One of my local running friends winters in Florida.  I was lucky again this year that she invited Heidi and I to visit.

last December

Last Week –

• Sunday – A rest day after an emotional 7 hour trip to and from Boston the day before…

I managed to get a lot of needed errands done and meet up with a friend to plan a March race-cation…

• Monday – A WFH day so I was able to squeeze in a run at lunchtime.

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my ‘hood…

• Tuesday – WFH but no time until after work to get a run done…

and then I looked outside and it was SNOWING!!

I waited and it seemed to stop so I headed into town (there are street lights there)..

as soon I started running, it started snowing but it didn’t last long and it was quite peaceful…

and then home to pack!!

• Wednesday – I got up early to run (since I wasn’t sure about how much I would get to run while in FL), it was 18 degrees…. I went back to bed. LOL

After work today, Heidi and I flew to Tampa.

Deirdre and Kevin picked us up at the airport (which was about an hour from their home) and my vacation began…

• Thursday and Friday – Check FB and IG for pix of my early Florida adventures.

• Saturday – Maybe a Pirate Race in Holiday, Fl. There were several distances: 5k, 10k, 15k, 13.1.  The course was a 5k loop. There weren’t many total participants signed up sooo….not sure if this will happen.
• Sunday – Last day for warm weather shenanigans – check FB and IG for pix.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – fly home
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday – train to NYC, Broadway show, dinner, train home
• Thursday – run
• Friday- mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
• Sunday – train to NYC (for work)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – 2024 Bling
• Friday –  What I learned from my 3rd NYC Marathon

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter? Planning any warm weather vacations? 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.

After 9 weeks of Couch to 5k, today is the big race.  First 5k for the STEM participants.

Last Week –

• Sunday – The morning started out cold but it warmed up and I took advantage of my free time to go on a road trip.

My friend is not a runner or a hiker but she likes shopping and ice cream…

we spent the day roaming the shops in in Lenox, MA and then had ice cream in Lee, MA.

• Monday – Back to WFH and tonight was week 9 of our STEM 5k training for new runners.

30 min. running straight

• Tuesday – I had to go into the office today and cancel my after work hair appt.

I learned last week that a former co-worker died suddenly. For over 20 year, we taught side by side. I taught French and he taught Spanish. We bonded over the fact that we were exactly the same age… and so for my bday, he brought me Napoleons (his uncle owned an Italian bakery) and I baked him an apple pie. He was also the track coach and he ran everyday and even completed the Boston marathon. Of course, at that time, I thought running was crazy. He was still teaching and coaching when he died but now he biked rather than ran and laughed when he found out that I became a runner.

To make a long story short, he had a heart attack and tonight was the wake…

He never boasted about his running accomplishments.  I had no idea how good he was when he was young until after he died, I looked up his stats…

2:24 finish in Boston, Olympic trials…

• Wednesday – Teaching live for the next three days (I had to miss the funeral) … that meant morning Starbucks and a run after work.

Although I usually volunteer only on Mondays for STEM, I decided to join the group today.  One of the participants would not be able to do the race on Sunday so we decided to have our own informal 5k for her and many of the other participants joined her.

congrats Tiffany

• Thursday – Same as Wednesday except, my run was replaced by my hair appt.

• Friday – Same but mah jongg in the evening, some of my running friends and I signed up to do a walk on a local trail.

It rained ALL day and so it was only Deb and I who ventured out on this walk.

the rained stopped and it was lovely…

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. Since I had a 5k race scheduled for the next day and I wasn’t sure what I’d be doing.

Judy & I decided to run 3 miles and then walk 3… and join all the others for brunch.

windy, chilly not a picture perfect ay but at leas t no rain

Afterward, I picked up my bib for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving…

• Sunday – Upstate Classic 5k.  I mentored the STEM group of new runners so I will be there to support them.

I may be running or walking or run/walking.  No matter what, it will be a rewarding experience.

spring 2024 race…

In the evening, I have anniversary dinner planned to celebrate 16 years of playing mah jongg.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – DAY OFF – run, lunch with my SIL
• Tuesday – run, walk with BFF
• Wednesday – walk
• Thursday – Troy Turkey Trot 10k
• Friday- mah jongg at my house
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
• Sunday – walk/hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Upstate Classic 5k Race Recap
• Friday –  Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall/winter? Planning any Turkey Trots? How’s your weather? 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.

I always have big races on my schedule.

But now I don’t..

I’m undecided about my Florida February half or any other halfs before our October race-cation.

Last Week –

• Sunday – I started the day at the gym (my last week!!)

Big FOMO as I read all the posts by my friends running the Stockade-athon 15k.

I told them that I’ll be back next year!!

