It’s that time of the month…

my NYC Starbucks Roastery mug

to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that April is becoming a busy running month.  A half marathon, a 5 mile race and a 15k.

April 13

Yikes.

I guess it’s racing season in the NE.

last year’s Delmar Dash – this year, it’s April 7.

Does your racing pick up this time of year?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that six of us Sole Sisters (originally there were 7 but one got hurt 😦 ) are planning a girls weekend in NYC.

the 6 of us are in this photo (plus others were aren’t able to go)

We already have tix to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Prospect Park, Avenue Q on Broadway and several restaurant reservations.

Oh yeah, there’s also a race in there somewhere.

April 27

Do you like to go on girls weekends away? Do they always involve running?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that we have a new kitten (We got him March 2). It’s not-running related but whatever.  He hid for the first two weeks we had him and then he only came out at night.  Still skittish but getting better.

He came with the name Meow Meow but we changed it to Champ (because he came in a Champion shoe box). See it is running-related LOL

We had 2 cats die this year. When your pets die, do you immediately replace them?  

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I always say that I am ONE and done when I run a half marathon.  But I enjoyed the NYC Half so much, I secretly wished that I had “raced” it and got a fast enough time for 2020.

Hopefully, I can run it again when I’m 70 (the qualifying time is much slower).

Do you repeat big races?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that at that Tennis National Qualifier that my hubby went to the same weekend I ran a half marathon in Florida, his team WON!

Normally, I would be excited because now the team gets to go to Nationals in Palm Springs, CA. I would have loved to go too (and I have a good friend who lives there.)

my running friend Mary

What weekend is the tennis tournament scheduled for?

Nov 2-4, 2019!!!!

                  Nov. 3, 2019

Should I insist that my hubby come to NYC instead of playing tennis?

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!

It’s that time of the month…

time to join up with Coco & Deborah
for their ultimate coffee date.

Where I live, we’re in the middle of a polar vortex so it’s HOT coffee in the morning before work and red wine in front of the fireplace at night.

1. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I actually for the first time ever maybe, I did ALL my long runs!!! (And the temps got colder with each one!) Do I hear the applause?

Thanks to my running friends…. I feel prepared to run 13.1 miles on February 10.

Do you have to have company to run your long runs or are you able to do them solo?

2.Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I can’t wait to skip town.  My last hotel stay (for work) was Dec 20 and my last vacation stay was Paris in October.

We haven’t had a really bad winter (until recently) but still I am looking forward to feeling the sand beneath my toes.

last March

I am not weather stalking (well, maybe a little). It may not be warm but I know that it will be warmer than it is in NY.

Anyone else have a warm weather race-cation planned?

3.Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that after this coming half marathon on Feb. 10, I have another TWO halfs (NYC, Helderberg to Hudson), a 15k (Hot Chocolate Brooklyn) , a third half (Great Sacandaga), a 15k (Adirondack Lakes) this spring and then a fourth half marathon (Surftown RI).  That will keep me from obsessing about my first FULL marathon….

I promise not to count down and panic until after September 8 (when I start my 13+ mile long runs…)

Nov 3, 2019… 26.2 miles …OMG!!

Do you have a lot of big races on your schedule?  Or do you train for one at a time?

4.Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that that I’ve already looked into half marathons for next winter (and I haven’t even run this year’s yet.)

in Vero Beach

OR  perhaps…

Feb 18, 2020

Are you a planner or do you sign up for your races at the last minute?

5.Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I’ve become a Nike Zoom Vomero hoarder.  Even when I need new ones, I have a hard time giving up the old ones.  I rotate them and keep the older ones for shorter runs and races. The problem is that I don’t keep track of the number of miles on the shoes. I seem to need new ones frequently (my feet and lower back tell me when) and especially when running a half marathon.

Nov 2018 – my latest pair

another in Oct 2018?

another in Sept 2018?

I’m on the verge of buying a black version of the new 14s.  Please stop me!

Anyone else have too many pairs of the same shoe?

It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with  Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here! What are you drinking to stay warm?

