July 5, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five and Ultimate Coffee Date for July

It’s that time of the month…

honeymoon gifts from my stepson and his wife 🙂

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that on a whim, I signed up for a new 5k in Brooklyn.

June 11, 2019 7 pm

Yes it was hard to get up at 5:30 am, stand all day and after work take the subway, LIRR and another subway to get to the race on time and run a 5k. But I kinda enjoyed it. Esp the post race ice cream.

Now I am glad that I signed for this one in Brooklyn too:

August 14, 2019 7:10 pm

during last year’s Al Goldstein 5k

Ever run mid-week races?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am abandoning my winter race-cation in Florida (I haven’t broken the news to my Florida friends) in favor of a new adventure.

Feb 15-16, 2020

Yup a sunset 2 miler and the next day a half marathon. MCM Mama couldn’t have put it better. https://mcmmamaruns.com/5-reasons-to-run-zooma-bermuda/

Anyone else running this race? I’d love to meet up.

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I feel like an empty-nester. I had FOUR half marathons and TWO 15k races from February-June.

: 2019 – First H2H HM

Now NOTHING big – NADA – until September. Just a few 5k races in July and August.

I feel lost. Don’t be surprised if I find something longer to run.

Do you struggle with an off season and no big races on the horizon for several months or do you enjoy the down time?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I just zipped through Marathon Women by Kathrine Switzer. I knew so little about her other than she was technically the first to run the Boston Marathon and that she was fast.

What an amazing lady and runner!

I couldn’t put the book down..and now I want to know about the rest of her life (after 1984).

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I will never run a trail race (I am TOO competitive to slow down) but I am intrigued by trails (though mosquitoes and ticks are a turn off).

We have quite a few local group runs on trails but I always seem to be out of town when they are scheduled. I ran one and it was fun.

There’s still hope that I’ll get to do some trail running and I even bought a (cheap) pair of trail shoes. (they were $59 but got them free – since at the outlets, I bought my hubby two pairs of tennis shoes).

Do you enjoy running on trails? Have you run trail races?

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!

June 7, 2019 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date for June

It’s that time of the month…

honeymoon gifts from my stepson and his wife

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that on a whim, I signed up for a new 5k in Brooklyn.

I must have amnesia on how hard it is get up at 5:30 am, stand all day and after work take the subway, LIRR and another subway to get to the race on time and run a 5k.

June 11, 2019 7 pm

and since I was on a roll, I signed for this one in Brooklyn too:

August 14, 2019 7:10 pm

Ever impulsively sign up for a race and then regret it?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I ran my 4th half marathon in FOUR months in May.

I’m not tired from training because honestly I did not train but I am tired of thinking that I should train.

My next one is not until September 8. And it will be a training run since I will be in the midst of marathon training at that time.

How many halfs do you run in a year? How far apart? Do you train for all of them?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that our new kitten, Chap (short for Champion) has finally warmed up to my hubby (though I think he still prefers me). Our older cat is still not a fan and Champ is afraid to go outside. Our cats have always been outdoor cats and I will have to buy all new furniture and rugs if he does not get over his fears.

Do your pets get along? Any advice to make my older cat hate the kitten less?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I registered for a local half marathon because I am nervous about completing a 20 mile training run.

Oct. 13, 2019

This way I will have company for the last 13 miles of it. I hope to run with some of my running friends.

My plan is to first run 7 miles near the finish, take the shuttle bus to start and end up back at my car.

Have you ever used a half marathon as a part of a training run for a longer race?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you I ran the Freihofer Run for Women for the 12th year in a row. It’s the only race that I have run EVERY year (no matter what.)

2008 – my first (and they still give you a box of cookies)

Is there one race that you always run each year?

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!

May 3, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five & Ultimate Coffee Date for May

It’s that time of the month…

my daily breakfast in Paris (thinking about Notre Dame 😦 )

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that May is about as busy as April. 2 5ks and a 3.5 miler

The same ones that I did last year and the year before:

: 2018

: 5-12-18 – Summer Smith Memorial 5K

: 5-17-18 – Workforce Challenge 3.5 m

Racing season continues in the NE.

Does your racing pick up this time of year?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have my 4th half marathon of the year scheduled for this month.

With a 8 day Florida vacation in the middle and the short races above, it will be another…just get me through the finish line kind of race.

It’s an inaugural race…so no reviews but I think it will be HILLY!!

