What am I training for?

The Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 20!!

I’ve decided to skip the April 15th local Half Marathon and volunteer/spectate my friends. (My 3rd half marathon DNS of 2023 😦 )

Last Week:

• Sunday – Postponed Long Run because it was forecast to rain on Saturday (even though it didn’t). 6 miles with Barbara, Sherry & Stan… my longest run since Feb 6.

Not gonna lie. It was HARD and the insane wind didn’t help.  Grateful to have friends pull me along.

• Monday – On my day off, I hit the gym first thing…

it was soo windy that I took my walk in the mall (I may have engaged in some retail therapy too.)

and then in the evening, I participated in my 2nd FTC as mentor for the beginner group.

90:90; 3min:3min. Luckily the wind had died down and the temps warmed up…

The one good thing about this new location is that it is not far from Trader Joe’s.

• Tuesday – Since I was working from home, I could start the day at the gym.

It was rainy in the morning but by afternoon, it had cleared up.  I decided on a rest day since I had run 2 days in a row.

Instead I went for a walk.

• Wednesday – Teaching live for the next two days so no time for the gym or a run until after work.

I saw this parking lot near where I was working…

not a trail… just a busy road to run on…

It used to be a tradition to have a Seder with my mah jongg friends but couldn’t coordinate it with everyone this year.

 the good old days…

• Thursday – Same as the day before but I was fortunate to have company for my post work run.

It was raining and I probably would have bailed if it weren’t Stan and Heidi.

a very wet run but at least it wasn’t too cold…

• Friday – Home again which enabled me to work out in the gym before work.

a new photo location lol

There is finally a few signs of spring at my house … but that wind!!

After work, my friend and I battled that wind for a walk on the rail trail before going out to dinner.

• Saturday – Long Run! Finally a Saturday without rain in the forecast.

And I had company from Stan for all 8 miles. He was tapering for the H2H half marathon next weekend (I’m just building back…).. and the weather was perfect!

I felt so much better than last week’s run!!

After the run, we joined the others for brunch.

• Sunday – Easter morning will start with a trip to the gym.

Then maybe a quick family visit since I have to unexpectedly take the train to NYC to sub for a trainer who had a death in the family.

I hope to get in a run/walk in the park after I check into my hotel..

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run in NYC, FTC
• Tuesday – GYM, rest day, train home
• Wednesday – FTC run
• Thursday – run w/friends
• Friday – GYM, rest day, mah jongg chez moi
• Saturday – volunteer at H2H half marathon
• Sunday – LONG RUN (10 miles)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – World Majors
• Friday –  5 Words That Describe Me

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big races?  Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Most of my week was spent in NYC (working in Jamaica.) But I was able to drag myself out for two runs and a walk in the evenings while I was there. (I say “drag” because although I love Manhattan, I am usually so tired by the end of day (leaving the hotel at 7am and returning at 5pm).

This week I also added two new fitness activities.

Last Week:

• Sunday – Back to my regularly scheduled program.  IOW – 3 short weekday runs, a long run/brunch on the weekend and a walk/hike on Sunday (if my run was done on Saturday.)

it was quite muddy, trees down blocking the path and missing trail markers but the weather (and views) was great.

• Monday – I celebrated my return to running by signing up to be a mentor. for the first time. The Freihofer Training Challenge (FTC) actually started last Monday (but I wasn’t sure I was ready…)

Unfortunately, they changed the location of the training after I signed up so I decided to get in a run at lunch.

nice to be back running on the rail trail… eagle sighting LOL

I’m definitely a work in progress… stamina and speed are lacking but I’ll be working on getting it back.

I drove to the new location after work to volunteer with the beginner group.

C25k – week 2 (90:60 intervals) and finished before the rain

On the way home, I met up with my BFF for a mall walk.

• Tuesday – As I did last Tuesday, I took the train to Manhattan and checked into my hotel. Normally I immediately hop on the subway to Jamaica to set up for the next day.

I had taken a later train in the morning so as result I got back to Manhattan later that usual.  I decided to skip my set-up and go earlier the next day.

That gave me some extra time to run. This week I opted instead of going to Central Park, to run along the Hudson River.

it was a little chilly but much warmer than the day I spectated there.

After my run and dinner, I quickly changed my clothes and stopped in Macys (which was nearby).

such beautiful displays pictures don’t do it justice

and then I walked to the theater to catch a show.

such a fun show to see!!!!

