January 14, 2016 by Darlene

My Favorite Instagram Posts of 2015 & TOLT

I love Instagram. (If you don’t yet, please follow me @dsc59)

So I took Amanda (from Run to the Finish)’s idea and am sharing my favorite Instagram photos of 2015-

January

jan

This is from my half marathon in Florida where I surprisingly had a PR and AG award. I love it because I may never be that fast again and winning an award in a half is tough.

February

feb

It’s challenging using the timer on my iphone so I just propped it against the fence on the ground and only got my feet (They’re the most important part, right?)

March

mar

I was sad that my flight to Palm Springs got cancelled and I missed running a race with my friend. But running on this trail made up for it. I loved it there!!

April

april

We had a long winter in the NE so I was happy to be running without a jacket and wearing my SportSkirts running skirt. Being selected as an Ambassador Captain for this company is one of the highlights of my year!

May

may

This is my favorite race and the only race that I’ve run every year (even after ankle surgery in 2012.) As you can tell, it’s all women – all ages, all paces – so empowering.

June

jun

Ice cream is my favorite food. To be able to have a root beer float after a hot sweaty run = priceless (especially with the cows as my witnesses.)

July

july

I met Judy through Facebook and although she thinks she is too slow for me, she has gotten me through many a long run. I like this pic because my car is in it and that guy in red running behind us.

August

aug

The Crossings is one of my favorite places to run after work in the summer. And also I think this picture makes me look fast. Ha Ha!

September

sept

This was at the end of a long run while training for my October half marathon. I asked Judy (my photographer) to wait so it would look like I chicked those guys. LOL.

October

oct

This was taken after my painful RNR Brooklyn Half Marathon. I turned around and saw someone whom I had taught when I was a high school French teacher many moons ago. What a treat!

November

nov

While picking up my bib for the Stockade-athon 15k race, I met Frank Shorter. He signed my bib and I swear that he brought me luck since I did PR at the race the next day.

December

dec

We were very lucky to have a pretty mild December. This was taken on one of my favorite new places to run – a rail trail that was recently paved. It’s beautiful (especially the bridges). If only you weren’t running uphill on the way back.

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

So how do you take pictures to post on Instagram? How do you prop up your phone??? (BTW: I hate selfies. Too old to have a camera that close to my face!!)

Happy Running! Are you on Instagram? If so, let me know & I’ll follow you.

January 7, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: One Word , a New Half, Winter & Long Runs

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

What I am thinking about today is…

My One Word for 2016.

The My One Word approach is popular every year.

If you’ve never heard about it, here is a summary:

Lose the long the list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick one word. This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.

2014 was the first time that I tried it.

My word was:

In 2015, the word that I chose was:

This year, I am picking:

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is “a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.”

Why did I choose Gratitude?

Expectations lead to disappointments.

As runners, I think (myself included) we focus too much on mileage totals, PRs, bling, etc. And we expect to improve or run at a certain pace and when we don’t, we get depressed or even stressed.

Especially as we age, we need to concentrate on being thankful that we CAN run.

How will I focus on my word?

Be more positive.
Post more about the good things that happened during a race or a run.
Run & race happy.
Forget those PR and pace goals.
Volunteer more.
Thank those who make races possible.

Half Marathon #18

I am also thinking about a dear friend who had a mastectomy on Tuesday. It is her 3rd bout with breast cancer (& 2nd in 2 years.) She is strong. She is optimistic. I am confident that because of these qualities, she will beat this terrible disease.

So I made the impromptu decision to run another half marathon – one in her honor.

March 13, 2016

It is very hilly. It is only a 5 weeks after my Florida half. But these tough 13.1 miles will be nothing compared to the pain that my friend has endured.

clelevation

Winter

Dec 24:

Jan 5:

Amazing!

I HATE the cold. But I hate the treadmill more.

