny Hadfield

That will be my motto for 2013!!

Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading! What is your favorite running quote?

December 20, 2012 by Darlene

Second Annual Secret Santa Sock Swap

Thanks to 3x A Charm Runner for organizing this. I was paired with Amanda from Run To The Finish (She will post what I sent) and Beatrice who got me the gifts below.

I got great holiday knee socks which I will wear next week on my run and next year when I do the Albany Last Run 5K. I also got a cute ornament (my first running one…I have lots of tennis, cats, teaching, French ones) as well as lots of treats including chocolate GU (which I will need as I train for a half marathon.)

Thanks Beatrice (I hope you see this) for the perfect gifts.

Happy Running! Did you participate in any holiday gift exchanges this year?