• Wednesday – After a long work day, I decided to just go for a walk in the park. I got a late start but any time of day is a good time to visit the park. Since it was getting late, I took the subway back to my hotel. Unfortunately Cari and I couldn’t coordinate a meet-up this time.

more signs of spring than where I live

• Thursday – Another long STRESSFUL work day, but because I won’t be in NYC again for several weeks, I decided to mix things up and run along the East River. 

I took the crosstown bus, ran a few miles and then took the bus back.

• Friday – Last day in the city so just work and the train home.
• Saturday – Long Run Day – But the forecast was for rain and thunderstorms so we postponed our run/brunch until Sunday. And of course, it was not raining in the morning… GRRRRRRR! I hate when that happens.

But I made my FIRST visit to the gym.

One of the perks of the FTC is free membership to YMCA for 12 weeks.  I missed last week and was working in NYC the most of this week but I plan to work out on the machines several mornings a week.

Not much rain to speak of and the temps rose to 70 degrees by the time I was done with unpacking, cleaning and grocery shopping. So I headed out for a short run (in a skirt!!)

water was flowing and the sun shining… I’d dare say it was “hot”

• Sunday – LONG Run Re-scheduled.

At least it’s not supposed to be humid and rainy… Just colder but sunny. We chose the Crossings.  Stan and Sherry have to run 12.  Barbara and I plan to join them for their last 6 miles before heading to brunch.

Since I have Monday off, I may even add a short hike to my day.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF – run, FTC
• Tuesday – GYM, rest day
• Wednesday – run, FTC?
• Thursday – run w/friends
• Friday – GYM, rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (8 mi.)
• Sunday – GYM, Easter dinner with the family, walk/hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Happy Vitamin C Day
• Friday –  Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big races?  Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Last Sunday, I spectated at the NYC Half Marathon on a very cold, windy day.

I had to return to NYC for work Tuesday (and stayed there until Friday night).

And again this week, on Tuesday, I’m heading back and I will be there working until Friday night.

But my biggest news is that I ran…. after 34 days of NO Running!

Last Week:

• Monday – I finally had my 2nd Ortho appt. They took an x-ray of my foot and the doctor was very pleased.  All Healed. No restrictions he said… just don’t twist your foot and fall again.

it was interesting to see the hardware from my ankle surgery

What a relief and I couldn’t wait to celebrate with a run.  I drove to UAlbany and cautiously ran/walked about 2 miles.

and yes, ice cream was part of the celebration

• Tuesday – I took an early train to NYC, checked into my hotel and hopped a subway to Jamaica to set up for my class the next day. When I got back to my hotel, I changed into running clothes and headed to Central Park.

Again I was cautious and ran slow with lots of walk breaks and then I met Cari and Elizabeth for a sushi dinner.

• Wednesday – An early subway ride to Jamaica, taught all day, and then took the subway back to my hotel. Not wanting to overdo the running thing, I took the subway to the Harlem Meer part of Central Park and just walked around.

• Thursday – My day was similar to Wednesday except that since the forecast was for rain, I has gotten a ticket for a Broadway show. Before the show, I had time to run/walk around Hudson Yards.

that’s my 2018 Brooklyn half shirt… getting psyched for May.

• Friday – My last day this week teaching in Jamaica and finally a train home.
• Saturday – Long Run Day so finally I was able to run with friends before brunch. And we got it done before our wintry mix.

we saw an eagle and my foot felt GREAT after 4 miles.

After I had my rescheduled hair appointment.

• Sunday – Planned is some errands and some hiking…

This Coming Week on the Run–

• Monday – run, Freihofer Training Challenge
• Tuesday-Friday – working in Jamaica, Queens again

As time allows, walks, meet-up with friends and hopefully, some runs after work.

• Saturday – Run and Brunch with running friends

This Coming Week on the Blog –

• Tuesday – NYC Half Marathon Race Recap – the Spectator Version
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big races? Do you enjoy spectating races? Any signs of spring where you live? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Literally!

Not the kind I planned.

Last Week:

No running… but:

• Teaching live rather than remotely for 3 days. 1 day (Wed, Thurs, Fri the other days got cancelled due to snow)

so prefer live as opposed to remote teaching even if I had to stand all day with a broken foot

• Dinner out with my tennis friends. (Thurs)

❤ our monthly dinners

• Hosting mah jongg. (Fri) (cancelled due to the weather)

Sat. AM

• Brunch with my running friends. (Sat postponed until Sunday)

Fitness-wise:

• Squeezing in time on the stationary bike (Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat)

another great podcast… Cari & I met her in Bermuda in 2020,

tennis player turned runner (can relate there) who specializes in treating runners with injuries (in NYC)

• Mall walks (Mon & Tues)

Thanks for the reminder, Virgin Pulse… 

This Coming Week on the Run– 

More of the same.