So yesterday after work, I braved the cold and ran outside. I was cold but I survived. It wasn’t so bad and I felt really “badass” when I was done. I warmed up at Starbucks where the barista remarked “You run when it’s this cold!?” And I responded “Yes, I do!”

Long Runs

But what do you do when the weather doesn’t cooperate?

sat-sun

I had planned to race (10K) on Sunday and add more miles on afterward to complete 10 miles total.

I don’t want to run 10 miles IN THE RAIN!!!

So I could change to do my 10 miles on Saturday (before the rain and if there is no ice and snow on the ground from Friday night). That means that I would rest on Friday (with Thursday also being my rest day) and on Sunday, skip the race or only run the 3 mile option. Or I could run on Friday and skip my long run since I did run 10 miles last Saturday and run 11 miles next weekend.

Decisions, decisions, decisions..

Happy Running! If you were to choose ONE word for your focus throughout this year, what word would you choose? Anyone else running this half marathon? Do you run outside in the colder temps? Does the weather get it the way of your long runs or do you run in any conditions? What are you thinking about today?

December 24, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Holidays, New Running Routes & BitMoji

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Tonight is Christmas Eve even though weather-wise it feels like spring.

I plan to squeeze in a run today between the rain drops. Tonight we’ll probably spend a quiet evening home (I’m Jewish & my hubby doesn’t care much for the holidays) or maybe I can talk him into dinner out and a movie.

Tomorrow morning, my hubby will open his gifts (I bought my own so no excitement there) and then head to play Santa with my mentee & her sons (I can’t wait to have GRANDKIDS!!)

2014

2013

2012

I’ve been mentoring Amanda for 7 1/2 years but I won’t bore you with ALL my annual Christmas Photos.

After playing Santa, my hubby & I will go to my MIL’s house for dinner. My SIL, BILs and 2 stepsons will be there also. It’ll be an Italian dinner with lasagna and the trimmings (probably cannoli for dessert – maybe I should squeeze in a run in the morning??)

After dinner, I plan to visit my BFF whose daughter is visiting from CA.

I usually participate in a blogger card exchange but this year, I forgot to sign up. So here you go, fellow running bloggers:

Speaking of running, I don’t know about you but I get tired of running along the same streets or same paths.

To get me motivated (especially when the weather isn’t perfect), I need a new route.

Last year, I ran a lot on the unpaved rail trail near where I live.

20110602-RailTrail-Sign

It is unpaved for almost 2 miles so it’s good for an after work 4 miler.

Then this year, they paved the rest of the rail trail going 3.5 miles in the opposite direction.

It is my new favorite place to run and I’ve run on it several times but on Sunday, I was ready for something new.

So I parked my car near where the unpaved trail ended and ran the rest of the unpaved trail.

It is a little narrow in parts.

But has interesting features

and views.

Several bridges (I love bridges.)

At 3.5 miles, I turned around. I think it was the end. I will explore more next time.

I have a new obsession – BitMoji!

Anyone else?

I used this one last Friday.

It’s still a work in progress. I’m not sure it even looks like me. But it’s a fun stress reliever.

Happy Running! What are your holiday plans? Do you vary your running routes often?

December 16, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word & EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon Post Race Report

I rushed to my hotel to take a shower and tried to rid those negative half marathon thoughts out of my head (and have a stress-free rest of the vacation.)

You know the ones.

What could I have done differently?

Did I walk too much the day before?
Maybe I should eaten dinner the night before?
Was it really the weather or was it me?
What would have happened if I pushed myself harder?
Is my 2:09 finish a one time thing?

Anyway, my friend G picked me up at the hotel and I was so happy to see her. Normally she is in Fla from January to April but this year, she arrived early because her mother died.

We drove to her house in Jupiter, dropped off my luggage and quickly headed out before the predicted rain.

We decided to visit the Jupiter Lighthouse. I LOVE lighthouses (this is my 3rd Fla lighthouse climb) and G & her hubby had never been.

still cloudy but very warm

We took the required tour. It was interesting.

just had to take a pic.

