It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1.  I runfess…

I downloaded Hal Higdon’s Novice Marathon Training Plan.

As you can see below, I’ve already made so many changes to the plan.

Maybe I should just create my own. LOL

2.  I runfess…

In my last Coffee Date, I was debating on whether or not to switch my long run to a half marathon.

Since then I talked some of my friends into running this race with me and so I did register:

I just can’t resist a local race with friends.

last year’s crew

3. I runfess…

I was also debating on switching my race-cation half marathon to the 18 miler because that distance would fit better into my plan

I guess that I debated too long:

4. I runfess…

I had to skip my recent 5k due to transportation issues.

I was only a little disappointed.

Of course, I did check the results to see if I would have won an age group award… LOL

My time for this race has ranged from 27:xx to 29:xx. So I may have won… BUT

New for 2023: 

• Let’s Go Green: Help us make our races financially AND ecologically sustainable! We have spiffy Prospect Park-shaped medals … however they are the same medal as in 2022. If you have already received a medal in the past, we invite you to soak in the cheers at the awards ceremony, but turn down a medal.

so here I am with that same medal last year (and I was wearing coincidentally the same outfit this year) 

Hence no FOMO (and I did run 3.1 miles that evening.)

5. I runfess…

Last month I complained that the finish times in my recent 5k races were course PWs and that I needed to do some speed workouts if I wanted to get faster.

Of course, those speed workouts never happened but I am happy to report that although I didn’t PR at the recent Silks and Satins 5k, I did run it a little faster than in 2019.

2023

2019

So there’s still hope…

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

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It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

This month I do have a few GYMfessions too…

1.  I gymfess…

As I have mentioned before, one of the perks of mentoring or participating in the Freihofer Training Challenge was a 12 week FREE membership to the YMCA.

about 450 runners took part in the FTC

Yup, that was the main reason for my participation. And I did work out there faithfully most mornings before work.

2.  I gymfess…

The race mentioned above took place on June 3.

selfie with some other mentors

So that meant that my gym membership ended that day.

I got up early the Monday after the race and headed to the gym to inquire about joining.

The guy at the desk was busy so I just scanned my card and IT WORKED.

And I did my usual workout.

3. I gymfess…

Yes, I felt guilty. So on my way out, I informed the guy at the desk that the FTC membership was supposed to end on June 3 but my card still worked.

He checked the system and it said that it was good until JULY 1st!! Phew…

So I went back to my regularly scheduled gym workouts…

until July 1…

4. I gymfess…

Membership to the YMCA is pretty pricey but supposedly if I joined before June 18, they would at least waive the $100 sign-up fee.

Yup, I informed the guy at the desk of the deadline and he said that he would extend it for me until July 1.

Stay tuned…

Will I

5. I runfess…

because this is a RUNNIING BLOG (lol)

I had said that after I broke my foot and recovered, I would be happy just to run… my pace wouldn’t matter!

And it was and still is true for longer races.

However, I do admit that I was a little annoyed when I realized that I ran the Freihofer 5k race for a PW with around the same finish time as 10 years earlier WITH A BROKEN FOOT.

2023

2018

Well, something similar happened with a 5k race two weeks after: Valley Cats 5k.

2016: 28:47
2022: 28:43
2023: 29:11

I don’t know if I can run faster but I’m not giving up hope and may even do some speed work to prepare for the FRW and Valley Cats 5ks in 2024.

Happy Running! Anything to gym or runfess this month? Do you belong to a gym?  Are you still trying to run faster? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

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It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

Very happy to be running consistently again. You can’t RUNfess if you don’t run, right?

But this month, I actually started racing so these will be RACEfessions instead.

1.  I racefess…

I had decided to focus on recovery and training for my May half marathon.

But it sure was hard to pass up all those shorter races that I normally run each year…

Yes, I skipped 6 races.

2.  I racefess…

I planned on running the Tropicool 5k when I was in Florida.  I even paid for it.

