March 31, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 3.25.19-3.31.19 – Countdown is on

Two weeks until my next half marathon!!

I’m not as nervous about this one. It’s local. I can sleep in my own bed. It’s a downhill course that I am familiar with. I will know so many runners there.

What I’m saying is that it’ll be another fun race. With no time goals.

I’m not giving up on PRs…or am I?

Maybe next year, it can be a goal race – with a training plan and no sore calf. We’ll see.

Last week –

Monday – So today was the second meeting of the Freihofer Challenge Training group. At least it was a little warmer than last week but still cold and windy. Again I hesitated to run with the Advanced group since I had done my long run the day before (Also the slower advanced runners joined another running group this year). So I started out with them, slowed down and quit after their first loop.

Tuesday – After two days in a row of running, I took a rest day. I met my BFF for dinner and a walk around the mall.
Wednesday – Off to LI for work. I arrived early enough to get in a run, set up for the next day

still chilly but a little more springy than upstate

and then had dinner with 2 high school classmates.

yes, they are twins…friends since junior high

Thursday – Another post work run in the same park as the day before.

I thought it was going to be warmer when I left in the am…brrrr

Friday – A rest day because I had to drive home from LI after work.
Saturday -. I originally thought that I may do a long run today but after a long drive and late arrival home last night, I decided to sleep in. However when the temps went up to 60 degrees with a forecast of rain for Sunday, I changed my mind and went out for run. Not the 12 on my schedule just in case I would race the next day.

last weekend, I ran the first half of my upcoming half course and today I did the 2nd half… holy uphill on the way back to my car (so I had to have ice cream)

in case you’re wondering…tiramisu

Sunday – I decided (maybe stupidly) to test my leg in an actual race so I signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle, a 5 mile race about an hour north of where I live. I almost bailed because it was pouring and very windy. No course PR or AG award but still wet fun.

This Coming Week –

Monday – FRW Training Challenge Run (3 miles)
Tuesday – rest day, Chiro appt
Wednesday – 4 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest day, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – rest day, NYC trip with friends??
Sunday – Delmar Dash Race (5m) + 5m, movie with friends

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.

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Any spring races? Do you run any half marathons or marathons just for FUN. Would you run a race if it were pouring? Please share.

March 24, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 3.18.19-3.24.19: Recovering & a Wedding

Normally I feel good after a half marathon but apparently the hills and my lack of training made my quads feel like I had been run over by a mack truck LOL

However, running was the last thing on my mind. My stepson’s wedding was this week!!

Last week –

Monday – So today was the first meeting of the Freihofer Challenge Training group. I had signed up for the advanced group long before I got injured. I now planned to show up and just say “hi” to my friends.

There was FOMO, of course, so I compromised and started a run/walk with the Intermediate group. My legs felt like lead and I quit halfway and ran back with another friend (not part of the group). Listening to my body…a new thing.

another reason, I quit…I was FREEZING!!

Tuesday – Still resting and had my post race appt with my chiro. She was very happy and we will just continue with maintenance appts before my big races.
Wednesday – Resting was over. Could not skip running with friends and warmish temps.

it was sluggish and the calf appeared to be sore again…still glad to be outside

Thursday – No time to run. Today I had to go to the wedding rehearsal and then to dinner after.

love our cool gifts

Friday – I had planned to run before my hair appt. but it was raining/snowing so decided to sleep in instead.

Wedding Day. It was beautiful. Everything worked out perfectly and we all had a blast.

Saturday – I thought about running this morning…for about a minute. Too much fun the night before. Instead I went to a birthday party/knitting/coloring gathering with my tennis friends.

Followed by the last of the Wedding functions – a family lunch at the newlyweds’ home. (Yes I can eat two lunches in one day!!)

Sunday – Too much eating the last three days so I needed to run. Unsure of how many miles my leg could take. 11 miles was on my schedule and Jen offered to run with me. She is super fast and training for a sub-2 half. So we met at the rail trail and ran together for a while. I let her go and I ran solo. Then we met for brunch afterward.

the weather was absolutely perfect (I was over-dressed)

This Coming Week –

Monday – FRW Training Challenge Run (3 miles)
Tuesday – rest day, mall walk with BFF
Wednesday – drive to LI (for work), 3 miles, dinner with HS classmates
Thursday – 4 miles in LI
Friday – rest day, drive home from LI
Saturday – rest day
Sunday – Shamrock Shuffle Race (5m) + 6-7m

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Any signs of spring in your area? Post race DOMS anyone?

March 10, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 3.4.19-3.10.19

Lots of ups and downs. Most of them unrelated to running.

Last week –

Monday – Today I took the train to NYC for work. Some snow and ice but not too much to be able to meet Cari and go for a long walk. (Yes being good about NOT running.)

great Hudson River sunset, conversation & pizza!

Tuesday – A long work day but hoping that the roads in Central Park were clear enough to go running. And they were. The run was not without discomfort but still grateful to be doing it and having company. Thanks Cari.

