blogging

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Racing for a Charity


Normally, I sign up for races based on location, course, time, distance, etc.

I signed up for this one only after reading my quilting friend’s (Terry) story on FB of how her son (Jeff) finished the Lake Placid Ironman after breaking his collarbone. (He swam with one arm, biked with one arm and ran 26.2 miles with his arm taped to his body.) Absolutely amazing!!

Jeff approaching the finish line

He and his wife (Mandy) are the sponsors of this race.  His wife is a cancer survivor. I haven’t seen my friend Terry in a while. (I think not since my 2nd half marathon last year.  We used to see each other monthly at quilt meetings.)

So I am running this race because it’s a great cause. “Why 4.4 miles?”.  In 2011 there were 44,000+  new cases of Leukemia.

And all finishers get a medal!

I assume the course will be similar to my last Saratoga race just longer.  It is the same day as many other races.  I hope they get a good turn out.

No big goals since I have never run 4.4 miles but I hope to have fun, feel good and finish between 40 and 50 minutes.

Happy Running!  Have you even signed up for a race just because it’s a good cause?

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5 Things I’m Loving Right Now

Again inspired by SUAR – Here is my list:

1.  Pro Compression Marathon Socks

I have them in argyle blue and hot pink.  They were on sale for half price.  I got them while I was injured.  I plan to wear them a lot.  My right calf is sore because I am favoring my dominant leg.  Also my left ankle still swells.  I hope these socks help me continue to run, run faster, run stronger.

2. 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?

3.  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 Starbuck’s brand.  I’ve tried many of the flavors – vanilla, pumpkin, mocha, chai, etc. I love them.  And they’re only 100 calories.

4.  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 exercise bike and the treadmill at work when I couldn’t walk or run – I would watch Smash, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Good Wife – one episode at lunch and one after work. (Now you know what kinds of shows I watch.)

5. 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!!

6. (just one extra) Running Skirts

I have quite a few running skirts but these two (from runningskirts.com) are my favorites by far.  The top one has compression shorts underneath.  It’s a little longer and it has a pocket on each side.  I was lucky to have received a gift card  for Christmas so I splurged on the top one and I won the bottom one in a raffle.

What are you loving right now?

Blog about 5 things that you are loving right now. Comment here with the link to your post!

Happy Running! Ever try any of my above favorites?

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FMM on Thursday

So if you’re not running, then you have to invent things to blog about. So here’s a belated FMM thanks to www.alltheweigh.com

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question before next Monday on your own blog and then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com  so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.

Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Here’s this week’s topic!

FMM: Three Things

1. Three of your favorite movies:

– Midnight in Paris
– Slumdog Milionnaire
– Once
-many others but these come to mind first

2. Three of your favorite things to drink:

– Starbucks frapuccino
– Starbucks latte
– Chocolate Martini

3. Three of your favorite songs:

-anything by the Beatles
-anything by Billy Joel
-anything by Adele
– Many others as well

4. Three people who have recently been a positive influence on your life (outside of your family):

– my tennis friends who have supported me (with visits, food, etc) during my recent injury
– PT guys Rick & Joe who have patiently helped me recover
-my friend from Russia, Anna who has showed me how to appreciate the little things

5. Three things you to do keep yourself entertained:

– Blogging & reading Facebook
– Reading books and magazines
– Knitting

6. Three things you’re attracted to in the opposite sex:

-sense of humor
-athletic ability
-honesty

7. Three things you love about yourself:

– I’m pretty smart.
– I’m good with technology
– I’m creative.

8. The last three people who text messaged you:

– my tennis friend Catalina
-my boating friend MaryAnn
-my mentee Amanda

9. Three things you’re looking forward to this week:

– a 3-day weekend on our boat
– running outside a little (without any bad side effects)
– seeing a movie

10. Three wishes specifically for yourself…What are they? (Be selfish, and be honest.)

– that my ankle heals sooooon
-great weather this summer (esp. on the weekends)
-financial stability

11. Three of your favorite quotes:

-“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” ~ Lance Armstrong
-“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years…” ~ John Bingham
-“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

12. Three of your biggest fears:

-that I will not be able to run again
-that I will get injured again
-that I will not have enough money to retire (ever)

13. Three of your favorite TV shows:

– Smash
–The Good Wife
– Grey’s Anatomy

14. Three of your favorite things to purchase when you’re shopping.

– running gear
– shoes
– tops

15. Three things that you enjoyed last week:

– the beach in Naples, Fla
– boating last Saturday on Lake George
– dinner out with friends in Bolton Landing

16. Three things that you always have in your bag (or close to you if you’re not a purse kind of person. )

-phone
-sunglasses
-extra pair of contacts

17. Three types of food that you wouldn’t want to give up.

– coffee
– ice cream
– carbs such as bagels, pies, cakes, etc.

