May 30, 2013 by Darlene

May Update and June Goals

Unfortunately, this was a low mileage month.

MAY GOALS UPDATE —

Continue to run regularly (outdoors unless it is raining then on the treadmill at work). YES! 3-4x each week for at least 3 miles

one of my favorite routes = Washington Park

Continue to fit in tennis & yoga in my schedule (once per week). YES (did yoga weekly except when on vacation & then I played tennis)

played tennis for 7 days in a row!

Take a lunch break – we get an hour but I eat at my desk – now that the weather is nice I should go for a walk – Not exactly but I have been walking 1 mile in the morning and 1 mile in the afternoon with a co-worker (on some days). She is diligent about taking her breaks!

Get up early and do some runs before work. YES I have been running once or twice a week before work – prefer it, too.
Eat healthy & keep a reasonable weight. Not exactly – birthdays, vacations, etc.
Don’t let my running schedule take over – make time for family and friends (and mentees). YES.

Add longer runs on the weekend with the goal being a 10 mile race in June. Not exactly – I only ran more than 3 once and that was last weekend (6 miles).
Run at least one race. YES. Ran two 5ks.

Mother’s Day 5K

Run several times during my tennis vacation in Florida. YES, Ran 3x!!

during one of my 3 mile runs

De-clutter the running gear – go through clothes and get rid of those tops & shorts that don’t fit or I don’t wear. Yes. I could do some more but it was a start.

My goals are getting pretty boring but I want goals that that are achievable and relevant so here they are my GOALS for June:

Continue to run at least 3 times per week.

Go for at least 5 walks per week while at work

Get up early and do some runs before work.

Return to doing a plank a day.

Lose some of those vacation pounds.

Run longer (at least 5 miles) once per week.

Run at least two races.

Run more total miles than in May.

Happy Running! How was your May? Any interesting goals set for June?

May 11, 2013 by Darlene

My Birthday Week

Please let it end! I love my friends and my family but…. no more food, please!

It began on Saturday with our first boat ride on Lake George.

my hubby, the captain (wearing my race t-shirt)

We, of course, stopped for lunch. I insisted on a view of the lake.

celebrating with margaritas & bloody marys

We rode around the lake for most of the day. The weather was perfect!!

view from the marina where we keep our boat.

On the way home, we stopped for a root beer float (my favorite.)

On Sunday, after my race, I spent the day with Amanda & her sons. We started in Washington Park, then stopped for ice cream and finished up at the playground in The Crossings. (The race was 3 miles but I am sure I put in more than that running after a 9 month old & a 6 1/2 year old.)

On Monday, I walked to Starbuck’s to get my FREE birthday coffee

it was delish (got a Venti, of course)

and walked to the park to drink it (and I also played tennis after work).

On Tuesday, I got up early to run 3 miles before work and then went out to dinner and a movie to celebrate with my BFF.

On Wednesday, I ran again before work (since rain was forecast for the next few days) and walked to Panera’s to get my FREE birthday pastry

and then walked to the park again.

After work, I went to yoga & rushed home to finish watching Season 3 of Downton Abbey. (I am hooked….can’t wait til season 4.)

Thursday, my actual birthday was my REST day and unfortunately I had to work.

from a friend at work

I went out to dinner to celebrate with a former colleague. It’s a tradition. We go out for both of our birthdays to a restaurant where you eat for FREE on your birthday.

On Friday, I ran in the neighborhood before going to mah jongg. We celebrated there with more cupcakes.

Tonight, I am going out to dinner with hubby. At least, I can call it “carb loading” since I have a 5k race tomorrow.

I am really lucky to have such great friends. I do appreciate their efforts.

Let the diet begin!! (Oops, it’s Mother’s Day this weekend and then I leave for my Florida vacation on Wednesday!!)

Happy Running!

February 28, 2013 by Darlene

3 Things Thursday: Winter, Diet & Anna

Reverse the roles: my hubby is the women & I am the guy

1. The forecast again was for snow yesterday and rain today so although I had worked 11 boring hours at the bar exam on Tuesday, I dragged myself to the bike trail (it was nearby) and ran (sorta) 6 miles. It was late and I was extremely tired but I just had to do it.

It was getting dark when I arrived so I brought a flash light. Then it got really dark (there are no lights) and kinda creepy to be alone on this trail.

So after 3 miles, I got back in the car and finished my run under the street lights of Delmar. I am so glad that I did it. On Wednesday, I woke up to snow.

It quickly turned to rain and my run turned into 3 ugly miles on the treadmill after work.

2. In the theme of healthy eating, my work had a Salad Bowl Potluck lunch yesterday. Everyone brought a salad ingredient and you just added what you wanted to make a big salad. It was fun.

so yummy!

It would have been even more healthy if I didn’t have this snack before lunch.

I was happy until I read that it had 480 calories and didn’t really taste that good.

And I went out to dinner with friends…at a Lebanese restaurant. The food was great, too. (The waiter took a liking to us and gave us free appetizers and free coffee.)