I met my tennis friends for an early dinner and then we toured Troy Glow.

unfortunately it was raining…

• Monday – DAY OFF – so many options but I decided on a scenic walk

and then in the evening the STEM group run.

week 8… 28 minutes of running straight!!

• Tuesday – A morning gym visit (my last for awhile) and then a walk in the mall with my BFF after work.

• Wednesday – I decided to actually run before work… Below freezing…not ready yet so I waited until lunchtime when it had warmed up a little.

had to get out the winter gear…

• Thursday – I had to teach live today so I started with my Starbucks

pumpkin cream chai (still Fall)

and ended with a run…

had to rush to finish before dark…

• Friday – Same as Thursday except no run… mah jongg instead.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. 

I felt ok last week with 6 miles so I decided to stretch it to 7… I had company from Judy for 4 of the 7 miles.

Oops, I picked a bike path where there was a Girls on the Run 5k happening at the same time

• Sunday – Gym membership on hold so just a walk or hike

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run with STEM
• Tuesday – hair appt wake for a friend 😦
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run hair appt
• Friday- run?, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch) or maybe just a walk…
• Sunday – Upstate Classic 5k (as a STEM mentor), in the evening out to dinner to celebrate with mah jongg ladies (16 years of playing together on Friday nights).

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Grateful Post
• Friday –  5 Reasons to be Thankful for Running

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Planning any Turkey Trots? Ever run at the same place where there was a race going on? 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.

All that planning and training and just like that, it’s over!!

Last Weekend and Week –

• Saturday – I headed to NYC by train early so I could attend Ali on the Run‘s live show.

sunrise on the Hudson R.

I had to check my bag at the station and walk several blocks to Volvo where the show was held.

It was definitely worth it… so entertaining. (Keira D’Amato was Ali’s fun guest.)

It lasted longer than I thought so I had to rush to meet Cari for lunch. The restaurant was near the expo so you can imagine how crowded it was… but that just gave us for more time to chat.

Afterward, she accompanied me to the expo and became my personal photographer.

Ali & Keira, potato latkes for lunch, with Cari, ORANGE race shirt, with my bib at the expo

The expo was close to closing but still crowded.  Luckily I really didn’t need to buy a thing.

Then it was back to the train station to retrieve my bag and take the subway downtown to my hotel.

After I checked in and unpacked, it was time to meet my friends Stan and Sherry (who had deferred but came anyway to cheer) for dinner.

We ate pasta at Eataly and since it was still early we found a bar to hang out at.

Finally back at the hotel to get ready for the big day.

• Sunday – TCS NYC Marathon!

My hotel was just a few blocks from the ferry so I didn’t have to get up early.

After my coffee and oatmeal in my room, I walked over to the ferry.

I bumped into a new bestie, Priscilla, who was running her 1st NYCM and we spent the next 3 hours chatting.

3 hours?  Yes.  The ferry ride was easy peasy but then you had to wait to get on the buses….

Eventually we arrived, went though security and parted.  She had to enter the blue village and I the pink.

No need for throw aways since I was not there long enough.  I grabbed a bagel and they called my corral.

Yikes.  Barely enough time to use the port-a-pottie and get rid of ALL my extra (unnecessary) clothes.

The cannon went off. Frank Sinatra started singing and off we went.  I teared here and many times during this race.

I knew that the race would be hard. But I thought I had trained enough… but it was tougher than I wanted it to be.  I took it slow, walked A LOT and took in all the music, signs, scenery, spectators, etc. (along with 57,000 runners, 7, 000 volunteers and zillions of crazy cheering people).

I was able to catch my local running friends who came to race THREE times.  Their support was invaluable.

And I finished!!

on the ferry, Priscilla, at the start, mile 7 and finally done…

I got my medal, poncho, food, and dragged myself many blocks to meet up with my friends and squeeze into the subway to get back to the hotel.

After I took a LONG shower, we had drinks at the hotel and then all went out to dinner to celebrate…

• Monday – Oy! So sore!!

I decided to skip attending the Kelly Clarkson Show and go for a walk while waiting for the friends to get up.

along the East R.

We checked out of our hotel and headed uptown and then left our bags at the train station.

Sherry & I decided to try out those Normatec boots at the Recovery zone in Central Park.

Then we had a delicious brunch followed by Levain cookies

We still had time so we took the subway to Hudson Yards.  With your Marathon bib, you got free entrance to The Edge (tallest outdoor view in Northern Hemisphere).  Very cool.

Stan’s son works nearby so we got to see his office.  Wow, his view was just as amazing as from The Edge.

Finally it was time to get our bags and sit on the train for a few hours (yes, my feet were aching.)

• Tuesday –  Election Day!

I had to return to NYC to work the next day. But I took a later than usual train since I had just returned the night before.

So I had time to head to the gym (my membership doesn’t expire until Nov 15.)