• Some walking?
• Some stationary biking?
• Another DNS. Electric City 10k.
• Brunch with my running friends.

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – International Women’s Day (Older women runners whom I admire)
• Friday – 5 Things I Enjoy When Not Running

need to re-adjust my 1000 mile annual mileage goal, I guess! Jan=93, Feb =36

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any winter big races?  Podcast recommendations? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

My 12 miler is to be completed today.

And in TWO weeks, I’ll be towing the line for my first half marathon of 2023…. in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

It will hopefully be fun with ocean views, sunshine and warm temps (not too warm but warmer than up North.)

this same race 2 years ago.

Last Week:

• Sunday – After a 11 mile run the previous day, I signed up for the 5.5k race with my friends. It turned out to 3.8 (not 3.4) miles but a lovely day and lots bonding time with my racing friends.

I ran 1:1 intervals with Heidi until mile 3 and then I sprinted to the finish.

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. A little beat from last week’s stress but I had some errands to do at lunch so I also squeezed in a run.

another GRAY day… ran part on the rail trail (icy in too many spots) and part on the road.

• Tuesday – I try not to run so many days in a row but when it’s dry and the next day is booked, you just “do ‘it.”

Snow flurries and temps in the teens (with the wind chill) kept me inside during lunch.

I was happy to be able to get in a few miles right after work… it’s great that now it stays light until 5 pm.

it was cold but blue skies and sun finally

• Wednesday – Finally a rest day (sunny but FREEZING) and my dinner with my tennis friends (that got cancelled last week) happened. I do miss playing tennis with these lovely ladies.

• Thursday – Finally a great sunrise.  I wish I had time to go out for a run but I did not…

Believe it not, I skipped dinner out and a play in order to run.

FOMO – I heard the play was great!

I hadn’t run at UAlbany in awhile so I met up after work with a friend for a loop around the campus.

a blurry pic of Heidi but I was trying to capture the beautiful sunset

• Friday – Rest Day, a trip to the office, and the evening with my mah jongg ladies. Soooo cold and wind gusts up to 50 mph!!!
• Saturday – Long Run Day (12 miles). With negative temps predicted, I happily agreed to postpone until Sunday.

Definitely a day to catch up with things around the house. The weather forecasters were not exaggerating.

8 am this morning

And then take in a movie with the hubby.

The book and the original movie (A Man called Ove) were better but always enjoy a Tom Hanks performance

• Sunday – Definitely a warmer day. Not warm but better.  Luckily my running friends are able to join me for a run and then brunch.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF – run (early), hike
• Tuesday – run (at lunch), b-day dinner w/stepson
• Wednesday – run (after work)
• Thursday – rest day, hair appt
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – the Taper (8-10 miles), pack
• Sunday –  early flight to Ft. Lauderdale, FL

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – NYC Marathon 2023 – Yay or Nay?
• Friday – 5 Things to Love About Running

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any winter big races?  Any snow or frigid temps where you live? Are you still getting outside for your runs? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

As much as I LOVE NYC, it was nice after two weeks to sleep in my own bed.

Unfortunately, the weather played havoc with my running…but that is life in Northeast during winter.

And there was some cat drama this week.

Last Week:

• Sunday – I got a lot done today… it was catch up day.

Laundry, cleaning, nails, library, bank, grocery shopping….

I did made time for a hike… although it was muddy, it hadn’t started snowing or sleeting yet.

so peaceful walking along the Normanskill Creek

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. and the 1/2 DAY OFF!

My new work schedule has been working some Monday mornings… this was one of them. I had planned to drive to the office and then run at lunch at UAlbany.

But I woke up to this:

So I decided to work from home and then run at lunch in my neighborhood.

At lunchtime, it was still snowing hard but at least my driveway was cleared.

Finally I got run done in late afternoon. I drove into town thinking the roads would be clearer.  They were but so many puddles that I had to run through the slush on the sidewalks…  Wet wet feet!!

• Tuesday – Still working from home in the morning hopeful of getting in a dry run at lunch.

warmer and drier than the day before in my neighborhood

I went to the office in the afternoon and then after work, I met my BFF for a long walk around the mall.

• Wednesday – More snow predicted and a dinner was scheduled with my tennis friends.

The dinner was postponed until next week (even though we didn’t get much snow and it was mostly rain.).

• Thursday – Still no sun but dry so I hoped to get my run done at lunch.