I had Mixed Schawarma (and took 1/2 home)

3. Anna from Russia is Back in the USA for a short vacation. She arrived in NYC on Tuesday. She is going to DC and then returning to NYC. I plan to see her next Wednesday. Can’t wait!!

here we are last May at the NY Botanical Gardens

Happy Running! Are you as ready for spring as I am? Are you a healthy eater?

December 21, 2012 by Darlene

The End is Near…

It was a crazy day weather-wise. It was dark, rainy, windy and then all of a sudden the sun came out and this happened:

Well, it wasn’t the end of the world.

But I wish the eating would end…

Last night I went out to dinner with friends I used to work with. It was fun and yes, I ate a lot including dessert. My friend Cheryl as she does each year gave me 2 boxes of homemade truffles.

Today at work, we had an “End of the World” party. Everyone had to bring in “comfort” food such as mac n cheese, wings, fries, pizza, ribs, desserts, etc.

some dancing as well as eating

My work friend Pershia gave me a box of chocolate – YAY!! More food!

I was stuffed for the second day in a row.

I knew I had to run. The rain had stopped and the wind had died down but I could barely move.

I wound up doing a slow 3 miles rather than 4 but better than nothing

Tonight is Mah Jongg nite. Will I be able to resist more food???

Happy Running! Are you overwhelmed bu holiday treats?

December 19, 2012 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday – The Christmas Cookie Edition

Returned from vacation (where a lot of unhealthy eating went down) to a Cookie Party at work:

Plus – everyday someone else brings a plate of cookies into our office!!!!!!!

Next up:

Dinner with former colleagues tomorrow
End of the World Party on Friday at Work
Birthday dinner over the weekend

Give me strength!!

The good news is that I am running every other day:

3 miles on Sat
4 miles on Mon
hopefully 4 miles after work today
3 miles on Fri
hopefully 4 miles on Sun.

And I played tennis last night for the 1st time since Oct. 1!!!!!

Happy Running! Are you good about staying away from holdiay sweets?

October 1, 2012 by Darlene

Welcome October…Welcome Fall!

September was a pretty busy month even though it didn’t go as planned.

This is what I had hoped:

Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals – not really but I had good intentions
Lower my 5K time – actually I did but not by as much I would have liked
Lower my 10K time – nope because I changed my mind & didn’t run the 10K
Start yoga – nope here too
Join a gym and work out – well, I didn’t really think this would happen

about 8 of those miles were walked 😦

But let’s focus on the good things that happened in September.

I ran in four races.

showing off my medal from the 4.4 Chase Away Leukemia race

I finished a 5K in less than 30 minutes.

doing it at the MPBA 5k

The weather cooperated and we had some more boating weekends.

cool but sunny day on Lake George

I started my weekly tennis contract and am enjoying it.
I stayed in my friend’s house on Schroon River 2 more times (for running, mah jongg). Love it there!

view from the house

I got a surprise visit from my friend in Russia.

at the NY Botanical Gardens

I am enjoying the foliage in the Northeast.

Hiking on the Indian Ladder Trail at Thatcher State Park

I rode my bike (1x)

at the Nisky bike trail along the Mohawk R.

I used the treadmill once.
I won a healthy receipe contest at work AND I won $25 gift card to Walmarts (from The Happy Runner).

this was my prize at work

For October, I am going to go out on a limb and try to:

Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals (that means long runs on the weekend)
Run at a more consistant & faster pace
Start yoga
Join a gym and work out
Lose weight
Eat healthy

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything different planned for October?

September 20, 2012 by Darlene

Spanx, Really?

Fact:

As you age, you gain more belly fat. In aging women, estrogen levels, which influence fat distribution, decrease. As a result, more fat gets stored in the belly. (from http://www.ehow.com/how_8310732_tighten-middle-age-pouch.html#ixzz26vrmrl4M)

This week at work, they sponsored a Healthy Eating workshop. They offered some great new recipes and helpful suggestions. Of course, they were mostly common sense: eat more fruits & vegaetables, exercise, don’t eat late at night, eat healthy snacks, small frequent meals, etc.

However, the presenter (who is also a personal trainer) said that most women want to reduce belly fat and the only way to do that is “Wear Spanx!!

Really?? So depressing…

I was always very thin growing up and I never had to watch what I ate.

My friends still think I am thin but the truth is that I cover it well.

if you wear a belt, it covers your belly

or wear a loose top

I am gaining weight and it is in my belly!!!!!!!! Every pound that I gain goes there! Yuck!

I run and play tennis and eat healthy (most of the time). I was thinking of joining a gym and exercising as well.

I guess I’ll just have to buy a pair of SPANX!!!!

Happy Running! Anyone over 50 who has another solution, let me know!

September 14, 2012 by Darlene

Healthy Friday

I bet you never thought you’d hear the word HEALTHY here.

But this has been a healthy week.

On Wednesday, my work sponsored a potluck lunch:

I made Broccoli Slaw Salad and I won for “Best Use of a Super Food.”