Wednesday – As promised I did not run but it was hard to hold back. Instead I took a walk to Times Square and back to see a Broadway show.

great cast and entertaining show

Thursday – Another long work day. I had planned to either run along the East River or meet Cari in the park but decided to give the leg another day of rest. Went to the movies instead. (This not running is getting expensive.)

very creepy movie

Friday – Rest day because I had to take the train back home after work.
Saturday – Long Run Saturday. Last one before my race. Normally it would be a taper but I was still building up mileage on the legs after the injury runbbatical. I ran alone for a few miles and then had company for the rest. Leg felt better the longer I ran. Still not healed and I followed brunch with a painful ART session. (appt #6)

perfect weather for one day!

My chiro agreed that it is a strange injury and should maybe see an ortho after the race. Lots of standing, walking and stairs in NYC seemed to irritate my calf and it appeared as tight as my first visit. Yet when I run (and don’t walk), the discomfort seems to disappear the longer I run. She thinks I should run the half marathon. So that’s what I’ll do.

Sunday – Rest Day, errands and some bridal stuff with my daughter-in-law to be.

This Coming Week –

Monday – rest day, ART appt #7
Tuesday – 4 miles
Wednesday – rest day, wake
Thursday – DAY OFF – my brother-in-law’s funeral, ART appt #8
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – rest day, bus to NYC, expo
Sunday – NYC Half Marathon!!

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Is it still winter where you live? Please share.

March 3, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Rundown for 2.25.19-3.3.19: ART, Running & Cats. Oh my…

Tuesday – A long day because I was working as tech support for NYS Bar Exam. I had planned to run after but my chiro forbid it so I went to the gym instead. 30 min on the bike, 30 min on the TM (slow walking) and some arm machines. Iced my leg after. Yes, I’m being good but not a happy camper. Good thing it as a COLD blustery day!

Wednesday – After work, I went to my 4th ART appt. It seems that in addition to a sore calf, I have a tight ankle and extremely tight fascia. I guess I’m getting my money’s worth from my chiro. I had hoped to go to a Fleet Feet event where runners/walkers took the brand new Cloud Swift running shoe out for a test run while searching for ON-Running Balloons that were placed not too far from the store. But the run got cancelled due to a snowstorm and my chiro wouldn’t allow it anyway.
Thursday – Day #2 at the Bar Exam and I was hopeful that I would finish in time to go to Cat Yoga. I don’t do yoga anymore but I couldn’t resist something with the word “cat” in it.

I got out of work early. So tempted to run but I was good and stopped at the gym to walk on the tm then headed to yoga. I can’t remember the last time I did yoga. It’s been years. But not running much does have advantages, more time for things like this. (Who am I kidding, the old me ran 3 miles before yoga class.) Anyway, it was loads of fun. The cats walked around, on your mat, stopping for pets. It was hard not taking one home.

Friday – Last day at the Bar Exam. I had time for a chiro approved short run before my evening mah jongg game. And my Sole Sisters we’re able to join me. Win win.

Saturday – ART Appt. #5 (due to being away all of next week.) Still little improvement on the calf front. She tried some new tricks and looked at my tight IT band and hips this time, as well. Unfortunately it interfered with my Long Run day. But according to the weather forecast, it was supposed to be lousy out but it was not. Instead, I went to the local running store and bought a new pair of running shoes. I decided that I should wear a shoe with more support …so Mizuno Inspires it is. We’ll see.
Sunday – Postponed long run. I was lucky and Sole Sister Barbara agreed to run 5 miles with me. Since it was just the two of us, we stayed local and ran around the neighborhoods where we live. My calf still felt annoying but less tight the longer I ran. It was actually my quads that were screaming when I added 3 more miles after Barbara left. They are not used to this low mileage. Anyway, I was psyched in the improvement of my leg (the shoes??)

2 weeks to go until NYC!!

Blue skies, sunshine, 30s…perfect weather warranted an ice cream cone.

This Coming Week –

As you can see, my running plans are up in the air….I want to be trained for the NYC Half Marathon but I also do not want to worsen my leg pain. However, I will be in NYC!!! See my dilemma. There are some family stuff going on as well which may impact my trip to NYC or my half marathon.

Monday – ?? miles, train to NYC for work (probably a rest day and a walk on the High line)
Tuesday – 3 miles in NYC (hopefully in CP with Cari)
Wednesday – ?? miles in NYC (probably another rest day and a walk)
Thursday – 3 miles in NYC (hopefully a run along the Hudson)
Friday – rest day , train home
Saturday – ~~Running of the Green race~~, ART appt #6
Sunday – Long Run (10 miles??) – 1 week to Go!!

As they said “All good things must come to an end.” So thank you to Tricia, then Wendy and Holly for the Weekly Wrap. It was awesome and will be missed.

and from now on, every week, I will be linking up with Kim and Deborah for

And also linking up with Jenn @ Runswithpugs, Brandi @ Funnerrunner, Anna Louise @ Graciouswarriorprincess, Briana @ Matsmilesmedals, Meghan @ Meghanonthemove, and Elizabeth @ Trainwithbain for #RIOTS(running is our therapy)

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Anyone nursing a sore something? Anyone run in Mizuno Inspires? Please share.