November 30, 2014 by Darlene

November Recap

november

Run 3-4 times each week.YES!

after STEM volunteering

on the track during lunchtime

when the weather is bad

after work

Walk once a day while at work. YES!

indoors when raining or too cold

Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week. YES!

Volunteer in the STEM training runs once a week. YES!

Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace (if I run any.) YES!

5K - 58:16

Complete a 10K race. YES! and a PR!

Complete a 15K race. YES! and a PR!

Do long runs on the weekend in preparation for half marathon #10. YES on most weekends!

Run at least 80 miles. YES!

nov14

Go to the gym at least once a week. YES! Most weeks.
Start knitting hat #3 YES! and finished it.

DECEMBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk once a day while at work.
Run with a group when possible.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace.
Complete a 15K race.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #10 on January 17.
Run at least 80 miles
Go to the gym at least once a week.
Start back at yoga.
Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties)
Spend time with my mentee

Happy Running! How was your November? Anything special planned for December?

November 7, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Staying healthy & on track during the holidays

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Staying healthy & on track during the holidays

1. Bring healthy snacks to work. If you are hungry, you will be tempted to eat something unhealthy. This is what I always have in my lunch bag everyday.

2. Walk whenever you can. That means taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Eat a quick lunch and go for a walk. Take a walk after dinner.

3. Sign up for a race. If you do, you will be motivated to get out and run. Running burns calories, right?

4. Do some kind of cross-training activity that you enjoy– work out, do yoga, pilates, zumba, play tennis or whatever you can to stay active.

5.Get on the scale. I rarely get on the scale but I try to weigh myself more frequently during the holidays. Nothing like several lbs gained to make me lose my appetite.

Will I cheat? Of course but I try to make them worthwhile cheats on special occasions. (I have a weakness for desserts…)

holidayparty2013 003

christmas cookie exchange at work

Happy Running! How do you stay healthy & on track during the holidays?

October 15, 2014 by Darlene

Manitoba Hemp Hearts Review

As a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I was given the opportunity to try this product*:

I had never heard of eating “hemp” (I thought it was another name for “maijuana”) so I looked it up their website – http://manitobaharvest.com

Food, clothing, rope, paper, building materials, animal bedding/herd, plastic, paint, fuel – the list of hemp applications goes go on and on. We like to call hemp the “green buffalo” as every part of the plant can be used. Hemp that is grown in Western Canada is primarily used for hemp foods. At the top part of the hemp plant you will find the hard hemp seed. This small seed “seeds” nutritiously delicious products like Hemp Hearts, hemp protein powder, and hemp oil.

What should you eat Hemp Hearts?

Great tasting – Hemp Hearts have a slightly nutty taste, similar to a sunflower seed or pine nut.
Easy to use – Simply sprinkle Hemp Hearts on salad, cereal & yogurt, add to smoothies and recipes, or eat them straight from the package!
Nutritious – per 30 gram serving, Hemp Hearts contain 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of Omegas.
Hemp Hearts have more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of chia or flax.

I would be the first to admit that I am not the most healthy eater. I don’t go out of my way to make recovery shakes or add chia, flax or kale into my meals.

I buy an occasional protein bar and hot cereal with flax.

I do realize that eating foods that contain protein and omegas are beneficial for athletes so I decided to give Hemp Hearts a try.

I added them to my hot cereal for breakfast.

I have also added them to my yogurt for lunch.

I even snacked on them out of the bag.

I really enjoyed the nutty taste, and I feel that hemp hearts make a good alternative to nuts. I liked the unique velvet texture of the hemp hearts.

So if you’re looking for a healthy snack and add more good stuff to your diet, I highly recommend these Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts.

Until November 30, 2014, you can get 20% off your order from ManitobaHarvest.com with the code HHSweatPink14.

Happy Running! Have your tried Hemp Hearts?

_____________
*I was sent this product free of charge. I have not been compensated for my review, my opinions are my own.

August 1, 2014 by Darlene

July rundown

JULY GOALS:

Repeated goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES!

before work

after work

during work

new trails on a day off

bike path on the weekend

Continue planks. Not often 😦
Go to Yoga at least 2x. YES! 2X
Walk at least once a day at work. YES! Everyday!

am walk

pm walk

Play tennis outdoors once a week. YES! 3X (got rained out 1x)

Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk. Not often 😦
Run any 5k or 10K races under 10 minutes per mile! Barely!