It involved having a friend get up early to drive me to the start (after a late night out) and another to pick me up.

I just had zero mojo to do it this year.

So my $$ went to their charity and I ran in the ‘hood instead.

3. I racefess…

Each year, I’ve done this race, I’ve placed in the Grand Master Category.

My previous finish times have been: 29:07, 28:14, 27:28, 27:31.

No surprise that I checked the results for this year:

I guess everyone has gotten slower, including ME!!

4. I racefess…

I will have to force myself to the start line because I am so over DNSing races that I’ve paid for.

• 06-03-23 – Freihofer Run for Women 5k
• 06-17-23 – Valley Cats 5k
• 06-24-23 – Adirondack 7M Race to the Lakes
• 07-04-23 – Firecracker 4
• 07-15-23 – Silks n Satins 5k
• 08-13-23 – Run for the Roses 5k

I’m in a new age group so my finish time should be slower, right? I need to toss my ego out the door.

5. I racefess…

I said, of course, that I just wanted my foot to heal and be able to run again. And that my snail’s pace did not bother me.

That being said, I was elated to finish the Brooklyn Half Marathon fast enough to qualify for the 2024 NYC Marathon.

I finished Brooklyn HM in 2:21:41

My running friends didn’t get in the 2023 lottery but they plan to run the NYC Marathon in 2024.  Now I’ll have the option to join them.

Happy Running! Anything to run or racefess this month? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

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It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1.  I runfess…

Though I created a 9 week training plan for the Brooklyn Half Marathon…

I didn’t exactly follow it.

My long runs were: 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 miles for the first 5 weeks (instead of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8).

Sorry. Not sorry.

2.  I runfess…

One of the reasons that I didn’t follow the plan was that I actually started running BEFORE March 20 (the day I got the x-ray that my foot had healed.)

Not a lot of miles but running here and there and the foot felt fine.

3. I runfess…

Another reason is that I will be in Florida for week 7’s long run.  It will be 90 degrees and humid.  There’s no way I will be running 12 miles in that weather.

there will be more tennis than running this week.

4. I runfess…

Of course I couldn’t resist signing up for my annual 5k race while I’m there.

Tropicool 5k in Naples, FL

I can guarantee that there will be NO podium finish this year…

But I’m just happy to be able to run….

5. I runfess…

I’ve been part of the Freihofer Training Challenge (TC) for years as a runner then as a Race Ambassador.  But through changes in leadership, it had become less useful to me.

This year, I thought that it would be a good idea to be a mentor and to support others who are running this race.

I may be one and done with this.

First they changed the location (farther away, boring path, NO restrooms) and then the Couch25k app that the Beginner group is supposed to use is no longer FREE.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1.  I runfess…

This may sound depressing but when I heard that my best friend from Junior High died (went to bed with a headache and never woke up), I decided CARPE DIEM and to sign up for that marathon while I am able.

and so I clicked:

2.  I runfess…

Last month, my hubby caught COVID (Sorry I didn’t post about it).

 He had a mild case and it didn’t interfere with my running/social schedule. 😉 and I never caught it!!!

3. I runfess…

Some runners enjoy running alone.  I don’t mind for short runs.

But more than 4 miles… I NEED company.

I am hoping I don’t regret having to run those 16, 18, 20 milers next Fall!!!

my companions for that dreaded 12 miler!!

So fingers crossed that a few of my local running friends get into the NYC marathon lottery.