Work got in the way but after work, I drove into town and finished my run before dark.

it was actually very pleasant… with some light snow falling.

However the day took a turn for the worse…

My hubby accidentally let my kitten outside…

Macch’s latest pic… he is still very skittish but is gradually warming up to both of us...

I hence spent ALL night outside (in the cold) looking for him.

• Friday – Of course after a sleepless night, I woke up to sunshine for the first time this week. (However, it did cloud up by lunchtime.)

It was a rest day but not very restful.  Though I was working ALL day, at least it was from home so I could continue to search for my kitty at breaks and lunch..

The evening was spent with my mah jongg ladies (after 2 Fridays away.)  Boy was it needed.

• Saturday – Guess who made an appearance at 4am this morning. What a relief!!

Even though I was exhausted after sleepless night #2, it was Long Run Day (11 miles).

How I hate winter running… not the cold temps but the icy snowy paths.

As always, we planned our brunch time and location and did own own thing.

I ran 3 miles on my own and then met Stan and Sherry for 8 more miles followed by brunch with the others.

the sun finally came out at the end of the run…

In the afternoon I met my mah jongg friends for a movie date:

It was very entertaining. I did skip dinner out for a trip to Trader Joes and evening at home.

• Sunday – Winter Series #3 – 5.5k, 15k or 30k.

Obviously after the long run on the previous day, I plan to run/walk with my friend Heidi for the shortest distance.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday – rest day
• Wednesday – run, dinner out with friends
• Thursday – run
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (12 miles)
• Sunday –  rest day

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – What I am Looking Forward to in 2023
• Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any winter big races?  Any snow where you live? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

My co-worker was still out sick so that meant that I had to go to NYC and work in Queens all week!!

Last Week:

• Sunday – Winter Series #3. Though there were 3 options:  5.5k, 10k or 25k, I choose the shortest one (since I had run 9 miles the day before).

It was windy with feels like 10 temps but still fun.  I ran/walked with my running friend (until the last 1/2 mile or so) and we finished with a 2 minute PR over Winter Series #1 (same distance.)

After the race, I went to my office to get things ready for my week in NYC, then went grocery shopping, cooked and finally the hubby and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary (which was the next day.)

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. and the DAY OFF!

Although it was my 3rd day running in a row, I never know what the week will bring. So I decided to drive to the other end of the rail trail and go for a short run.

the sunshine and flowing water made up for the vey chilly temps.

Then I had to pack before heading to Manhattan by train

sunset on the Hudson R.

I checked into my hotel and relaxed.

• Tuesday – First I had to check out of my hotel and then head by subway to Jamaica, Queens to work.

I was staying in a different hotel for the next three nights so after I returned to Manhattan, I had to retrieve my luggage and then check into my new hotel (The one I usually stay in).

By this point, I decided to call it a “rest day.”  That makes me laugh since the day was anything but restful.

Coincidentally, my friend Cari also decided not to run so we met for dinner instead.

• Wednesday – Up at 6am and on the 7am subway to Jamaica.

sunrise was more impressive in person

Another long work day but as soon as I returned to Manhattan, I changed into running clothes and headed out for a “needed” run in Central Park.

I thought I might have to run solo but I was so lucky that Cari had postponed her run until after work. She ran from home and I ran to Cat Hill and then we completed the rest of our run together (which included a visit with Fred and the Onassis Reservoir.)

We both indulged in a cookie for dinner (bought in different Chip City locations. lol)

Talk about a small world… walking down the streets of Manhattan (sweaty from my run), I bumped into the President/Dean of the law school where I used to work.

• Thursday – Working all day and if it was not raining, I was planning another run in the evening.

Nope, it was POURING so Plan B was cheap tix to a Broadway show.

It had a good mixture of serious issues and comedy.

• Friday – Rest Day since I was working in Queens all day and then had to take an evening train back home
• Saturday – Long Run Day (10 miles).

It’s always a challenge in the winter to figure out where to run that is not icy. So I planned on 2 miles with Barbara on the Nisky bike path and then the rest of the miles with Sherry and Stan.

Icy in too many spots but Sherry & I added on some road detours and got it done. Then we joined the others for brunch.

yes, that’s an eagle!

• Sunday – TBD – laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning…. short hike?

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – 1/2 DAY OFF, run
• Tuesday – rest day
• Wednesday – run, dinner out with tennis gals
• Thursday – run
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (11 miles)
• Sunday –  rest day

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Winter Racing
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! How is your year of running beginning? Do you have to travel for work?  If so, how do you fit in your running? Ever run in NYC? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.