Turning Point 5k -30:49

Run at least 75 miles this month. YES!

july14

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. YES! Of course.

his reaction to the race shirts that I sent him

New goals:

Lose at least 5 lbs. NOPE!! 😦
Add weekly long runs. YES until my half.

July 5

Complete my 9th half marathon. YES!

a tough one at 2:26:00 but won 2nd in my AG

Choose a fall or winter half marathon. Nope! Still only have the 10 miler in October.

10-26-14 in NJ

Start training for a fall half. Nope!

I also spent time on our boat on Lake George.

I spent 2 days at my friend’s on the Schroon River.

I saw Jimmy Buffet in concert!!

he was awesome…

August Goals:

Repeated goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Continue planks.
Go to Yoga at least 2x.
Walk at least once a day at work.
Play tennis outdoors once a week
Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk.
Run any 5k or 10K races under 10 minutes per mile!
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

New goals:

See my mentee Amanda (she is no longer moving away.)
Eat healthy…lose those annoying extra lbs.
Run at least once a week before work.
Decide on a winter half.

Happy Running! How was your July? Anything special planned for August?

May 6, 2014 by Darlene

My birthday week

There will be a whole lot of eating going down:

Tuesday: dinner out with BFF

one of my local favs

Friday: dinner out with co-workers (MY BIRTHDAY)

eat free on your b-day – can’t beat that

Saturday: lunch out with mentee and sons

Sunday: dinner out with hubby

on Lake George – always wanted to go here

Wednesday or Thursday: dinner out with tennis friends in Florida

Turtle Club for sunset

I guess I better squeeze in some running between my meals.

Wednesday: run before yoga
Thursday: run sometime during the workday??
Friday: run sometime during the workday

Sunday – 5K race or maybe the 10K

May 11. 2014

Tuesday: run sometime during the workday

One problem…the weather 😦

this does not make me happy especially Sunday!!

Happy Birthday! How do you usually celebrate your birthday?

April 26, 2014 by Darlene

Run-gry Has Turned to Hungry

That was fine when I was running long on the weekends. I started in August to train for a October Half Marathon, then there was a 15K in November and one in January, as well as a 10 miler in January.

There were many posts that included pics like this

I was still Run-gry after that because I continued to train for a March 30 Half Marathon.

still more of this

Eating everything in sight has become a habit.

I still run at least 3 times a week. Usually after work. I am hungry all the time and eat frequently.

This is what I eat on an average weekday:

oatmeal – 7 am
bagel & biscoff – 9 am
yogurt – 11 am
apple or pear – 12 pm
string cheese – 2 pm
protein bar – 4 pm
dinner (meat, rice, vegetable) – 6:30 pm
ice cream – 8 pm

I run on the weekends but my races have been 5ks and 4 milers. The problem is that I am carbloading like it was a long run and I am still ordering desserts like I was running 25 miles each week.

work temptations

I don’t know for sure that I have gained weight but my clothes are tighter so I probably have (or the weight has just moved to my hips.)

With bathing suit season just around the corner, (I am going to Florida on May 14.) I’ve got to change something!!

A. Eat less and shrink my stomach so I’m not so hungry?

B. Run more and continue eating what I want?

I’m thinking B!

Happy Running! Anyone else have a similar eating disorder?

January 25, 2014 by Darlene

Ice Ice Baby…

Not because it was freezing out (and it was) but a real ice bar.

this was taken the day before on a less snowy day

The Sagamore Resort’s Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge:

36,000 pounds of crystal-clear ice transformed into one of the “hottest and coolest lounges” in the Adirondacks. Exquisite ice carvings and sub-zero temperatures make this swanky lounge an unforgettable experience. The lounge will consist of a frozen back bar, counter and even stools, although the stools will be draped with furs. In addition to drinks appropriate to the frozen north, both chilled and hot, the ice bar will feature foods such as oysters, shrimp and lobster served on beds of snow.

Here’s what it looks in the summer:

We drove up in the afternoon. It was snowing the whole way up and it was COLD!!! First we stopped by our marina. (The lake is frozen and no visibility due to the snow coming down.)

Then we headed to the bar. It was cold! And pretty crowded. There were heaters and a fire pit but still it was cold. The poor bartenders!