4. I runfess…

I LOVE to race (as you probably know) and sign up for as many races as I can (in advance).  This was my plan for the next few months.  Those in BOLD are paid for but those in ITALICS are non-refundable, non-transferrable, only available through time qualifying or a lottery and expensive. The others are ones that I planned to run:

• • 02-19-23 – Publix Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon
  • 03-11-23 – Electric City 10k
  • 03-19-23 – United NYC Half Marathon
  • 03-26-23 – Shamrock Shuffle
  • 04-15-23 – Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon
  • 04-30-23 – Sasha’s Super Hero 5k
  • 05-07-23 – Tropicool 5k
  • 05-13-23 – Prospect Mountain Run
  • 05-18-23 – CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge (3.5m)
  • 05-20-22 – Brooklyn Half Marathon
  • 05-28-23 – Miles on the Mohawk 10 miler
  • 06-03-23 – Freihofer Run for Women 5k
  • 06-18-23 – Valley Cats Father’s Day 5k
  • 06-25-23 – Race to the Lakes 15k
  • 06-25-23 – Dodge the Deer 5k
  • 07-04-23 – Firecracker 4
  • 08-13-23 – Run for the Roses 5k

As in the last 10 years, my body has cooperated.

June 1, 2013 – my last serious injury!!

5. I runfess…

In addition to not liking to run alone, I don’t like to race alone. I am a well-known race enabler.  Just ask my friends.  And it is unfortunate when I talk them into signing up and sharing hotel rooms and I cannot run. (Details on this will be coming in the WRD on Sunday.)

Sherry & Stan (pictured right) signed up for those March, April and May half marathons due to my urging.)

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Anyone else enter the lottery for the NYCM 2023? Do you plan your racing schedule way in advance? Have injuries ever forced you to DNS a big race? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

And the FIRST one for this year!!

1.  I runfess…

With all the stuff going on in my job, my poor running friends have become my therapists.  Luckily they are great listeners and don’t complain.

2.  I runfess…

When you don’t know when you have to work and where, how can you schedule your runs?

3.  I runfess… 

I may have volunteered to work a week in NYC because I love to run in Central Park and would get to hang out with Cari.

4.  I runfess…

I am enjoying racing without a watch and running 1:1 intervals.

Ok, they are free races (and the fast local runners are there so no AG award would happen anyway.)

However, I like getting my long training runs done the day before rather than adding on miles before or after the race (as done in previous years).

long runs with my running buds

Plus it’s rewarding to be able to help out a friend (who’s returning to running after an injury.)

5. I runfess…

I keep toying with the idea of joining a gym… maybe Planet Fitness..

I had planned to check it out first…

A month has gone by and I have yet to do so…

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month?  Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

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It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

And the last one for this year!!

1.  I runfess…

I flunked Planksgiving.

I had good intentions and I started out strong. In fact, I planked for the first 12 days.

On November 13, there was the Stockadeathon 15k race…

And you what happens once you stop, it’s hard to start again.

And so I didn’t.

2.  I runfess…

Last month I admitted that I had a weakness for cute running shirts.

Actually I have a bigger obsession for calf sleeves.

I like to wear ones that match my outfit, and for each season or holiday…

St. Patrick’s Day and Thanksgiving covered.

Now I have three new pair:

3.  I runfess… 

I signed up for ALL FIVE races offered in Dec-Feb through a local racing club.

They are FREE, have age group awards and delicious food after… so why not??

Well, the races are on Sunday.  My running friends run on Saturday… the course is quite boring but there are usually three distances to choose from (the longer the distance, you more you loop).

First world problems…

I may walk on Saturday and then race on Sunday or run long on Saturday and fun run on Sunday… TBD

Winter Series #1 = “fun” run

4.  I runfess…

So with no half marathons scheduled for December and January, I’m losing my weekend long run mojo.

It’s hard to want to run double digits in the freezing cold, right?

brrrrr

I even considered signing up for the Fred LeBow Half Marathon again in NYC..

No, I didn’t sign up!!

At least I have one in February and March to train for.

5. I runfess…

Instead I signed up for half marathons in April, May (this one should be a Runfession but I’ll explain next Friday) and September:

April 15, 2023

May 20, 2023

September 23, 2023

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month?  Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

Join the link party!

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1.  I RUNfess… 

I am addicted to buying running tops.  Most of the race shirts don’t fit so…

I had to buy this one for my Thanksgiving race.

There may have been some other half price shirts in my cart, too.