When I arrived in Manhattan, I checked into my hotel and then went for a walk before I nervously awaited the results of the election.

Miraculously my legs and feet felt fine!!

I decided to continue taking advantage of my Marathon freebies and visited The Vessel (saved $10) and then went again to The Edge (saved $44)) and ended with a walk along the High Line.

sooo windy at The Edge (glad I had gone on Monday), view was great, the big pigeon was on the High Line and yes I climbed all those stairs to the top of the Vessel

• Wednesday – Work this time was in the Financial District (instead of Jamaica Queens).

I checked out of my hotel and took a subway there. I arrived early so I walked around the area.

the Bull, Stock Exchange, WTC, Battery Park (Statue of Liberty in the distance, lights up for Christmas already

A very strange day, to say the least.

After work, I took the subway back to my hotel, retrieved my bag and took the train home.

sunset on the Hudson R – setting so early!

Long Day!! A “SAD” day.

• Thursday – Hooray- WFH, time for laundry and attempting my first run after the marathon.

got it done before it got dark… phew and I felt good

• Friday – Had to go to the office today..

sorry too warm out for a Holiday beverage and cup.

and after, I stopped off to see my granddaughter before dinner and mah jongg.

not just walking but running…

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. Is 6 miles considered “long?”

I was happy to  connect with my local running friends and chat over a long brunch (longer than the run. LOL)

When I got home, a friend suggested that we go wine tasting… why not?

• Sunday – Today I plan to hit the gym and in the afternoon, I have plans with tennis friends have a late lunch and then see Troy Glow.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – DAY OFF – Holiday, run with STEM
• Tuesday – walk
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run
• Friday- mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
• Sunday – walk/hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – TCS NYC Marathon Race Recap
• Friday –  5 Thanksgiving Menu Favorites

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter? Are the temps cooling down where you live? Getting ready to run a Turkey Trot? 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.

Suspense….

Stay tuned to hear how it went.

If you are tracking me, send me some good luck vibes!!

Last Week –

• Sunday – I started the day at the gym, followed by errands and

first time that I’ve ever voted early…

and then a walk (before the fall foliage has completely disappeared.)

picture perfect day along the Normanskill Creek

• Monday – DAY OFF – I went to the gym again this morning.

what was on my mind??

My hiking buddies are on the DL but I had to stay home anyway to get Ali on the Run live show tix before they sold out.

Nope.  Sold out in a millisecond? (I actually tix had in 2019 but it was at the same time as Meb and I chose Meb).

So I went out to lunch with my SIL.

And in the evening, I attended week 6 with the STEM group.

that was a pic of the law school lit up with purple lights.. I guess I was running too fast. LOL

• Tuesday – Back WFH.

Resting the legs this week so just a walk with my BFF after work.

• Wednesday – After work, I had a prehab appt. with my chiro and then went to a farewell dinner for a friend who is moving to Fla.

• Thursday –

Guess what? I got an email saying that I did get tix to Ali’s live show!!

Just WFH day for me followed by my last run before the marathon.

75 degrees!!!

Last year we had so many trick or treaters that I ran out of candy… So I bought more candy this time.  And of course, very few this year (though they may have come when I was out running??).

The hubby and I will be eating lots of …

Maybe I will do what Des Linden does…

• Friday – Just WFH again, packing and mah jongg in the evening

• Saturday – I took an early train to NYC. As soon as I arrived, I checked my bag at the station and headed to the Ali on the Run live show.

It was fun… Keira D’Amato was her guest.

Keira had won our local 5k in June.

I was thrilled that I could also squeeze in time with Cari. We had lunch together after the show.

My next stop was the expo. As usual, it was so organized and I was in and out in no time.

Orange race shirt? I guess to match the ponchos…

Finally, I retrieved my bag, took the subway downtown to my hotel (in the financial district near the ferry), checked in and then met my friends for my carb loading dinner.

pizza, of course!!

#flatme

and throwaways organized for an early wake up (and sleepless night).

weather prediction…

• Sunday – TCS NYC Marathon!!!!!

I don’t start until close to 11:00 am…

My running friends Sherry and Stan, who had decided to defer, came for the weekend to cheer me on. My friends Heidi and Deb came in for the day.

This year for the first time I took the ferry/bus to the start and it worked out fine.

Check out FB and IG for pics and to see how I did.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – recovering in NYC, Kelly Clarkson Show, HSS Recovery Zone in CP, lunch, train home
• Tuesday – gym, train to NYC (for work)
• Wednesday – train home
• Thursday – run
• Friday- gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch) – Just 6 miles in preparation for two 10ks coming up.
• Sunday – gym, walk/hike, Troy Glow

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Breaking Up With the Gym
• Friday –  Reasons to Run a Turkey Trot

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Are the temps cooling down where you live? Did you get a lot of treat or treaters? Are you tracking the NYC marathon? 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.