The ice sculptures were very cool.

My hubby got a drink. All the drinks had cool names like “Snow Ball,” Old Man Winter,” etc. I had a hot chocolate (that stayed warm for minutes.)

Some of our friends also stopped by to join us.

he was making our friend, Ed’s drink – schnapps & vodka

me & Kathi

Eventually it got too cold outside and we continued our drinks & conversation indoors by the fireplace.

when it got darker, they had skiing on the screen

Afterwards, we headed to the Inn at Erlowest where we had dinner to celebrate our anniversary.

The food was delicious. I had lobster/carrot bisque, ricotta/butternut spinach gnocchi & creme brulee for dessert. Carb loading for my race the next day.

Happy Running! Any special plans for the weekend?

December 31, 2013 by Darlene

December Rundown

DECEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! YES! At least 3x week!

in the park

in town

in the neighborhood

on the bike path

Do not overdo and listen to my body…Do NOT run if foot pain gets worse. YES! Only ran 1 mile on rest days of the streak and then added my rest days back. Foot pain is much improved.
Attend at least 2 yoga classes! YES! Attended 3 classes!
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. YES on most days! Thanks to my co-worker Sherri.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out. I doubt it. It is the holiday season!

ate lots of cookies

and desserts

Start knitting again (socks or something else)

working on a pair of socks

Run before work at least once a week. Not often! Too cold!

would you run?

Run a new route. Yes, sorta. I haven’t run this route in 3 years.

in town and around the golf course

Continue to run some of my long runs with others. Nope. Just couldn’t coordinate our days. I usually run on Saturday and they run on Sunday. Definitely plan to do it next month!
Run at least one race. YES!

Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler) YES!

8 miles on the Corning bike trail

Complete the RW Running Streak (run at least 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Year’s) NO! I decided to quit after 10 days straight.

Run at least 70 miles this month. YES! 86 – my biggest month this year!

I also visited NYC with 2 friends.

I spent some time with my mentee Amanda and her sons. In fact I saw them 3 times this month.

I celebrated quite a few dinners out – 5 birthdays, 2 tennis parties, Christmas & New Year’s Eve. Holy waist line!

tennis friend Suzy’s b-day

former co-worker Cheryl’s b-day

college friend Judy’s b-day

tennis party

I went to see several very enjoyable movies: Philomena, Catching Fire, Book Thief, American Hustle, Saving Mr Banks.

I also read some good books including What Alice Forgot, the Aviator’s Wife, the Orphan Train.

JANUARY GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body!
Attend at least 2 yoga classes!
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over.
Run before work at least once a week.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others
Complete my first 10 mile race.
Run at least one other race.
Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon)
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your December? Anything exciting planned for January?

December 17, 2013 by Darlene

Two (Too) for Tuesday

1. TOO COLD OUTSIDE! If I had to run a race, maybe! Otherwise, no way am I going outside to run! (It’s snowing also.)

2. TOO MUCH EATING GOING ON! Cookies…treats..frozen yogurt…dinner out…dinner out…dinner out…party…lunch out. That’s my week! Yikes!

Christmas cookies at work

Happy Running! How is your week going?

November 24, 2013 by Darlene

Running and Eating

Not this bad…I don’t do both at the same time!

This seems to be a familiar topic.

I am not delusional to think that a run can burn off the huge quantities of fattening food that I have been eating. But things would be a lot worse if I were a couch potato.

Thursday – Thanksgiving Lunch

turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, run, bread pudding

1 walk before and 1 walk and a 4 mile run after – I don’t think I even burned off the homemade bread pudding (not pictured.)

running 4 miles in the dark with my new “white” shoes

Friday – Holiday Party

lasagna, chicken, roast beef, veggies, baked potato (not pictured)

I had the pecan pie & chocolate cake

No exercise at all 😦 (I’ll blame the rain.)
Saturday – Dinner out with Lake George friends

I added a sweet potato instead of pasta

pumpkin cheesecake – yum!

8 mile run beforehand on the Nisky Bike Path 🙂

windy windy windy

started out cloudy but then the sun came out

now that the leaves have fallen, there are better views of the Mohawk River

happy to be done …NO FOOT PAIN – YAY! more fun last weekend running with others but they were running today when it was COLDER, cloudier & WINDIER!!!!