Then we climbed the stairs to the top. Yes, 140 steps after running 13.1 miles. (Oddly, my legs didn’t even feel like I ran at all .)

we made it – yes, the worst hair pic ever – it was the wind. I swear!

And it was worth it for the view.

After the tour, we had lunch (I was starving!) at a restaurant on the water opposite the lighthouse.

yummy!! shrimp po boys & shrimp flatbreads

We drove around for a while but then it started to rain so we headed back. We spent the evening inside chatting & eating dinner with one of G’s old friends. (I met her on my last visit and we got along great.)

After raining all night, it was not raining when I got up the next morning. I took advantage and went out to see if my legs still worked. They did and I did a slow run/walk around G’s community.

even made some new friends

When I got back, we had breakfast and headed out to the beach. Not to sit in the sun. It was cloudy and windy but still awesome.

We walked for quite a while. There is nothing better than warm salted water for a runner’s feet.

aaaahhhh!

Next up, we decided to go to Loggerhead Marinelife Center which they keep rescued turtles. We saw 9. Cool but sad that these turtles are here because they are injured or sick.

It wasn’t raining yet but it was windy so we drove to Blowing Rocks Preserve. The water was blowing but it wasn’t high tide enough to see the maximum effect. Still nice.

There are also some nice trails here.

Two more stops and then it would be time to have a late lunch and head to the airport.

We stopped at a thrift shop. Not that I needed anything but I bought 2 Nike tennis skirts – $3 each. Score. Then on to Starbucks for a drink & souvenir.

Every time I go to Florida, I forget to buy a mug. Now I have one to add to NY, Moscow & California. ( I also forgot to buy NJ, PA, VT & CO – I’ll just have to go back!)

So maybe my race didn’t go as planned. And the weather wasn’t ideal. Still, I’d call this trip a success.

my best souvenir

Since it is Wednesday, I’m linking up with Deb from Deb Runs.

Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This week’s Word is STRESSFUL.

Unfortunately, race-cations are great but they can be stressful.

There’s a lot that could go wrong:

travel arrangements
accommodations
fueling
race logistics
weather conditions
the race itself
aches & pains (or injuries)
recovery

A lot of this, you can’t control and you have to accept that.

For the most part, things went well (except for my performance & the weather) for my past half marathon.

Here are some suggestions for minimizing this stress:

Be prepared for last minute changes in weather.

Bring a shirt for a warmer forecast and one for a cooler one. Bring a rain poncho & an umbrella. Of course, bring throw away clothes.

Bring your race morning breakfast.

I never count on that a friend or hotel will have what I usually eat. I bring packets of oatmeal and tea. (Don’t forget a cup, bowl & spoon.)

Print important information for packet pickup & the race start.

I have everything on my iPhone but you never know…when it won’t work or the battery dies.

If you are flying, pack race essentials in your carry-on.

What if your luggage gets lost….

Plan to arrive at least 2 days before the race.

Of course, you’ll have time to relax. And if you car breaks down or your flight is cancelled, you won’t miss your race. (Yes, it happened to me last March and June.) Plus you can do some sightseeing. Visiting a new place is one of the perks of a destination race!!

Do fun things that are NOT running-related.

Before the race, it’ll keep you busy and take your mind off of worrying about everything that could go wrong. And after the race, if the race didn’t go well, it’ll lift your spirits.

Happy Running! Is running stressful? How do you relieve the stress?

December 10, 2015 by Darlene

TOLT: EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon Pre-Race Report

So I’ll keep you in suspense about my recent half marathon a few days longer….

Last Friday, I left the not so frigid Northeast and hoped for smooth flights to West Palm Beach, Fla.

And the weather cooperated. I left Albany at 5:30 am for DC (my co-worker’s daughter was on the same flight) and then took another flight which arrived in West Palm at around 11:30 am. Both flights were on-time. (This isn’t normal for me.)

I packed very light for this trip and only had a carry on and a back pack. (My hubby couldn’t believe it.)

