It’s that time of the month…

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

This mug is in honor of my 9 local “running” friends (We call ourselves “Sole Sisters.)

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have a tennis friend that talked a brunch of us into going to a Salt Den.  I had an open mind esp. when they said that it benefits:

• • RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS-
    Asthma
    Allergies
    Bronchitis
    Cystic Fibrosis
    COPD
    Long Covid
    Sinus Infections
    Snoring
    Ear Infections
  • SKIN DISORDERS-
    Acne
    Eczema
    Psoriasis
  • MENTAL / MINDFULNESS–
    Anxiety
    Stress Relief
    PTSD
    Jet Lag

As you can see from the photo above, we sat in lounge chairs in a dimly lit cold room surrounded by Himalayan salt crystals. No water or cell phones (obviously I had mine) are permitted. They provide blankets. You relax there (without shoes) for about an hour.

Honestly, I felt nothing during and after but I’m glad I tried it.  One and done.

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that when my cat died in March, my hubby tried to convince me that my kitten Diamond was lonely.  I finally gave in and got another cat.

I really don’t think she was lonely and in the beginning, she really hated this new cat and made his life miserable.

I think she’s coming around but he prefers to avoid her (which makes her content.)

3. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that due to my work schedule, hiking has taken a back seat.

I plan to take a few Mondays off this summer and fall to get back out there and explore some trails with friends.

July 2023

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I question my sanity for training for another marathon.

I do enjoy just running 6 miles on the weekend and running short races.

5k 🙂

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I also can’t decide if I want to claim my deferral for the February half marathon.

I hate to waste $$. The race cost a lot and the deferral cost $40.

A 5k seems so much more enjoyable.

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

It’s that time of the month…

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

You will forget abut your finish times or your running pace but the memories that you make while running or racing will last forever!!

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have no long races for 3 months!!

next one…

I even skipped at 10 mile race that I’ve enjoyed in the past. Of course, I had major FOMO reading everyone’s social media posts but I know I made the right decision.

racing 10 miles or this?

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that I panicked when out of the blue, I had a sharp pain in the thigh. It hurt to run and walk up/down stairs.

I imagined abductor or quad strain and even stress fracture.

Immediately I called my chiro for an appt. and walked a practice 5k.

3. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that after a painful ART session on some trigger points around my IT band and quad, the pain disappeared.

It happened so quickly that I wondered if I really had the pain.

Would it have gone away on its own?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I almost cancelled my second chiro appointment.

My leg felt normal but I wanted to see what she said (She’s my original doctor, not the one I went to first.)

She agreed with the diagnosis and said I was good to go (IOW run the 5k the next day),

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I didn’t run that 5k.  

In fact, it was the THIRD 5k that I’ve walked this year!

Yes, me!

One because of a sprained ankle,

another as a mentor to runner who preferred to walk

and lastly due to a case of food poisoning the night before the race.

It is definitely less stressful and lots of fun especially if you do it with friends.

7 of us walked the entire race (until we got near the finish line and then we ran)…

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

It’s that time of the month…

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

This is in honor of Jenny (who used this in a March post).

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that May is my favorite month:

• • My annual tennis vacation to Naples, Fl.
• 
  • My birthday (Jenn is my b-day twin).

• • Tulips in bloom.
• 
  • Boating on Lake George begins.
• 
  • Lots of races (5k, 10 mi and half marathon).

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that I’m currently in Florida, We arrived yesterday. In addition to playing tennis (for the first time since last May), I plan to run everyday.

3. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that although I skipped this race last year, I did sign up again. Anyone surprised?

Tropicool 5k – 5/5/24 in Naples, FL

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that a local 5k race that was cancelled last year and re-located in previous years, has returned to its original date and location. I am tempted to sign up…

it’s dedicated to Summer (a STEM participant) who died of a drug overdose

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m really looking forward to sunshine for my Brooklyn Half Marathon that ends in Coney Island.  It has poured the other two times I’ve run it. It’s my last shot. Hotels are too expensive so I don’t plan to register again for this race!!

Does that look fun?

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

It’s that time of the month…

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

To that mug, I would add “in a skirt.”

Hopefully that will happen soon…

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that my 2nd half marathon of 2024 is coming soon – April 13.

I am healthy so there are no excuses…

My goal is to feel better during the race (SMILE) and accept my finish time (even if it is not what I had hoped for.)

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that the weather and work interfered with my training for the above race. So “no excuses” has turned into:

Snow, ice, power outage and then long days in NYC (with rain during several). More rain, snow…

Looking ahead now to the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May… LOL.

3. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that only 4% of those (close to 165k) who entered the lottery for the NYC Marathon got accepted.  Two of my friends were among the unlucky ones.  

I am glad that I bit the bullet and will run it for 3rd (and last) time.

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that our 4 hotel rooms are already booked for the November NYC marathon.

I’ve decided for the first time to stay in the Wall Street area and take the Staten Island Ferry to the start rather than staying in Manhattan and taking the bus.

We’ll see if more sleep (and less waiting time) will help my performance. LOL

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that ice cream is the theme of my summer races.

I’ve registered for two:

at High Lawn Farms last summer

in Lee, MA

and

August 3, 2024 on Governor’s Island, NYC (10k)

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

It’s that time of the month…

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

NYC is the theme for this month’s post:

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that my first half marathon since last September is in TWO weeks (and in NYC)!

It’s #66 but I’m still anxious about it.

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that this is the second time I’ve run this race but both times it has been a “recovery” race. And so the goal of my training has been “just finish.”

Do you believe that I thought this was a “slow” finish time? Now I’ll be happy with 2:36:01.

3. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that I haven’t been to NYC for work in two months but after I return home March 18 from the race, I go back on March 24 and I’m there for the rest of the work week.