It’s that time of the month…

of course I got a new mug…

Since it is Friday, here are five things that I’d like to share…

1. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m home bound on the weekends for several months!! Hooray! My last weekend away was in NYC last weekend!

Are you a homebody or do you enjoy traveling?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I finally did sign up for a half marathon in 2019. In fact, I signed up for THREE!

I am excited about both of these races although neither one is a goal race.  They will both be just for FUN!!!

Feb 10, 2019 (Melbourne, FL)

March 17, 2019 (Brooklyn to Manhattan)

Maybe I’ll decide to train for this one.  It’s an inaugural race so I don’t know how hilly the race course is but at least I can sleep in my own bed the night before.

Have you signed up for any big races yet in 2019? Do you prefer big races that you travel to or local ones?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am trying to add some more races to my schedule as 2018 draws to a close. I dread the cold weather here in the NE.  I will run but not many races until spring.

• 11-11-18 – Stockade-athon
• 11-17-18 – Girls on the Run 5K
• 11-22-18 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k
• 11-24-18 – Pelham Half Marathon
• 12-08-18 – Albany Last Run 5K
• 12-09-18- Winter Series #1 (3m)

Are you trying to squeeze in races before the winter season?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that as much as I love NYC, I’m not sure I am looking to working there 3 weeks in November and 2 weeks in December.  Fingers crossed for no snow or ice and weather like this:

not this:

Anyone else in NYC on weekdays during the months of Nov. or Dec.?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am denial about the cold weather.  I am trying not to wear winter running clothes because I will be wearing them until May.  However, it has been COLD. One day, in particular, it was in the 40s but windy. I wore capris and a shirt – no jacket, no gloves, no tights.  I had to quit after one mile I was so cold. The next day, I caved:

In the 40s again and I was determined not to bundle up.  I was freezing before and after but OK during the race:

Do you hesitate to bundle up when running even though you know you should?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with  Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!

It’s that time of the month…

It’s COFFEE ice cream, of course!!

to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I was wavering on running a summer half marathon. I usually run the 10k each year and many of my friends will be there. But as my running buddy said, for the half you only run the hills once rather than the same ones twice. (Just more different hills!!)

However, my friend Anna from Russia saved the day.  She is coming to the US and I will be going to NYC to see her that weekend.

Anyone running a half marathon in the heat of summer??

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that you wouldn’t expect me to go to NYC and not a race, would you?  Actually, it was Anna’s idea not mine.

August 11, 2018 – 9 AM

I’ve visited Governor’s Island once and I’ve always wanted to run there.

Anyone running this race or have run it?

Over coffee…

I’d tell that my favorite “healthy” Starbucks drink has been discontinued…chocolate banana smoothie. They told me that they don’t have protein powder or bananas anymore.  Very bummed.

Ever have your favorite drink or food discontinued from a restaurant?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I decided NOT to run this half marathon even though I will have major FOMO. Just too expensive.  Maybe another year.

Ever not choose a race because of the cost (hotel/transportation)?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I recently realized that I could get a guaranteed entry into the 2019 NYC Marathon.

My 2018 Brooklyn Half Marathon finish time is: 2:11:23

The big problem is that I have never run a marathon, never wanted to run a marathon, never want to train for a marathon, etc. You get the picture.

Nov 3, 2019

If you were me, would you do it? (Don’t say “Yes” unless you plan to run it with me…)

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I recently got my age group award in the mail for a race I ran in June.

pretty cool, I think. May be my favorite. (it’s a glass paper weight)

What is your favorite age group award?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I decided not to renew my tennis club membership and not to play in a regular tennis contract.

This was a very tough decision.  I have played tennis regularly for the past 20 years or so (although less frequently since I started running).

will be missing my Tuesday tennis pals

It’s expensive and right now, it’s too hard to fit into my work schedule.  Hopefully, it will only be a year off.

I still plan to take my annual tennis vacation in May and may even be able to sub for some of my tennis friends throughout the year.

Ever had to cut out an activity that you really love?

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!