As soon as I arrived, I found my friend F who was picking me up.

It has been raining all night and all morning (and was predicted to do the same for my 4 days in Fla.) but miraculously, the rain had stopped.

We immediately headed to the expo so I could pick up my bib.

It was outdoors. There wasn’t much to buy but a lot of health-related booths with freebies & raffles – rain poncho, sunglasses, band aids, tape measure, etc.

loved that we got champagne and a gender-specific tech shirt

I was tempted to buy a race cap but it was $25 and I decided to wait to see if I had a good race. (Spoiler alert: I DID NOT!!)

Since it still hadn’t started raining yet, we went to the beach. This is a priority with me when I go to Florida.

wearing my new free glasses & my travel clothes

It was warm but cloudy so I just walked along the beach with the feet in the water while F collected shells.

Next stop was to have lunch. We drove back to Delray Beach where F lives and chose a restaurant with a view of the water where we could eat outside.

we shared fish tacos & flatbreads

Our meal was delicious. I loved being outdoors watching the big boats go by.

After lunch, we walked around the town of Delray Beach and eventually returned to F’s condo where I would be spending the night.

F had dinner plans but that was perfect because I wanted to visit with another good friend who lived nearby.

The rain finally arrived (and lasted all night) but I didn’t care at this point.

My friend M picked me up and took me to her house. We ordered pizza & salad and spent the whole evening chatting. Since M has retired, she has taken up jewelry making and she is really good. (I just had to buy 3 bracelets!!)

I got up early the next morning and it was only drizzling. I took advantage and went for a long walk around her community. F lives on a golf course and it is a very pretty place to walk.

foreboding skies

some friendly ducks…there are swans too.

As soon as I finished my walk, the skies open up and it continued to rain all day.

What did we decide to do?

Shop, what else?

F lives near a huge flea market.

yay! mah jongg store!

We spent hours there walking around. And I only bought one thing.

It was still raining when we left and we were starved (I am supposed to be carb loading, right?) so we found (an indoor) restaurant. It was about 3 pm when we actually had lunch.

All of sudden, the rain stopped.

I love animals and the wildlife sanctuaries are also on my list of things to do while in Fla so we quickly headed to at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

umbrella in hand, just in case

photographer extraordinaire

We saw lots of birds but apparently the alligators and turtles like the sun. And we didn’t see any. My friend F has a great camera and took really nice photos:

Since it still wasn’t raining (though it looked like it would at any moment), we headed to wildlife refuge #2 – Green Cay. More birds!!

another one of F’s photos

12308065_10207146180946776_1012368104880446510_o

an iguana in a tree – how cool!

We had to leave since the sun was setting and it was getting dark.

As soon as we were done, it started to pour again. I was very lucky. And I really enjoyed walking through both parks.

Off to West Palm we went so I could check into my hotel.

Hotel Biba

I picked this hotel because it was very cheap. No sense paying for a hotel that I would only sleep in.

It was a very old hotel that was completely redone – ultra modern on the inside. But it had all the basics – clean, shower, wifi, TV, free breakfast, pool, etc.

lobby

I had the hotel call me a cab for 5:15 am the next morning. (I could have walked but in the dark not knowing where I was going made it seem like a bad idea.)

My room was small so I hung out in the lounge for a while. Since I had a late lunch, I wasn’t hungry at all. So I made some oatmeal and then went to bed early.

Stay tuned for the race recap…

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Happy Running! What are you thinking about this Thursday? Any interesting pre-race-cation experiences to share?

December 3, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking out Loud Thursday: Half Marathon #16

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

The only thing on my mind is my half marathon on Sunday!!!

Of course, there are many things to worry about…

Travel delays… (and I’ve had my share.)

