I got this idea from several blogs. So it’s not original.
Crossing the finish line of a race
Sunsets over water
(Vanilla) Cafe Latte
Soft Serve Ice Cream (esp. coffee) with sprinkles
Happy Running! What do you love today?
Yup, I am 58 years old today!!
If you asked me 5 years ago if I would run in a 5k race, I would have laughed in your face. If you asked me one year ago if I would run a half marathon, I would have done the same. I am thankful that I am healthy and have friends and bloggers that support my craziness.
my proudest moment
Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange #35:
This Week’s Topic: Handling Set-Backs
This Week’s Question: What kind of set-backs have you experienced when it comes to your sport? Have you had an injury, financial issue or other stress that has interfered with your training and how did/do you handle it?
I am pretty lucky to not have had major injuries. I have had a slight knee issue and a foot problem. In both cases, I just cut back my running and paid more attention to icing & stretching & ibuprofen. I know if I had to stop running for any length of time, I would be totally bummed.
Both boating and tennis have greatly impacted my running time. My hubby has so far been agreeable to let me work around our weekends on the boat & I have been able to squeeze in my training runs and my summer 5ks. I will also try this summer to schedule my long runs on Thursdays.
Tennis is another story. I try to not run & play on the same day so my body doesn’t fall apart. But sometimes I have to. I also don’t play on many teams anymore and I have to explain to my friends why I want to run rather than play on their team.
My husband was forced to retire before we were financially ready so I have been conscious about the cost of races. Racing is important to me so I try to cut back on other things.
Last week update:
My goal was 13 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of 13 miles. YAY!!
I ran a 5K race.(actually it was 3 mi) and had a BIG PR!!
I played tennis twice.
Goals for the next 2 weeks:
This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Wed – leave for Naples, Fla
Thurs – tennis, beach
Fri – tennis, beach
Sat – tennis beach
Sun – tennis, beach
Next week’s schedule:
Mon – sightseeing
Tues – tennis, beach
Wed – return to Albany, NY
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – my hubby’s b-day
Sun – my belated B-day dinner w/BF
This week’s running:
Tues – 3 mi before work
Thurs – 3 miles before tennis
Sat – 3 miles before tennis
Sun – 3 mil before tennis
Next week’s running:
Tues – 3 miles before tennis
Thurs – Workforce Challenge 3.5 mi Race
Sun – SPAC 5k race
2 Week Running Goal = 21.5 miles
May Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race or 2 or 3 or 4
Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles
Happy Running! Florida here I come!
I BLOG because it motivates me to run, to continue running and to improve my running.
Does it matter if anyone reads my posts??? Not really, but it’s so cool when someone does read what you have to say and you actually inspire them to run.
This is an email that I received yesterday:
Hi Darlene!
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and I must say THANKS for the inspiration. I’m just getting into running. I turned 46 a month ago and am one of those “adult-onset” runners. I’m following the Couch-to-5k program (in Week 6 now) and I’m really enjoying it! I’m trying to absorb all the info and advice that I can. I came across your blog one day while looking for info on running in the Albany area. Thanks again! I hope to say “hi” to you at Diva Night.
So now I guess I also BLOG to inspire others to run, to continue running and to improve their running!!!!!!
Happy Running! Happy Blogging!
Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:
This Week’s Topic: Running Green
This Week’s Question: In celebration of (belated) Earth Day, tell us how you help the earth by running green.
I am embarrassed to say that I’m not that environmentally conscious. But I want to be. I usually carry a small water bottle if I run a long distance or just drink from the tap before & after my run. I rarely buy bottled water.
Last week update:
My goal was 10 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of 11 miles. Slowly recovering.
I ran a 5K race.
I played tennis once and did Yoga once.
Goals for this week:
This week’s schedule: (A BUSY ONE!!)
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Wed – yoga
Thurs – hair appt, Diva Night at FleetFeet
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – “HAIR” and dinner out w/friends
Sun – Mother’s Day dinner out w/family
This week’s running (if I have time):
Tues- 3 miles after work
Wed – 4 miles after work
Fri – 3 miles after or before work
Sun – Mother’s Day 5k race
Weekly Running Goal = 13 miles
May Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race
Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles
Happy Running!
Hope she wins!!
I wish that I could watch but I am at work and secretly tracking on the computer.
Hooray for "older" runners (My Idol)
I am also routing for Michelle, former student and all those bloggers (Tall Mom, SUAR, Sweaty Emily and others…) who are in Boston today!!
As for me, I stayed in bed this am 😦 and will run my 3 mile taper after work today.