One week to go!!! Gulp!

Last Week –

• Sunday – I finally returned to the gym…

After some stuff done in the house and some errands, I decided that it was too nice a day to waste.

So I headed out to do some leaf peeping.

Hike #1:

soo dry but pretty

Hike #2:

Both hikes were short and easy. But I was happy that my legs felt great (even after the 20 miler the day before.)

• Monday – WFH all week. Yay.

After work, I squeezed in a visit with my granddaughter.

She’s walking!!

It was week 5 for the STEM group and so that was my run for the day.

they’re up to 5 minutes of running straight

• Tuesday – Another busy work day but at least I was able to get out after work for a walk with a friend.  80 degrees!!

beautiful colors this year but it gets dark so early that we had to rush…

• Wednesday – Today I had to get my run done at lunch…

not sure if I was sleep deprived or  experiencing a delayed recovery from the 20 miler, but this run was a struggle

because I was getting together for dinner with a friend.

• Thursday – I started the day at the gym..

The only time for run was after work…

I headed to end of the rail trail hoping I would feel better than the day before…

the temps had dropped and this run felt so much speedier…

• Friday – Another WFH day (and afternoon visit to the office)
  

  decaf and my reward after a long week…

  and then mah jongg in the evening.

• Saturday – Last Long Run!

I debated on how much to run. My plan said 12 miles.

Again I enlisted the help of my running friends.

I ran the first few miles with Barb and the last 5 with Stan.

past peak with lots of fallen leaves… bumped into some other friends along the way… perfect day for my last long run

• Sunday – Gym visit planned and a walk/hike – weather dependent. Start packing? Weather stalking…

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – DAY OFF – gym, (get Ali tix), hike, run (with STEM)
• Tuesday – gym, walk with friends
• Wednesday – chiro appt, farewell dinner for a friend
• Thursday – run (last one!!)
• Friday- gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – early train to NYC, Ali on the Run live show, lunch with Cari, expo, carb load dinner
• Sunday – NYC Marathon!!!!

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Favorites About Fall Running
• Friday –  Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Are the temps cooling down where you live? Peak foliage? 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.

With the 20 miler over, there’s only TWO weeks to go!!

Last Weekend and Week –

• Friday – We left early for Cape Cod in 3 cars.  We all met for lunch

and then checked into our VrBo rental in Falmouth.  After we settled in, we headed out to bib pickup (for the half marathoners) and scouted out the race start location and parking.

I even met Frank Shorter

We relaxed at home for a bit but soon it was time to carb load … on take-out pizza.

#Flatme organized and early to bed (though I didn’t sleep much).

• Saturday – The 4 half marathoners got up early and headed to the race start… We had no problems finding parking and I was surprised that I didn’t need my throw-aways.  I did check a bag (but didn’t need my jacket, either).

The course was very scenic- in neighborhoods, on a bike path but mostly along the water.

Sun and lots of wind along the water and some hills but we all finished. So all is well. (Our friends enthusiastically cheered us through the finish line).

Hot shower and lunch followed by a relaxing afternoon outside.

We celebrated our accomplishment with dinner along the water and roasting smores on our firepit.

• Sunday – We got up early to cheer on the 5k racers.

After their race, we decided to take a boat to Martha’s Vineyard.  We had lunch there, shopped and explored the area (i.e. the gingerbread houses.)

• Monday – I decided to go for a run and headed toward the beach… it was lovely (until I got rained on).

We checked out of our rental and went for a hike at The Knob followed by lunch and then heading home.

• Tuesday – Back to reality.

Dentist, WFH, unpacking, laundry, errands, etc. I wore my running clothes all day because I planned to run but never got out the door. Instead I went for a walk after work with my BFF (in the mall… too cold outside!!)

• Wednesday – WFH again. Still never got my run done until after work when volunteering with the STEM group.

week 4…

• Thursday – Early morning train to NYC. After checking into my hotel, I headed to Central Park because I hadn’t run there since July…

beautiful day although the leaves haven’t changed like upstate

In the evening, I went out to dinner with a college friend.

• Friday – Early work day in Jamaica Queens and then back home on the train…

perfect timing for a sunset ride

• Saturday – 20 miles!!!! I was so glad to have Judy’s company for 6.5 miles and Stan’s for 8 miles… It’s wasn’t easy but it’s done!  The hay is in the barn as they say…

• Sunday – I hope to return to the gym and go for a walk/hike…

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run, STEM mentoring
• Tuesday – gym, walk
• Wednesday – run, dinner with a friend
• Thursday – run
• Friday- gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
• Sunday –  gym

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Cape Cod Half Marathon Race Recap
• Friday –  Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Are the temps cooling down 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.