I leave tomorrow at 5:30 am and arrive in West Palm around 11:30 am. My friend F. will meet me at the airport. We’ll go to the expo and pick up my bib. Then we’ll drive back to her place in Delray. I’ll spend Friday & Saturday in Delray relaxing.

last January in Delray but I relaxed POST race which is much more desirable

bird watching at Wakodahatchee

On Saturday evening, I am meeting my friend M. & her hubby for dinner and they’ll drive me to my hotel in West Palm.

at dinner last January

Logistics of getting to the race

My hotel is 1.6 miles from the race. I’m not sure if I am walking or catching a cab. The race begins at 6:30 am. I am excited that someone I know is also running this race. I’ll be glad to see a friendly face, Judith. (At least before & after. During. Nope. She will smoke me if though she’s just doing it as a training run for her upcoming marathon.)

Weather on Race Day

I was very lucky on my 3 previous Florida races. For all 3, the weather was PERFECT (dry, cool & sunny). Usually Florida is very humid and it could be warm. Or it could be rainy and windy. It’s out of my control. Fingers crossed on this.

However, so far, it’s looking like WARM, HUMID, WINDY & WET!!!! (for all 4 days that I’m there 😦 )

In fact, I was listening to the weather today and they said that there would a front stalled over the east coast of Florida and would drop as much rain there this weekend as they normally get in the whole month. Lovely thought!

My friends here say DON’T GO!! Would you bail?

What to wear?

First World Problem, right?

Well, it depends on the weather.

I’ll be checking a jacket (& umbrella) from before the race. Most likely, I’ll wear a tank & skirt. No Hokas this time but my Nikes.

tough decision but chose exotic print & peekaboo skirt from Skirtsports (for the next one in Feb, I’ll wear the tantrum print)

How I feel during the race itself

Will my lower back hurt? How long will it take for my feet to hurt?

I will try to relax and enjoy the race no matter what how long it takes me to finish.

My friend G. will meet me after the race at the finish line or hotel and we’ll drive to her place in Jupiter. I will spend the rest of Sunday & then Monday recuperating in Jupiter.

last January walking along the beach in Jupiter

G. will drive me to the airport in West Palm. My flight leaves around 5 pm on Monday. (If it is cancelled, I will not be sad.)

Race Goals?

I won’t go into my past half marathon experiences again. You can read about them HERE.

This race was a spur of the moment decision. I got an email and it fit into my 15k training schedule.

And now the time has arrived. So here’s what I hope for:

A. Finish under 2:18
B. Finish faster than Brooklyn (2:25:47)
C. Finish under 2:30
D. Finish upright and wanting to do another.

I hope that I am this happy when I am done 🙂

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

Have a nice weekend. I’ll be back posting again on Tuesday.

November 19, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Races, Runs, Thanksgiving, etc.

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Two More Long Runs before my next half marathon (on Dec 6.)

It seems like I was just getting ready for run my last one (Oct 10) and now, my next one is almost here. How did that happen?

So this weekend, my run will be 12 miles! My longest distance before the race.

Although I’ve finished 15 half marathons, I still worry about completing the distance. I also struggle when I run alone. So I’m not looking forward to it.

Then next weekend, there’s just 8 miles.

Two More Races before my next half marathon

first annual – 11-21-15

I have a 5k this weekend. Normally, I would pass on this one because of the long run mentioned above. But I have been involved in this organization so I want to support them. The girl that I am training and all the others in the STEM program) are running their 1st 5k. Some of my co-workers are running their first 5k too.

Yup, I gotta do this race.

Do I race it?

Or swallow my pride and help the others finish?

I am looking forward to this 10k on Thanksgiving. Since I started running, I’ve almost always (except 2008 & 2012) run a race on Thanksgiving morning. It’s the best part of the holiday (and I love food!!)

I used to run the local 5ks but last year I joined a training group for the 10k. I enjoyed it so I joined the same group this year. I PRed at last year’s race but I don’t think I’ve been as dedicated to my training so we will see what happens.

yes, it snowed last year. Hopefully not this year.

I am also toying with running the 5k after the 10k race. The 10K is at 8 am and the 5k at 10 am. The 5k is the big race – thousands run it. I have friends running the 5k so it might be fun to run this one just for fun. I am already there and dressed to run.