18. Three things you do to enjoy burning calories:

– running (when I was healthy)
– tennis (when I was healthy)
– riding my bike

19. Three things you dislike about blogging:

– not getting comments
-running out of storage space for images
-inventing things to talk about when not running

20. Three ways blogging has changed your life:

-kept me motivated to keep running
-introduced me to new people with the same interests
-I learned things about running from those who are more experienced & more knowledgeable

Now it’s your turn to answer the questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in Alltheweigh‘s comments.

Happy Running!  Have a great weekend!  Will you be racing?

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More Injury Advice from SUAR

SUAR’s the best so I’ve stole advice that I need right now and maybe you do or will too.

7 tips to not let injury defeat you:

  1. You are not alone. Remember that many, many people are feeling exactly how you are feeling right now. It is incredibly frustrating and sad to not be able to do what you love to do and that feeling is universal. Just knowing others feel like you do helps. Yes.
  2. Feel athletic. Find something, anything that you can do that make you feel athletic. It will not be running, but it will be something. Try to not compare it to running, but just see it as the thing that will help you get back to running eventually. Be in the moment. When you are on the elliptical, don’t judge the fact that you are not running out on the open road. Just be on the elliptical, get your heart rate up, sweat and feel your body. Know that running is there for you when your body is ready. Look forward to that day. Biking and walking has been this for me.
  3. Have hope. Know that this temporary. Stop reading stuff online, that is usually worst case scenarios and will not help you mentally. When I had my hip stress fracture, I looked at online forums and found all sorts of awful scenarios -people who never could run again, those who had to have surgery, you name it. Chances are very good these scenarios will not be you. So true.
  4. Get perspective. You are a strong and capable runner. You have a an injury. Injuries heal (unless there is some extenuating circumstances). I had to remind myself that cracks in the bone heal if I give it time and if I rest. It did heal. It took four months, then I was running the Boston Marathon with no pain. It’s been 5 months today and I am healing…so slowly.
  5. Ignore those people who don’t understand. Confide in other runners, even if this means on line friends like me. Read chapters of books that talk about injury like Zen and the Art of Running, Running with the Mind of Meditation and Brain Training for Runners. Most running books have a section devoted to injury because most runners get injured at some point. I have.
  6. Get help. If you are really down and depressed consider seeing a sport’s psychologist even just one time. I had a friend/fellow bloggerwho did this last year when she was injured and very down about it. She just went once, but it really put her in the mind space to be able to see beyond the injury and to move out of that dark place. I think I can get through this myself …I hope I can.
  7. Focus on the gifts in your life outside of running. They are still there. Friends…family…work…

You are a runner even if you can’t run right now. This is the best line in her advice.

I decided that after running on the treadmill at PT yesterday, I am going to venture outdoors – either walk/running on a track or a dirt path.  I can’t wait!!

Happy Running!

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Vacation is Over!

I’M

8 days of vacation went by so fast!!  Here are the highlights:

bike riding every morning around World Tennis Center

my birthday – 59 on 5-9

birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant – The Turtle Club

cooling off in the pool

shopping trip in Saint Armand’s Circle – Sarasota

playing Scrabble at the beach

It feels great to hold a racquet

heading out to see a play – Steel Magnolias

our annual group photo at The Dock

hitting a few tennis balls

hosting a dinner party in our villa

group photo with our tennis instructor

More details in my next post.

Happy Running! It’s good to be back blogging!

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Happy 4th Blogoversary

I’ve been blogging for FOUR YEARS!! That means I’ve been running for FOUR Years!

Last year, I posted about the highlights of my first three years – https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/three-years/

  • Year 1  – starting to run for the first time and completing many 5ks
  • Year 2 – after taking the winter off, running again and completing even more 5ks
  • Year 3 – running through the winter, completing 5ks (and a 5k PR), 4 milers and a Half Marathon
  • Year 4 – completing some 5ks, a 5 miler, 15k and FOUR half marathons (plus an achilles injury and a broken ankle 😦 )

Mother’s Day 5k

Lake George Half Marathon

Delmar Dash 5 miler

 

Stockade-athon 15K

  • Year 5: ???

Optimistically speaking, I am hoping that this next year brings healing and a return to running and racing…

Happy Running!  Thanks for stopping by!!!