Happy Running! Congrats Boston Racers!!! I know you all did your best!
Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:
This Week’s Topic: All About Boston
This Week’s Question: What are your thoughts on the Boston Marathon? Have you, are you or do you plan to, run the Boston Marathon? What do you think of the new regulations?
I love to watch, read and hear stories about this prestigious race. I have not and don’t plan to run this race. In fact, I don’t plan to run a marathon. (I think I’ll stick to half marathons. That training is time consuming ernough!!) If I do, ever, it will be NYC or one in Florida.
I do feel bad for those would would have qualified but now with the new regulations can’t.
Last week update:
My goal was 24 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of 25 miles. YAY!!
I ran my first 5 mile race.
I didn’t play tennis at all and did Yoga once.
This was Week #10 of my 2nd Half Marathon training. Less than 2 weeks to go! YIKES!
Goals for this week:
This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Wed – Mentors mtg after work
Thurs – Dean’s farewell party
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – USTA tennis match
Sun – File our taxes!!
This week’s running:
Tues – 3 miles before work
Wed – 3 miles after work
Thurs – 4 miles after work
Sun – 9 miles
Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon
Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles
Happy Running!
Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:
This Week’s Topic: Building Mileage
This Week’s Question: Regardless of the distance you train for, or whether it be road racing or triathlon, training is time consuming. What are your tricks for fitting all your training into your schedule? How do you balance family, friends, work and training?
Balance is the hardest part of running, especially if you are training for a long race. I have to fit in tennis contracts, tennis matches, yoga, work, appts, mah jongg, my mentee, my friends, and my hubby.
I plan all my running for the week on Monday. I post my running schedule on my blog. It keep me accountable.
I arrange my running around my life and my life around my running.
So far, I have luckily been able to do it all.
However, you have to be realistic and flexible. So sometimes, the running part gets cut short because other things are more important.
Last week update:
My goal was 24 miles and I ran 5 times for a total of 24 miles. YAY!!
I played tennis once and did Yoga once.
This was Week #9 of my 2nd Half Marathon training. 3 weeks to go!
Goals for this week:
This week’s schedule:
Mon – dentist
Wed – yoga
Thurs – meet bf at the mall
Fri – OFF from Work, mah jongg
This week’s running:
Tues – 4 miles after work
Wed – 3 miles after work
Fri – 12 miles
Sun – Delmar Dash 5 mile race
Weekly Running Goal = 24 miles
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon
Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles
Happy Running!
So true!
As I struggle with the weather and time commitments, I know that I must train if I want to run another half marathon. I also know that my training runs are always my worst runs. I can’t run fast. I can’t run without stopping. But somehow when I get to the start line of a race, I can run at a decent consistent pace and I can run without stopping. It is this enthusiam that will get me to the finish line of my next race (first 5 miler) and my 2nd half marathon.
Yesterday, I struggled with the wind and my weariness and ran a slow 4 miles. At least, I had negative split times. Before yoga, I plan to do the same today (It’s supposed to be warmer & less windy). Then hopefully again tomorrow before our forecasted snowstorm. Yes, I said snowstorm!!!!!!!!
Happy Running and Happy Training!
Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:
This Week’s Topic: Race Reports
This Week’s Question: Do you enjoy writing your race reports? Do you use them later for reference?
Yes, Yes!!! I’m getting better at it too. I’m adding more details and photos so they will be more helpful if I run the same race again. They help me reflect on the experience and if it was a good one, prolong the endorphins 🙂
Yes, I read the past ones and use them to see what my time was, if the course was hilly and if it was crowded, etc. It even helps me decide if I want to run that race again.
Last week update:
My goal was 21 miles and I ran 5 times for a total of 18.5 miles.
I ran a 5K race. (finished under 30 min)
I played tennis 3x and did Yoga once.
This was Week #8 of my 2nd Half Marathon training. 4 weeks to go!
Goals for this week:
This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Wed – yoga
Thurs – movie
Fri – hair appt & mah jongg
This week’s running:
Tues – 4 miles after work
Wed – 3 miles before work
Thurs -4 miles after work
Fri – 2 mi before work
Sun – 11 miles
Weekly Running Goal = 24 miles
March Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race, hm training
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon
Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles
Happy Running!
It’s my Blogoversary!!! Three years of Blogging = Three years of Running!
I started this blog to keep track of my running and to motivate myself to continue running until I ran my first 5k. But I got hooked on blogging and I got hooked on running…
So here are some photo highlights of my 3 years:
Happy Running! Happy Blogging!
My First 5K and More... 