What do you think?

Then there’s Thanksgiving...

I LOVE Thanksgiving food…

What I miss most is cooking my favorite recipes….squash leek soup, stuffed turkey, sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce and homemade pumpkin pie.

yum!!

double yum

My husband’s family is complicated. Mine is non-existent. So this year, we’re on a wait and see what my MIL is planning. We may just go to a restaurant and then visit her or friends for dessert after.

What are you planning? Are you running a Turkey Trot? Are you cooking?

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today? Please Share.

November 12, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday; Backache, Yoga, Racecations and More…

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

My Achy Back

My lower back aches frequently. Especially when sitting a long time (in cars, buses, movie seats, etc.) I sit all day at my job but I can get up and move around.

The only time, it hurt when I’ve run is during my last half marathon and it hurt during the last 4 miles…so much that I thought about DNFing.

It felt ok during my 15K on Sunday but then it started aching at night.

I wondered whether or not I was injured and should I scale back my running?

I didn’t. I ran on Monday and then again yesterday. And I didn’t feel any worse … it still felt off and achy.

Yoga

I actually love yoga. I suck at it. I have zero flexibility but I feel good after I take a yoga class.

my best pose – this home thing last 2 days, I think

Yes, I know you don’t have to pay money to do yoga but I have zero motivation to do things at home.

that’s me and Lisa (up front)

I used to go to a class every Wednesday. I loved my instructor Lisa and I am picky about yoga teachers. I need someone who understands that everyone is not at the same level and offers different ways of doing each move.

Well, Lisa got Lyme disease and then she got a job somewhere else. So I stopped going.

A year ago, I went again and I liked Maria, the new instructor but I just couldn’t get myself to go.

Yesterday, I had the day off. I had run, done all my errands. I had no excuses… so I went to yoga class. (I even bought a 5 card pass to motivate myself to go back.)

When Maria started the class, she announced that the focus of the class was the LOWER BACK and to strengthen those muscles.

Whoa! Does she have ESP or what?

And believe it or not, last night my back felt GREAT! That achy feeling was gone. Amazing!

So I am not injured!!! 🙂

Day Off

We have had a great Fall. Lots of warm weather and sunshine. Unfortunately, I am lazy about about getting up early and I work so I have had to run after work …in the dark.

I was excited to have had a day off to run during the day.

But it was cloudy and drizzly all day.

So dreary, it felt like evening. DARN!

Racecation

With THREE weeks until my racecation, I finally started planning. Here’s how things stand:

Arrive Friday in West Palm, take shuttle to expo and pick up bib.
My friend F. will meet me there and we’ll drive back to her place in Delray
Spend Friday & Saturday in Delray
Meet my friend M. for dinner Saturday and she’ll drive me to my hotel in West Palm
Half Marathon Sunday!!!! 6:30 am.
My friend G. will meet me at the race or hotel and we’ll drive to her place in Jupiter
Sunday & Monday in Jupiter
G. will drive me to the airport in West Palm on Monday

I’m hoping for an early snowstorm so I will be stranded in Florida for an extra day…much too short a vacation!!

Half Marathon

Speaking of my next half, I haven’t figured out a training schedule yet. But I think it maybe too late now.

I ran 13.1 miles on October 10 so I guess I thought that would hold me over until Dec. 6. But all of a sudden it’s almost taper time and I don’t have a plan.

I did run 9.4 miles on Sunday. What’s next?

The usual 2-3 easy runs on weekdays.

Nov 14 – 11 miles
Nov 21 – 5k race + 9 miles
Nov 28 – 8 miles (or 5k race + 5 miles)

So now I have a plan.

Races

This memory from 5 years ago popped up on my FB page.

I ran a 5K race on Veteran’s Day. It was my FIRST age group award.

My friend Holly tried to talk me into running a 5K yesterday. I said “Maybe.”