 

 

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Staying Positive…Ain’t Easy

Look at this week’s weather!

Perfect for outdoor activities, right?

But I cannot walk, bike, play tennis or run!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am DEPRESSED!!!!!

I am trying to stay positive…

  • I have been riding the exercise bike everyday for 20 minutes (catching up on the show Revenge). I even drove to work on Sat & Sun to do this. (Exercise makes me happy.)
  • I have been “walking”  on the treadmill everyday as well.
  • I have been stretching, icing etc. as per PT advice.
  • I have been knitting (almost done with sock #2 and bought wool for two more pairs)

    pretty colors on sale = happiness

  • I went grocery shopping by myself.
  • I have hit up Marshalls several times (it’s not the mall but they have shopping carts/walkers) and bought many cute tops.

    inexpensive cool tops = happiness

  • I went out to dinner with friends at my favorite restaurant.

    creme brulee = happiness

However, every time, I get in my car, I see someone running and those negative thoughts creep in. Everytime, I go online, I read about my friends running, playing tennis and training for a marathon, those darn negative thoughts come back.

I
NEED

  • I am improving each day.
  • A broken ankle is not a fatal disease.
  • 6 months isn’t forever.

Today I go back to my orthopedic doctor.  Hopefully nothing is wrong with my hardware and bone healing and he will release me to the care of my PT.

So my plans include:

but it would be OK if the weather weren't so nice(Sorry runners)

as I work total toward a FULL recovery. This means that I will walk without a limp, I will do yoga, I will run and I will play tennis.

Of course, there will be:

But there are always challenges in life. It will make me stronger. (Gulp!)

And finally:

Stick with me as I vent.  Writing things down helps me believe it!

Happy Running!

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February Photo A Day Challenge Completed

 

For more info, click HERE.

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1– Almost 60 degrees on Feb 1!!  
2– Current inspirational words!!
3– Blogging, of course
4– Lake George Winter Carnival Mascot (which starts today)
5– Super Bowl Sunday morning
6 – “Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first.”
7 – On my jacket today
8 – Runner at sunset in Naples, Fla.
9 – Komen team in front of where I work.
10 – Made with help of befunky.com
11 – Running in a race
12 – My running shoes (of course)
13 – The water of Lake George, the sky & my clothes
14 – Bracelet, bloody mary & hubby’s wedding ring
15– My phone at work
16 – Me standing (& tights, dress)
17 – Mother’s Day race finish time
18– Applebees Holiday Martini
19 – Being housebound & dependent
20 – Joan Samuelson’s autograph
21 – Half marathon finisher medal, red porsche and tennis car magnet in Naples, Fla.
22– Albany Law School
23 – Dressing up (will I wear these again??)
24–  Scrunchies
25– Adirondack Half Marathon Schwag
26 – Lights in the park at Christmastime
27 – Cannoli for dessert
28 – My savings
29 – Smash on my computer

This challenge is a lot of fun especially if you like photography, being creative and you have the time. Perfect for me since I was home from work most of the month.  FATMUMSLIM offers this same challenge every month.  I will not do it for March since I am working again and going to PT but in the future, I think I may again.

Happy Running!  Do you like to take photos??

 

 

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New Running Blog Database

Thanks to Blogger 2SlowforBoston for this new tool he created. According to 2Slow, it can be used for the following and MORE:

  • Submit blogs for you or others to find and reference.
  • Browse running blogs for fun or curiosity.
  • Find that new person to stalk.  Just be ready to go to jail.
  • Sort blog list by State, City, or Blog Title.
  • Search for blogs by specific States, Blog Title, or Blog Author.
  • Find other bloggers in your area.
  • Find other bloggers at your race or vacation destination.
  • Cross reference blog authors to their blog’s title, and vice versa.
  • Get available email addresses.
  • Find your soul mate…

I, of course, had to add my blog.  And if yours isn’t there, you should add it. Click HERE to find out.

you have to use blogger to automatically have a profile pic shown

 

But if you email 2Slow, he will add one:

Happy Running?  Will this database be useful to you?

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Welcome February… I think

January Update:

  • Yes, that’s ZERO running miles for January!
  • Zero tennis played (but watched Australian Open on TV)
  • Zero yoga sessions attended
  • Cross-training = crutching, crawling, hopping, knitting, typing…
  • Non-running activities – 2 hats knitted,  3 digital photo books created, 3 parties attended, many scrabble games, mah jongg, TV, books….BOREDOM!!!

 Unfortunately February looks much the same.

Hope my bones are healing!!!!

Happy Running!  What are YOUR goals for February?