January 5, 2018 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – January

Confessions of a Mother Runner

It’s that time of the month…

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

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that as you may know, I HATE running on the treadmill. I have successfully dragged myself out during the warmest part of the day (after work). The problem is that it has been so cold that I can’t stay out long. I am worried that this will be one of those winters. How will I ever do a run longer than 3 miles?? I do have to train for a half marathon in March!!!

Image result for running in the cold meme

Any advice on staying warm during the run?

I only lasted about 30 minutes.

Over coffee…

(related to above) I’d tell you that I was traveling for work and it was impossible to run anywhere. So I did run on the hotel treadmill. HATED.EVERY.SECOND.

I can’t run fast and I can’t run long and it’s so hot. I could go on and on.

How do you ladies do it?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am trying to plan my 2018 races … at least the half marathons. I ran 6 halfs in 2017. Not sure I want to run that many this coming year but we’ll see…

Singer Island Half on March 17, 2018

I registered for the one above. I booked my flights, contacted my friends so I have places to stay and booked my hotel for the night before the race.

I have my flight booked for Oct 6 to Paris but race registration for the race below doesn’t open until Feb 14.

Les 20km de Paris – October 14, 2018

Then there’s a RnR race. Registration isn’t open for that one yet but I do have a hotel booked for the night before.

September 23, 2018

I am still looking for a race in the spring and/or summer.Any inexpensive suggestions?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that related to the above, I can’t decide on my May half marathon. I am wavering between three:

Brooklyn Half Marathon – it’s on my bucket list, my friend Sue wants to do it but it’s on a Saturday (I work Friday), I have to work in NYC the Monday after, it’s my hubby’s B-day weekend & boating….

Steel Rail Half Marathon – it’s driveable and my current half PR but I ran it last year and would be running it alone

Jog for Jugs Half Marathon – it’s nearby and a new race but it’s on a course that I can run on for free (not too exciting).

So which one??

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I had worked in NYC for three weeks in a row. But since I don’t go back until February, my friends and I planned a day trip there for tomorrow.

Image result for downton abbey exhibit nyc

so excited to see this

Anyone love this show? One of my favorites ever.

Over coffee…

I’d tell that I was excited about working in Liverpool where there would be lots of lights where I normally run.

Image result for lights in Onondaga lake state park

Well, the lights don’t go on until dusk and they close the park at dusk. Yup, they wouldn’t let in to run. You had to pay $10 to drive your car through.

I thought about sneaking in (and might have if I had brought my knuckle lights.)

Would you have?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I did it again. Saw a race on Facebook and on a whim, just clicked “Register.”

The deciding factor was that it only cost $30 for the half marathon. I am working on talking my BRF into doing it with me. If I DNS, it’s not a lot of money wasted.

Pelham Half Marathon – November 24, 2018

Anyone else just register and then think?

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

December 2, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – December

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in December, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

Over coffee…
I’d tell you that after the girls weekend Wineglass Half Marathon, our group has been continuing to plan weekend runs together. Best thing ever. I hate running alone so now I don’t have to. Everyone may run at a different pace or for a different distance but we manage to pair up. Afterward we go out to breakfast together.

still missing 2 in the group but such a nice bunch of ladies

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that my BRF may not be able to join me on weekday runs anymore. Her husband is ill and needs her home. I am bummed. I guess I’ll have to suck it up and run alone.

will miss you Alyssa 😦

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am trying to plan my 2018 races … at least the half marathons.

Singer Island Half on March 17, 2018 – anyone want to join me?

So far I only registered for the one above. I booked my flights, contacted my friends so I have places to stay and booked my hotel for the night before the race.

Now all I have to do is train…through the winter months… oh boy!

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I may be ODing on NYC. I was there for 3 days this past week for work. I will be there again for work next week and the week after. Then my friends want to go on one weekend to see the Downton Abbey exhibit.

Nah won’t get tired of this sight…

Over Coffee…
I’d tell you that speaking of New York City, I ran along the Hudson River this past week.

And yes, this trail goes to where that terrorist mowed down innocent bikers.

Scary!!

Over coffee…

I’d tell that I’m a little nervous about training for my March race.

Now that I travel for work, my running routes (except NYC) do not have lights.

I am not a hotel treadmill kind of gal.

I have knuckle lights so we’ll see. (Did you enter my giveaway?)

But at least I am going to Liverpool at the end of the month …where there will be lots of lights where I normally run.

Image result for lights in Onondaga lake state park

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I AM GOING TO FRANCE!!! October 6-16, 2018. With a friend who has friends to visit there (in Sanguinet) and me…to run a race in Paris, of course. (I’m over the moon!!) We got a great price on plane tix…now I have lots of time to work out the details. Race registration doesn’t open until Feb 14.

Oct 14, 2018 – over 25k run this race…yikes!

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

November 4, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Talk – November

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in November, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

Have you tried them??

Over coffee…
I’d tell you that after the girls weekend Wineglass Half Marathon, our group has been continuing plan weekend runs together. Best thing ever. I hate running alone so now I don’t have to. We even go out to breakfast after.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that because I now have running partners on the weekend, I have not felt compelled to sign up for a race every weekend. Though, I still have FOMO when I see those race pics on FB and IG.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have a half marathon in ONE week! I don’t ever have a training plan for my big races but I am pretty anal about running 10, 11, and 12 milers.

Except that I skipped my 11 and shortened my 12 to 10. Who am I?

10 (not 12) with Alyssa

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am trying to plan my spring races … at least the half marathons.

Singer Island Half on March 17, 2018 – anyone want to join me?

There’s a new local race… Except that it’s where I run often so not too tempting but cheaper than a race-cation.

May 19, 2018

And then there’s the lottery for this BIG one:

Brooklyn Half on May 19, 2018 – Anyone else running this one?

So many races…so little time….

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that for the past two years, I was in NYC running the Dash to the Finish.

Damn work!! I was away until late last night so there was no way I could swing it.

After last year’s race with my Russian friends

Over Coffee…
I’d tell you that speaking of New York City, I ran along the Hudson River last week.

And yes, this trail goes to where that terrorist mowed down innocent bikers.

Scary!!

Over coffee…

I’d tell that I’m a little nervous about training for a March race.

Now that I travel for work, my running routes (except NYC) do not have lights.

I am not a hotel treadmill kind of gal.

No lights on the Canal trails

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

October 7, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Talk – October

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in October, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

Have you tried them??

Over coffee…
I’d tell you that at first I was disappointed that I didn’t push myself to a PR last weekend. Hey I was on a PR pace until the last mile.

But now that I look back, I realize that I finished over 9 minutes faster than the half 2 weeks before!!

That is an accomplishment and there will be more opportunities. I didn’t train for a PR so I can’t expect that it will just happen.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that now that my girl’s weekend race-cation is over, I can focus on my next one.

Yes, I have another planned. Nov 10-13 in LAS VEGAS!! (even despite the scary recent events…)

It will be quite different since we are all staying in different hotels and everyone is bringing their hubby except Marcia and me.

It should still be a #holottafun.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am still struggling over running my short races and training for my next half in 5 weeks.

With 40k runners running RNR Vegas, I doubt it will be a PR. So I think I will just do what I normally do – go with the flow (I am a coach’s nightmare.)

That means, run the races on the weekend and add on the miles afterward so I get the long runs in before the race.

5k + 6.9 = 10

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am planning my spring races already… at least the half marathons. It is a challenge without the funds or the time but I will make it happen!!!

FF Miles to fly to West Palm in Florida, points to rent a car and then stay with friends …