Thank God when I woke up, it was raining and I changed my mind.

Of course, then I looked at the results and I would have won an AG award.

Does anyone else do that? Check the AG awards on races that you didn’t run to see if you would have won??

That Red Cup

I love Starbucks. Does anyone care that the cup isn’t Christmasy enough?

I did like the fall one better …

but who cares. Really?

There’s isn’t a Chanukah cup, is there?

this was a hoax in 2008

Age?

I feel a little narcissistic with yesterday’s post. I didn’t expect readers to compliment me on how I didn’t look my age. But thanks. Much appreciated.

The goal was to show younger runners that age is just a number and it shouldn’t define what you are able to do.

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

November 5, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Speedwork, Fall & Another Race

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Can I really get faster?

I’ll be honest, the only time, I sprint is if I am running through the finish line …. until this past Monday.

Last year, I joined the Turkey Trot Training group and the Freihofer’s Training group. I ran with the group on Mondays. But I never really did the drills correctly. I ran with my friends and we chatted. Most of the time, I was in the midst of training for a long race so speed work was not a good idea the day after a long run or the day after a half marathon. And when there is a large group of people, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. I do, however, think that running up the hills made me stronger last fall and even faster.

This fall, we just switched locations and there are no hills. And on Monday, only 3 people showed up from my group. Oh no!!

Our coach, Patrick’s plan was for a warm up and then 4 minutes fast, 2 minute jog, repeated 4 times followed by a cool down (4 miles total)

There was no room to hide. But I tried.

The first 4 minutes, I ran kinda fast and was in the middle of the 3 runners. Patrick was running with the fastest runner.

The 2nd 4 minutes, I was slowing down and Patrick noticed. Oh shit!

He lectured me and told that I wasn’t even breathing hard and that I could do better. Of course, I complained that I was old & tired but he was hearing nothing of it. We compromised and I said I would sprint for the last minute of the 4 minutes. And I did. I ran so fast that I thought I would puke (and 1 minute can sometimes seem like forever.)

Well, Patrick was impressed but that meant that he expected me to do it again. And I did and I didn’t die.

He said that I was strong and could get faster if I put in the effort.

Probably true.

Would I do this if I were running alone? Probably not!

Will I run like this when the other runners show up next week? We’ll see.

Am I the only one who doesn’t do speed drills & just runs for fun??? (I guess that’s why coaches are important.)

Fall has been awesome.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE summer!! But they said that because we had such as dry summer, the fall foliage would be disappointing.

They were wrong.

I’m not complaining but it’s been warm enough to wear skirts to run!!

This is how I dressed today…

72 degrees on November 5th.

The thing I don’t like is that now it gets dark so early!!! I have to find new places to run (with lights.)

Guess what? I have a race this weekend. No surprise. It’s a 15k so it even fits right in with my half marathon training.

This is my fourth time running this 15k race. It is the 40th anniversary of one of the oldest 15ks in the country and Frank Shorter will be there running it. So I am pretty excited. (It’s not NYC but cool for upstate NYS.)

My first time running this race was in 2011. I was injured in 2012 and didn’t run it. I ran it in 2013 and was disappointed with my finish time.

my fake happy face

Last year, they changed the course. It started and ended in downtown Schenectady rather than in Central Park.

Well, I loved the new course and finished the race with a new PR!!

However, this year, I have been either training for my half marathon in October or the upcoming one in December. My long runs have been slooooow! I don’t even feel ready to run 9.3 hilly miles but I need to be since I’ll be running 13.1 in 3 weeks!!!!

So I do not expect a PR but I just want a decent long run (and not get INJURED!!)

Race Goals:

A: Finish under 1:35 (my PR is 133:23)
B: All miles between 9 and 11 minutes.
C: Finish happy and healthy.

Happy Running! What are thinking about today?

October 29, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: So much to do & so little time

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

I am going to NYC early tomorrow and coming home late Saturday.

The purpose of this trip to NYC is to run the NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K on Saturday morning.