And the cut-off is 500 racers.

Do you train seriously for your big races? Do you like to run inaugural races? How have they been? Hilly, flat or downhill? What is your preference? Small or big races?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that we our new kitten, Chap (short for Champion) has made himself at home in our house. He is very active and has even caught his first mouse (in our basement eek). Unfortunately, our older cat is not a fan.

Do your pets get along? Any advice to make my older cat hate the kitten less?

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 my recent local half marathon so much, I think I will run it again in 2020. And even train for it LOL.

Do you repeat big races?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that as we speak, I am in Naples, Florida on my annual tennis vacation – (with 9 other women that I used to play tennis with). We have gone here this week every year since 2005.

Yes, a tennis vacation and I no longer really play.

These women are my closest friends and we will do a lot more things than play tennis.

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

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!

April 5, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five & Ultimate Coffee Date – April

It’s that time of the month…

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.

Image result for helderberg to hudson half marathon

April 13

Yikes.

I guess it’s racing season in the NE.

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.

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.)

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!

March 1, 2019 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date for March & Friday Five

It’s that time of the month…

Starbucks Coffee City Mug Collection- Florida, 16 Oz Cup

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

Where I live, we’re in the middle of winter so it’s HOT coffee in the morning before work and red wine in front of the fireplace at night. I am still savoring the memory of the warm weather from when I was in Florida last month (hence the mug lol).

1. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that my award from my October 28 race recently arrived. Better later than never! AG awards always brighten up my day. I put it on my desk at work.

Do you get excited about age group awards? Do you display them somewhere visible?

2. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I am honored to be selected for this list:

Be sure to check the site out to see which other blogs are listed and if your blog fits the criteria (you are a runner over 50 years old), submit your blog’s URL:

https://blog.feedspot.com/senior_running_blogs/

Have you heard of this list? Are you listed or will you submit your blog (if you are senior enough) to it?

3. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I have used Daily Mile to track my miles since I started running in 2008. As of March 20, they are shutting down!!!

as of Feb 20, 2019 – love the donut stat

I am looking into other sites/apps so I don’t have to manually put my miles into Excel. I don’t wear a watch except when I race so I can’t just sync it all.

I’m thinking of using RunningAHEAD or Strava. Both are free and easy to use.

Anyone else use Daily Mile? How do you keep track of your miles?

4. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I am VERY nervous about my next Half Marathon. It’s my 35th but it will be the first one without much running going into it due to resting my leg because of a possible injury. (Actually my 2nd, I walked most of one in 2011 for the same reason.)

Image result for racing with an injury meme

Have you run a half marathon with a injury or recent injury?

5. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that yesterday they announced the lottery winners for the NYC Marathon. I know of 3 local runners who got in. Sad that my neighbor and my running pal, Sherry, did not.

Of the 117,709 applicants who registered for entry, ONLY 10,510 were accepted. So glad that I made the decision to accept my guaranteed entry.

Who else got in yesterday?

Though it’s not until November, I have started getting excited about my first marathon.

Any other recommendations for things to purchase on Amazon? lol

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?

February 1, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five – Ultimate Coffee Date for February

It’s that time of the month…

Starbucks Coffee City Mug Collection- Florida, 16 Oz Cup

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.

: delray beach

: melbourne

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….

United Airlines NYC Half-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?

January 5, 2019 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – January 2019

It’s that time of the month…

like my new Starbucks Roastery mug?

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

And the first one of 2019!!

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I will not be travelling to NYC until February. I will definitely miss my scenic running routes and my NYC running friends.

: along the East R

: along the Hudson R

: in Central Park

: Elizabeth

: with Cari

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that in addition to not traveling to NYC, I will be training mostly locally in the future (I think). That means few Enterprise miles, fewer train points, fewer free hotel rooms and airline miles, but more time for other things such as running with friends, yoga classes, movies, and tennis.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am enjoying knitting again and reading Deena’s book.

it will be a reversible wool beanie

Anyone else knit or have read this book? Any other running book recommendations?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that that the Sole Sisters have expanded their run ops. In addition to Saturday long runs, they have added Tues and Thurs after work runs. Sometimes my runs are slower and sometimes faster when I am not alone but they are definitely more enjoyable with friends.

