It’s that time of the month…

and that time of year

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I taken up yoga again.  I used to go weekly and then my favorite yoga instructor left and I stopped going.

I’m not one to do things at home. I need to sign up for a class and then I’ll go.

I started with Cat Yoga and it was fairly enjoyable… very low key so a good way to start up again.

that’s me in the pink skirt…thanks Lloyd for the pic

I’ve gone to Hot Yoga too …the participants can bend like pretzels but I do what I can and I do enjoy the warm temps.

I also attended a Yoga for Runners class which focused on the lower back/spine …just what I needed. (I plan to attend another one fro upper back and shoulders.)

And of course another Cat Yoga class at the same location as the Yoga for Runners class.

Do you do yoga? If you do, do you do it on your own or sign up for classes?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that though it’s no surprise but I am hating the cold temps and early winter weather conditions.

My biggest problem is that I have amnesia when it comes to dressing…I am either overdressed or cold.

too warm in that heavy vest

Do you remember how to dress to run from season to season?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that in addition to hating the weather, I despise the lack of daylight.  It cuts down on the places that I can safely run after work.  There’s only ONE lit up route and that’s UAlbany….BORING.  I like to run in different places.

I may have to get up early and run before work. UGH!!!

Do you run outside in the dark?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am back to traveling for work.

Last month it was 3 days in NYC.  Not complaining…

I met up with running friends Cari and Elizabeth and also saw HAMILTON!!!

Work travel can have its perks now and then.

This week I am back in NYC for 5 days.

Good news is that in Manhattan, there are loads of places to run with lights… and of course at Christmas time, lots to see and do.

Anyone else love to visit NYC at this time of year?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that now that my marathon training and marathon is over, I’m debating a new challenge for 2020.

One half marathon each month???

I already have one planned for January (Fred LeBow in NYC), February (ZOOMA in Bermuda), March (NYC Half), April (Helderberg 2 Hudson) and May (Sacandaga or Steel Rail)….

What’s 7 more?  LOL

What do you think of my my goal? Has anyone ever run 12 halfs in one year?

Of course, I wrote this post before I had a sore foot….all these racing plans may be on hold….

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!

It’s that time of the month…

NYC State of Mind

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

The NYC Marathon Edition….

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am excited about running my FIRST full marathon and I am glad that I chose NYC. It’s only a train ride away, I have free pts for my hotel and most importantly, I do LOVE NYC and know my way around this city.

after the Poland Spring Race last October. Who knew??

If you have run a marathon (or half), which one was your first and why?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that recently I met up with two college roommates.

We reminisced about our last meet-up. It was in NYC in 2013 the day before the NYC Marathon.

I had them take a picture of me at the finish line.

And now 6 years later, I am running that race.

Do you believe in serendipity? Have you  had a similar experience?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that unfortunately my hubby will be in Palm Springs that same day competing in a national tennis tournament.  Yes, what are the odds that it would be the same day as my first marathon?

Back in 2014, he did come to a race.

I was sad that he could not come since it is my first (and most likely my last) marathon.

Some of my running friends have expressed interest in coming down to NYC for the day to cheer me on.  But the logistics are not easy. I doubt they will be able.

I think a few of my tennis friends may come…. (Fingers crossed.)

If not, I will gather energy from the thousands of cheering fans that I do not know personally.

Do your family and friends cheer you on at big races?

Anyone coming to cheer? If so, let me know where you will be?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that there are quite a few current and former bloggers who are running the NYC Marathon. Hopefully we can arrange a meet-up.

Cari, Lacey, Linda, Pam, and ???

loved meeting Michelle and Kim here

Anyone else coming to run? If so, when can we meet up? I’ll be at the expo on Sat.

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have zero time goals for this race. It is my first full as I have mentioned.  My longest run was 20 miles and it was very painful. I did run two 14 milers, one 16 and one 18. I did not increase my mid-week runs due to job commitments. My weekly mileage was only usually in the 20s.

So do I think I can finish?

YES!!!

Will it hurt?

YES, most likely.

My goal is to run the first half SLOWLY, enjoy the WHOLE experience and get my MEDAL at the end!!!

Do you have a time goal for your big races or do you just do it for fun?

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!

It’s that time of the month…

some people try to run in all 50 states. I just collect Starbucks mugs lol

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that it’s only October and I’ve already registered for TWO half marathons in 2020.

April 15, 2020

Feb 16, 2020

Have you already registered for any 2020 races?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I only have ONE more week of insane traveling with my job. After that it should be the normal occasional travel to NYC. (Should but who knows?)

Too bad, the 8 weeks of travel was during peak Marathon Training. UGH!

Anyone else have work get in the way of training for a big race?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m following the minimal (get to the finish line) Marathon Training Plan. That means ONE 16, ONE 18 and ONE 20 miler (and NO long mid-week runs).

Long runs are tough!!

Kinda nervous. Hope the adrenaline and the crowds will get me through 26.2 miles.

All you first time marathoners, How many long runs did you do? How did it work out?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that speaking of that dreaded 20 miler, I was going to run 7 miles from the finish of a half marathon and then take the bus to start. But the bus leaves at 6:15 am and the area is kinda shady plus it’s DARK.