8:30 am Oct 31, 2015

Originally, I thought that I had so much time….

I was wondering what I was going to do all day Friday and then all day Saturday… by myself.

Now I have so many things planned that there isn’t enough time…

FRIDAY:

Check my bag in Macy’s. (~9:30 am)

If you ever go to NYC, there is a free bag check in the basement at 34th & Broadway. Of course, I’ll want to leave Macy’s right away and not be tempted to shop.

Italian Food Tour of NYC (12- 2 pm)

I found a great Groupon for this…

Immerse yourself in the food and culture of one of New York’s most colorful neighborhoods, Little Italy, and sample some of the best Italian food in NYC. Hear the stories behind the historic Italian landmarks that defined the immigrant experience at the turn of the 20th Century. Every delicatessen, bakery and pizza shop on The Italian Food Tour Of New York is over 100 years old! (All food is included, 4 course lunch on the go.)

ITINERARY:

Parisi Bakery Frank Sinatra considered himself addicted to their prosciutto infused bread, as have many others over the past 103 years since this bakery opened!

Alleva Dairy The oldest cheese shop in America, this still family-owned and operated shop whips up 4,000 pounds a week of the freshest mozzarella and ricotta you’ll ever taste!

Lombardi’s Pizza America’s oldest pizzeria! Their 106 year old coal oven still impresses locals, tourists, and international foodies alike

Ferrara Bakery Lucky for you, your tour guide has line jumping privileges. The line to this bakery has been one of the longest in New York since 1892!

Movie Locations Being Little Italy you’ll recognize locations from films like The Godfather, Donnie Brasco, Mean Streets, Serpico, and even Sex and the City!

Curb Exchange The bootlegging depot of New York during the Prohibition era. See where all the deals went down, and find out what happened when they fell through…

Petrosino Square The public space named after New York’s first Italian detective, who took on the five points gangs in a fight to the death!

Old St. Patrick’s Cathedra The first Catholic Church in New York, this 200 year-old has hosted many high profile film productions, weddings, and memorial services. Take a look inside, you’ll be wowed!

Get to the NYC Marathon pavilion (at some point, maybe??)

The brand-new TCS New York City Marathon Pavilion will be open to runners, race supporters, and the public. It’ll serve as an entertainment hub and welcome center for this incredible race. The state-of-the-art space, located at Tavern on the Green, features a beautiful glass structure with a bar and café catered by the wonderful chefs of the Tavern on the Green. It also includes official TCS New York City Marathon merchandise and lots of running-related programming.

9:00–11:00 a.m. Kathrine Switzer Book Signing Meet the author and purchase Marathon Woman in the book signing area.

2:00 p.m. Movie Trailer Screening: Tracktown Including a special appearance by filmmaker and famed runner Alexi Pappas.

Go to the EXPO to get my race packet.

It’s at the Javits Center and it’s for the NYC Marathon, as well. I need to hold back on the buying but we’ll see what I find that I want and don’t need.

Pick up my bag at Macy’s
Check into my room. (6 pm)

It’s on 38th & 9th. I reserved it through AirBnB. Since it went so well when I ran the RNR Brooklyn Half, I am not nervous about this one.

Pre-race Dinner nearby

SATURDAY:

Get to the race start. (7:30 am)

It starts at the UN and there will be probably around 15,000 runners. Unfortunately, bag check is at the end (Central Park) so I guess I will not be checking anything.

The RACE (8:30 am)

I am very excited about it. Hopefully it will not be raining or cold. I am asking for sunshine.

Brunch at Tavern on the Green (10:15 am)

I’ve eaten here years ago but then the restaurant closed. Now it’s open and I made reservations. So I will be eating in a fancy restaurant in my sweaty running clothes… How cool is that?

Run in Central Park

I plan to do at least 5 miles (along side all the marathoners doing their last pre-race run.) It will be a slow run since I will have just had a big meal but I looking forward to seeing the fall foliage in the park.