Do you need company on your runs or are you good solo?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that my college roommate has been bugging me to visit her at her new home (on the water in RI) and run a half marathon. In 2017, her house wasn’t finished yet. I was running Montreal last year but I had no excuse for 2019.

over 40 years of friendship

Sept 8, 2019

I am weak…how about you? Can you resist temptation in signing up for new fun races?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am getting closer to making the decision whether or not to run 2019 NYCM (I time qualified based on my Brooklyn half time). But I still can’t wrap my head around 26.2 miles and training for such. I have from January 14 until Feb 14 to decide.

Nov 3, 2019? Still a maybe….

Anyone else running the NYC Half? or the Brooklyn Hot Chocolate 15k? Anyone signing up for or running the NYC Marathon?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I would normally be excited that my hubby is becoming more active. (He can be a couch potato.) He has been playing tennis more and more. Now he says he wants to go with one of his teams to the WTT National Qualifier Tournament in SC. No problem, right? Except that it’s the same weekend as my next half marathon in Florida – the race-cation that I have been planning for almost a year.

I could have picked any weekend to race (There are 150 halfs in Florida.) Grrrrrrrrrr!

He’s excited because if the team wins, they can to go to Nationals in Palm Springs. What weekend is that? Nov 2-4, 2019!!!!

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

December 1, 2018 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – December

It’s that time of the month…

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

I cannot believe this is the last one of 2018!!!

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am sick of winter weather is it’s only December 1!!! The traffic jams, the slippery paths, the layers of clothing…. Everything!!

-6 with the windchill….. and ice on my favorite running route

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am working in NYC for 8 days in December. That’s a lot of holiday trees and window views and a lot of avoiding crowds on the sidewalks.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I love running in NYC. It’s my favorite thing to do in the winter since there are lighted places to run but I am excited to do some other things besides run.

tix for Dec 10

and

tix for Dec. 19 – Woo Hoo!!!

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that that the Sole Sisters are planning our next Girls Weekend. It’s April 26-28, 2019. We registered for the race, picked out the hotel… The countdown is on.

Related image

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I surprised myself with my recent half marathon. I thought that I was undertrained so I would have DOMS but I did not. I thought all that walking and thus a slow finish time would bother me but it did not. I thought that I would not enjoy this small insanely hilly race but I really DID!

Thumbs up for the Pelham Half Marathon

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I found this out Wednesday…

I did have a guaranteed entry qualifying time from the Brooklyn Half but still, I was worried.

Anyone else running the NYC Half? or the Brooklyn Hot Chocolate 15k? And if you live in NYC, I’d love to meet up and run in December. Has your November weather been as lousy as mine?

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

November 2, 2018 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – November

It’s that time of the month…

of course I got a new mug…

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

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!

: Elizabeth

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!

October 5, 2018 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – October

It’s that time of the month…

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

The leaves are changing but the temps are erratic…

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

1. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I will be away SIX weekends in a row (bet Sept 22 & Oct 28) !!! FOUR out of SIX include races.

5k & Half in Montreal,
5k in NYC,
Paris,
20K in Paris,
Bridal Shower in MA
5M in NYC (& Broadway Show)

Then I’m homebound for several months!! Hooray!

Are you a homebody or do you enjoy traveling?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I normally plan my big races way in advance but I haven’t signed up for any half marathons in 2019. I have a few on my radar…a Feb. Florida race, a March NYC race and a May local race.

Feb 10, 2019 (Melbourne, FL)

March 17, 2019 – if I get in??

Do you know which big races you are running in 2019?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am easily tempted by any race in NYC. My tennis friends & I go to a Broadway show every October. This year we are going to see Pretty Woman on Oct. 28.

Of course, I found a race in Central Park that morning and signed up to run it.

Image result for poland springs marathon kick off

Anyone running or have run this race?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that speaking of NYC races, a Hot Chocolate 15K has always been on my bucket. I like the distance and you get a sweatshirt and other cool swag.

April 27, 2019

So as soon as I heard that one was coming to Brooklyn, I immediately signed up. I am hoping that I can convince some of my local running friends to join me.

Anyone else ever run a Hot Chocolate race? Want to join me?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am leaving tomorrow for France. The beginning of my vacation will be at my friend’s friends’ house in Sanguinet (near Bordeaux). I have no idea if I will get any running in but…

I am very excited to run a race in Paris on Oct. 14. It’s a dream come true!!

running past all the monuments and famous sights of Paris with over 30,000 other runners

Ever run in Paris?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.