My list is not about things that can be bought.

In fact it’s pretty personal but I’m sure that many runners can identify with some of my wishes:

• • Quick healing from injuries (especially broken bones.)

• • Dry roads and sidewalks in the Winter to walk/run on.

• • Races that offer a refund or free deferral. Those NYRR races are very expensive!!

• • Endurance that lasts even when you don’t race. IOW, my last run was 10 miles… can I pick up from there rather than starting over? LOL
  • Better sleep when you’re not running. (Hello Insomnia.)

• • No weight gain when you are not running (and eating ice cream. Just kidding)

• • I know people mean well, but please stop saying:  “At least it’s winter” or “You now have more time for other things.” (Running is my preferred activity and I love running/hiking/walking outdoors in all seasons.) Winter hiking is so beautiful.

❤ frozen waterfalls

Happy Running! So what’s on your list? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

In celebrating tomorrow’s International Women’s Day, our topic today is to discuss those women athletes whom we admire.

I decided, although I admire many female athletes, to focus on “older” women runners:

So my first pick would be Joan Benoit Samuelson. First women’s Olympic Games marathon champion.

If you have never watched this video, you must (with tissues nearby): Joan Benoit 1984

Joan qualified for the race 2 weeks after having knee surgery!!!

I actually met her a few years ago at the Freihofer Run for Women Expo. (I even got her autograph.)

I was also lucky enough to run with her when she came to Albany, NY back in 2012 to premiere her movie.

My second pick may not be someone everyone knows. She is not a former Olympian but she has also become one of my idol – Jeannie Rice.

This lady is 75 years old has been running for 40 years without a single injury. She holds the world and/or national record at every distance. (She just finished the Tokyo Marathon in 3:30!!)

She has run over 150 marathons and still runs at least 11-12 miles each day (6-8 marathons a year.)

If you have time, listen to her interview on this podcast and read her advice here.

I’d love to meet her sometime when I’m in Naples, FL.

Both of these older runners have not let age hold them back.  Obviously they have native ability but we know that just gets you so far.  I’d love to run with either one and hopefully their zest for life and running would rub off on me.

My third pick is Harriet Thompson. She was a cancer survivor who started to run marathons when she was 76 and ran the fastest time in a marathon for a woman over 90.

Unfortunately, she died at age 94 from a fall down a flight of steps while she was delivering birthday gifts at her retirement community.

Number 4: Julia Hawkins. Imagine starting to run at age 100!!  That’s exactly what Julia did and she has set many world records in her age group.

She is currently 106 and continues to run.

Of course I must add as number 5, my new hero, Betty Lindberg:

You can listen to her story on Ali’s podcast here.

Last but not least is Kathrine Switzer.  She is most well known for her famous run in the Boston Marathon in 1967. At the time, women were barred from competing in the race, so Switzer signed up under the name K.V. Switzer and she managed to complete the entire distance, even though the race director tried to pull her off the course.

running Boston in 2017

And now, at 76 years old, she is still running and inspiring women (including me) everywhere.

Happy Running! So which women athletes (or runners) do you admire? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

Still looking back on last year.

Today’s Topic is to list SIX favorites of 2022…

Here you go:

1.Thursday Night Trail (Walks)

These are free and organized by one of our local running organizations. Many folks run these trails but my friends and I last year walked them.  It was so fun to visit different locations each week, chat and often go out for dinner or ice cream afterward.

2. Monday Hikes

Starting in June, I changed my work schedule and so I was able to go hiking every other Monday.  I was lucky to have a friend to join me and we explored different scenic trails, mostly in MA.

3. October Race-Cation

This has become a tradition. Each fall, a group of my running friends and I rent a house for 4 days and run a race together.  In 2022, we traveled to Maine.

4. Local Races.

You all know how I love to race.  But my favorites are the ones nearby where I can share the experience with friends. 2022 was a great year for that… 34 races and over 20 were local.

5. Florida Getaways

I travel to Florida twice a year – in February to visit friends on the east coast and in May to play tennis on the west coast.

I get to see ocean sunrises on one trip and ocean sunsets on the other.

6. Boating and Reading

In the summer months, my hubby and I try to spend every Sunday on our boat on Lake George and my favorite activity is not swimming but to spend the day reading (in my orange chair)!!

Happy Running! So what are some of your favorites of 2022? Please share.

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

Obviously, as a runner, I’m looking forward to races…

especially a race in a new location – Finger Lakes, here I come!!

But more importantly:

• Good Health AND No Injuries.

• Scenic Hikes

• Runs with Friends

• Blogger Meet-Ups

• Outings with Non-Running Friends

• Vacations

• Lake Time

• Flowers

• Quality Family Time

• Good Books

Happy Running! What are you looking forward to this year?  Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

I know winter officially started back in December but I’m finally getting around to posting..

It seems that all my races this Winter will be ones that I have run in the past…

• As I’ve previously mentioned, I signed up for ALL five free club sponsored races.  This year, however, the shorter distance has been changed to a 5.5k.

• For the 2nd time, I will be running the A1A Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon on Feb. 19. I hope to meet up with blogger Jenny.

• Twice, I ran this race as a 5 miler

but for this year, the race has been changed to a 10k (Hopefully the weather will be better than last year.)

• I will be running the NYC Half Marathon for the 2nd time. In addition to two of my local running friends also running it, I plan to meet up with bloggers Cari, Erica, Deborah and Zenaida.

yes, it was cold back in 2019

Happy Running! What are your racing plans this winter?  Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

Well, it’s that time of year. Time to pick ONE WORD to focus on for the entire year. (If you’ve never heard about the My One Word approach, 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.)

Below is a list of the words, I’ve chosen so far:

• 2014: ACCEPTANCE
• 2015: BELIEVE
• 2016: GRATITUDE
• 2017: RELAX
• 2018: ADAPT
• 2019: RE-FOCUS
• 2020: PATIENCE
• 2021: RESILIENCE
• 2022: INTENTIONAL

So how intentional was I in 2022?

At least with my running, I think I was…

• I scheduled my runs both on my blog and on my phone calendar.
• For accountability, I tried if possible to enlist the help of a friend especially for long runs
• I often joined established group runs.
• I set goals for my long race training runs (by working backwards from race day (13, 8, 12, 11, 10, etc.)
• I rewarded myself for finishing a difficult run (new shoes or FOOD).
• I laid out my running clothes the night before (or packed them & brought to work) so there would be no excuse NOT to run.
• I signed up for races and ran them (no matter the weather.)
• I blogged several times a week (I have to run in order to write about it.)

What about 2023?

Happy Running! Do you choose a Word each year? If so, what have you chosen one for 2023?  Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.