You will be seeing plenty of Central Park pics… I hope the cherry blossoms are early this year again.

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am also working in NYC in April, twice in June and in July.

Maybe that why I subconsciously signed up for races in May

May 18 (Prospect Park to Coney Island)

and August

Aug 3- 10k (on Governor’s Island)

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that the sign up for the guaranteed entry for the 2024 NYC Marathon opened up on Feb. 21…  and I have until March 21 to decide if I want to run it for 3rd time.

I have 3 close friends running it (another may also qualify and another who is entering the lottery).

FOMO is real.

Training is hard!!

It’s so expensive!

Spectating could be lots of fun!!

Anyone interested in entering the lottery?

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

It’s that time of the month…

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

1.Over coffee…

I’ve told you already that I registered for our race-cation race in Cape Cod in October. (Use my code for $10 off if you want to do it too – DARLENESGROUP).

Oct 13-14, 2024

This is the house that we rented:

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that my cat Mac who disappeared on Dec 4. never returned. 😦

3. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that we’ve never had just one cat, so guess what?

Champ now has a younger sister.

or Lady Di as I call her… she’s 4-6 mos old and very loving

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I finally decided to defer my 2024 entry until 2025.

Not as easy as you think. I contacted them and they said you can defer as long as it’s 72 hours before the race.

After several emails, I finally got a form to fill out. $25 before 1/1 and $40 after. Deadline Feb. 1!! What?

The race is Feb 18!! I contacted them again and they said to just send the form and the money.

So do I pay $40 to NOT to run the race this year and maybe run it next year??

Or forget the whole thing!!  Very tempting!

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m still looking into a Florida 5k instead during that weekend.

I’m leaning toward the first one because of the course (scenic and over a bridge) but it’s also the longest drive…

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 The Running Teacher!

So Join in!

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

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

It’s that time of the month…

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that it’s a good thing that I have a large skirt collection.  As you may know Skirt Sports is no more.

I am grateful for my years as an Ambassador (since 2015) because it brought some wonderful people into my life.

with my NYC buddy, Elizabeth

Will I stop wearing skirts?

Never!

I’m not the only one in my area who wears them either.

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that I was a loyal Topos shoe wearer.  It seemed to cure my neuroma pain.

But now Altra makes a shoe with a 4mm heel drop and a wide toe box.

I may be a convert.

AltraFWD Experience

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that once I decided that I liked the Altras, Topos came out with a new shoe…

Hmmm?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that nothing cures racing depression than running another race.

So glad that I had signed up for one of our local turkey trots.

racing is about challenging yourself and running with others…

5.Over coffee…

Speaking of races, I’d tell you that next week, I’m off on my last race-cation of 2023.  This one destination is new to me – Tampa, Florida.  I’ve never been.

The mug at the top is a clue to what race I’ll be running.

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 bloggers.

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

It’s that time of the month…

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

This weekend I will run my second marathon.  So I’m got a “New York state of mind.”

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that although I ran the NYC Marathon in 2019, I am still a little stressed about the logistics.

First of all, they changed the transportation to the start choices based on your finish time.

I had to choose the 6:15 am Mid-town bus!! And I will not start until after 10:55 am.

In 2019, I started at 10:30 am and choose the 7:00 am bus (and still had a long wait in the cold.)

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that my Orange Wave starts at the top of the bridge.

• Pink has the least climb and it has four 90 degree turns.
• Blue has about 30 feet / 9 meters more climb than Pink. It has two 90 degree turns.
• Orange has about 50 feet / 15 meters more climb than Pink. It has four 90 degree turns.

 In 2019, I started in the Green wave (which is now Pink) so I was on the bottom.

Truthfully, I don’t remember much after the big cannon went off and the playing “New York, New York” with Frank Sinatra… I was so excited, I just ran over that big bridge…

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that in 2019 I was also in a similar wave.  Meaning that all the runners around me were much faster.

My projected finish time is 4:30 but I will most likely finish between 5:30 ad 6:00.

Am I’m totally fine with that!

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I followed the same plan (Hal Higdon Novice) as in 2019 but due to WFH and less travel, I was able to follow it more closely.

I tried to do the long midweek runs (although many I split into two runs)

and completed all the long runs.

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I couldn’t have trained for this race without the support of my running friends.

That includes my “virtual” friends too.

Feel free to track me. My Bib # = 48527 (but remember I don’t start until 10:55ish)

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  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 bloggers.

It’s that time of the month…

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that unfortunately there was a record number of Boston Marathon qualifiers for 2024 and my friend did not get in. 😦

BQed by 3.5 minutes!!

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that on a related note, they’ve changed the qualifying standards for the NYC Marathon.  It used to be that you could qualify for with a non-nyrr half marathon finish time. 

Important Note: 2024 will be the last year NYRR will accept both half marathon and full marathon Non-NYRR qualifying times…  Starting in 2025, the TCS New York City Marathon will only accept qualifying full marathon times.

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that training for a full marathon is so time consuming… I was debating whether or not to run NYC again in 2024 (with my friends) or just go spectate.

However, if I survive the 2023 marathon, I may have to run it in 2024 since I may not be qualifying again.

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m all about Pumpkin Spice.

very yummy

So I tried the new GU flavor.

It tastes really good but during my half marathon, it gave me a stomach ache.

I tried it again during a 9 mile run  and no issues. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that as soon as we finished our girls’ race-cation, we started planning the next one.

In fact, we already picked our 2024 race and I confirmed the dates with the RD.  Now I’m finalizing our rental (for 10).

Half Marathon and 5k – 10/6/24

Happy Running! What’s new with you? What do you think about qualifying for these two marathons? Anyone try pumpkin spice Gu?  Ever run the Cape Cod Half Marathon? 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 bloggers.