2.  I RUNfess…

All the excitement about the NYC Marathon did give me FOMO.

So much so that I am thinking of signing up for 2023.

I have until until February to come to my senses.

3.  I RUNfess…

One reason to run it in 2023 is that I age up and my time from a 2022 NYRR half marathon would give me a guaranteed entry.

4.  I RUNfess…

If I do run it in 2023 (and that’s a big IF) and if I finish faster than 5:30 (a bigger IF but my 2019 time was 5:29), I could run it again in 2024.

memories from 2019

I have two friends interested in running it in 2024 too.

More FOMO.

5.  I RUNfess…

Nevertheless, I will be getting my NYC running fix with these two races:

another bucket list race checked off

Hopefully it will be a healthy re-do of 2019

Hooray for points and FREE hotel rooms.

Racing is not a cheap sport!!

Happy Running! Anything to RUNfess this month?  Please share!

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blog

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It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1.  I RUNfess… 

You know how they say “Never wear anything new on race day”?

I ordered these new Topos (Specters rather than Phantoms) and they were supposed to come after my last half marathon.

So I planned to test them out on a long run and wear them for my 15K and half marathon races in November.

But the shoes arrived early…

thumbs up… no worse than the shoes I was going to wear.

2.  I RUNfess…

I hate tapering.  Before a race, I get antsy and want to run even more.

The week before my last half marathon, I ran SIX days in a row!!

But I did take two days off before the race.

3.  I RUNfess…

I organized a college reunion in NYC …

We went out to lunch and then since we were all French majors, we visited The Little Prince exhibit at the Morgan Library.

because I wanted an excuse to run there. (I hope my friends don’t read this blog…)

fait accompli

4.  I RUNfess…

I will be limited on my NYC racing because I no longer work in the city and I’ve used up all my hotel points (unless anyone has any advice on cheap places to stay.)

So my last two stays will be in Dec for this race…

another bucket list race checked off

and in March for this one:

Hopefully it will be a healthy re-do of 2019

5.  I RUNfess…

I bought each of my running friends Maine Marathon mugs as Christmas gifts to motivate them as they trained for our recent race-cation in Maine (or maybe to selfishly have training partners..)

But I forgot to give the mugs to them.

I discovered them when I was packing for the trip so I brought them to Maine.

it became a race memento instead….

Happy Running! Anything to RUNfess this month?  Please share!

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blog

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1.  I RUNfess… 

I planned on going to the gym this month with my free membership.

You didn’t see any gymfies because I never went.

It seemed that in order to get the FREE one month, you had to join the YMCA and pay $100.

I told them it was false advertising and I refused to pay the $100 and hence…

no gym workouts for me 😦

2.  I RUNfess…

I scheduled my flu shot and COVID booster around my running.

I waited to get the flu shot until after my September 3 half marathon.

I waited to get my 3rd booster until after my September 10 5k race.

Of course, I was worried that if I got a reaction (which really was NOT important in the long run) would interfere with  my running schedule.

Nope, no reaction and was able to run right after BOTH shots!! Woo Hoo!

3.  I RUNfess…

I was not disappointed in my last half marathon finish time. It was almost identical to the same race a year prior (just 4 seconds faster.).

But I was annoyed at how painful the second half of the race was for me. It is not fun running in pain.

However, the next day, I didn’t feel ANY after effects.

Not sure what I will change for the next one on October 2. New shoes? Intervals? Nothing?

4.  I RUNfess…

Even though I complained about my lack of endurance during the last 7 miles of my last half marathon, my training long runs for the next one included TWO 5k races.

Oops! My bad.

5.  I RUNfess…

I am very excited about my next half marathon because it will be in Maine with 9 of my running buds.

We always have fun together and the race is just an excuse to take a vacation.

stay tuned for more jumping attempts

I also will meet up with Deborah who is running this race too.

Happy Running! Anything to RUNfess this month?  Please share!

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blog