Oct. 13, 2019

New plan.

Park at the start and run 7 miles there. (Safer area). The race starts at 8:00 am. Then take the bus back to the start after the race.

Anyone else run a half marathon and use it as only a training run?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m thinking of running the NYC Half Marathon again.

You can sign up for the lottery on Oct. 17 but I think that I may get in by my H2H half marathon finish time (2:11:15).

      AGE         MARATHON TIME  HALF MARATHON TIME

one of the advantages of being OLD

It’s not guaranteed (like last year) since it was not a NYRR race but my time was fast enough.

Fingers crossed.

(And yes, that again would qualify me to run NYCM. And no, I WILL NOT RUN ANOTHER MARATHON!!!!!!!)

Anyone else entering the lottery for the NYC Half?

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!

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 the logistics for my first marathon – NYCM are set.

• Hotel for Nov 2 & 3 – booked (free with pts)
• Train to NYC on Nov 2 – booked(free with pts)
• Bus home on Nov 4 – booked ($1 megabus)

On August 1, I battled the website and signed up for my baggage and transportation.

Who knew it was this complicated?

I chose the Poncho as recommended instead of post-race bag check.

And I picked the 7 am bus to the start instead of the ferry.

I’d love to take the ferry to watch the sunrise on the Hudson River but after you arrive in Staten Island, you still have to board a bus.

Just seems easier to walk to the NY Public Library from my hotel and take ONE bus to the start.

If you have already run NYCM, which options did you choose and did you make the right decision in the end?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that traveling with my job is picking up.  That will be making my mid-week mileage quite challenging.

3 miles instead of 6

But it is what it is.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate in the next two months so at least I get complete all my long runs.

Anyone else keep their weekday runs short (or even skip them) and concentrate only on long runs when training for a big race?

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that last two weeks while I was working in NYC, all my friends at home were seeing Hamilton locally.

FOMO.

I could see it on Broadway since I’m there so often but I’m always running!!

I finally broke down and bought a ticket.

Can’t wait!! (And Marathon training will be over!!)

Have you seen this show?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that tomorrow I am running a half marathon in RI.  I had planned to run this race at some point because my college roommate built a home (on the water) nearby.  But I couldn’t go until this year….and then I signed up for my first full marathon.

So it will just be a training run. It should be hilly but have beautiful water views.  Perfect conditions for relaxed 13.1 miles, right?

Anyone else run a half marathon and use it as only a training run?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that for work I went to NYC three times in August (5 days, 3 days and 3 days) and this week, as well (3 days).

I ran a race in Brooklyn, ran along the Hudson and East Rivers and in Central Park.

Then there’s nothing there for me until the NYCM on Nov. 3.

So of course, I signed up for a 10K race on Oct 5.

Do you have a favorite city to run or race in?

One more for good measure –

6 .Over coffee…

I’d tell you that a few weeks ago, I ran along the Hudson River in NYC so I could see the GW Bridge and the Little Red Lighthouse.

thanks @travellingcari

I learned that a book was written about it.

Children’s books are the best!

Ever buy a children’s book?

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!

It’s that time of the month…

still loving my France mugs

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I only ran ONE race in July.

But I’m making up for it in August.

I signed up for FOUR (almost 5) this month.

• 08-03-19 – Hudson River Ramble (8 m)
• 08-14-19 – Al Goldstein 5k (in Brooklyn)
• 08-17-19 – Jailhouse Rock 5k
• 08-19-19 – Saratoga Track Mile

I have run them all before (except the one mile race). The Hudson Ramble is slightly different – used to be Race the Train (same course) but there is no longer a train.

I have a hair appt. on August 21 and will miss the the Hump Day 5k. 😦

last year’s Hump Day 5k

Only two are on a weekend so it should not disrupt marathon training too much.

Do you run many races in the summer?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I made the hotel reservation right away but finally made my flight reservations for my February race in Bermuda. I know it’s still early but flights are expensive and it was nerve racking trying to decide which days to go to take advantage of the cheaper prices.

Cari and I finally settled on leaving late Wed and returning early Monday. Four days and 5 nights in paradise!!!

Feb 12-17, 2020 – 2 mile sunset race on Feb 15 and a half marathon on Feb 16.

Anyone else running this race?  When will you be there? I’d love to meet up.

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that (not running-related sorry) that my new kitty become more manageable. He goes outside all the time but he comes home when I call him.

I mean, I am marathon training, I don’t have time for his shenanigans. lol

In fact, he came home just for this photo.

Does you pet interfere with your running?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I love my OLD Garmin 205.

People laugh when they see it but it’s great to be able to see all 4 screens of data on ONE screen.

I’m on my third one. The battery life eventually wears out and I order a new one.

Being that I will be running a full marathon that may take me 6 hours, I was nervous that my trusty Garmin battery may not last as long as my race.

So I ordered a (used) new one.

Garmin 230

Anyone else have the 230? If so, do you like it?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that actually the one I ordered was white. I am cheap and didn’t want to pay more for the purple one. So I bought the white one and then bought a (cheap) purple band.

Does color matter to you? If so, what’s your favorite color?

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!

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!

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 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.)

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?