It was a great idea. I tasted some great (healthy) food and got some new recipes (which I may or may not use.) Two of my favorites were Tomato Soup Cake and Veggie Pasta Toss (which also had broccoli slaw in it.)

(Truthfully, I don’t have time to cook 😦 and I just won a FREE week of the Standard Fruit & Vegetable Subscription from FieldGoods)

Anyway, here’s my recipe if you are interested:

Ingredients:

1 package broccoli slaw mix
2 packages chicken flavored ramen noodles (crushed)
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cup unsalted peanuts
1 cup sunflower seeds
½ cup white sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup vinegar
optional – dried cranberries

Directions:

Combine in a large bowl slaw, noodles, green onions.
Whisk together sugar, oil, vinegar, ramen seasoning packets.
Pour mixture over salad and toss.
Add peanuts, sunflower seeds (& cranberries)

This week also I was selected as a Sweat Pink Ambassador (SPA) from fitapproach.com.

Here is their mission:

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick…

in pink

That convinced me (and that I wear pink often to run.)

in pink again

If you are interested too (and like pink shoelaces), check out their website and apply.

Now about my running this week…

Sun – no running but biked
Mon – no running but played tennis
Tues – no running but walked around NYC
Wed – ran 3 miles and walked around the mall
Thurs – no running but walked at lunch
Friday – no running but will walk at lunch

5 days of NO RUNNING and I am NOT INJURED. WTH?

I wonder how that will affect my race tomorrow!!!

Happy Running! Do you eat healthy? Do you ever get sidetracked and skip running?

September 5, 2012 by Darlene

Globally Thin

The new BBC calculator can tell you if you are a healthy weight for your height and how you rank against others globally.

Try it here.

Here are my results:

Let me say that I weigh more than I have ever weighed. Every decade I gain 5 lbs. Pretty depressing! (It’s a metabolism thing. At least that’s what I tell myself.)

This just shows that the most of the US is fat 😦

They should have a BMI global calculator that compares runners around the world. My BMI then might make me diet.

Happy Running! Do you worry about your BMI?

April 27, 2012 by Darlene

A, B, Cs of Me – the Food Edition

This is happens when you are not training for a race or running any races. There’s not much to blog about. (Bear with me…)

A: is for Apple, what’s your favorite variety?
Yellow Delicious but I mostly eat apples cooked like in apple crisp or apple pie

B: is for Bread, regardless of nutrition, calories, or whole grains what is your favorite type to have a nice big piece of?
Rye for a sandwich or French with a meal

C: is for Cereal what is your favorite kind currently (just one!)
I love hot cereal, my favorite is cream of wheat (cinnamon maple). I don’t like milk so I don’t eat cold cereal.

D: is for Doughnuts, you might not currently be eating them but what kind do you fancy?
Jelly-filled with vanilla frosting or boston cream-filled with chocolate frosting (I hate powered sugar ones)

E: is for Eggs, how would you like yours prepared?
Scrambled or an omelet

F: is for Fat Free, what is your favorite fat free product?
Um, Starbuck’s latte

G: is for Groceries, where do you purchase yours at?
Either Price Chopper or Target – sometimes Walmart

H: is for Hot Beverages, what is your favorite hot drink?
Coffee

I: is for Ice Cream, pick a favorite flavor and add a fun topping.
Coffee with chocolate syrup but I love root beer floats (with vanilla ice cream)

J: is for Jams or Jellies, do you eat them, and if so what kind and flavor?
Sometimes, raspberry or apricot

K: is for Kashi, name your favorite Kashi product?
I don’t think I eat often enough to have a favorite.

L: is for Lunch, what was yours today?
bagel, greek yogurt, fruit

M: is for microwave, what is your favorite microwave meal/snack?
Warmed up pizza.

N: is for nutrients, do you likes carbs, fats, or proteins best?
CARBS…I’m (was) a runner LOL

O: is for oil, what kind do you like to use?
Depends on the dish – Olive Oil, I guess

P: is for protein, how do you get yours?
I don’t think I get enough – mostly yogurt, nuts, occasional steak or hamburger

Q: is for Quaker, how do you like your oats?
Cooked with raisins and brown sugar

R: is for roasting, what is your favorite thing to roast?
Pork loin

S: is for sandwich, what’s your favorite kind?
Veggie at Subway or Roast beef

T: is for travel, how do you handle eating while traveling?
I don’t travel a lot but I try not to snack a lot and overeat in restaurants.

U: is for unique, what is one of your weirdest food combos?
I don’t really think I have any weird food combos.

V: is for vitamins, what kind do you take?
Glosamine-Chondrotin daily, sometimes a multi-vitamin with calcium

W: is for wasabi, yay or nay?
Yay!

X: is for XRAY. if we x-rayed your belly right now, what food would we see?
A banana

Y: is for youth, what food reminds you of your childhood?
Entemman’s danish. My mother always had it in the house. Carvel ice cream. We used to get it on Sundays.

Z: is for zucchini, how do you prepare it?
baked as in zucchini bread, or breaded and fried

If you are bored, you should copy over the questions and play along on your blog too 🙂

Happy Running (and eating)!