April 19, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Goals Update

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is “How are your 2016 goals coming along?“

Well, in case you don’t remember, 2016 is my year of NO GOALS!!

Instead of GOALS, I wrote about Hopes and Dreams:

I hope to…

To improve my running

For me, it’s to get stronger and be a more confident runner. To have more quality training runs. To maintain my current speed and if I am very lucky PR at some distance. To run lots of races (both long ones and short ones.)

It’s still early in the year and we are our own worst critic so it’s hard to say whether or not, my running has improved.

I’ve run 10 races – three of which were half marathons.

I’ve won three age group awards and 2 of my 5ks under 28 minutes. There were no PRs but no real disappointing races.

To run with others

With my schedule, it is easier to run solo. But running with others is more fun. I often shy away from running groups (like Fleet Feet, ARE, etc) because I feel that I am too slow. I hope to take advantage of more group running opportunities.

I have made good progress here. I have run several long runs with Judy. I have also run with Barbara and Denise.

I recently joined the Freihofer Training Challenge (advanced group) for the 2nd time.

To volunteer and give back

I had great experiences with this in 2015 and I hope to continue with STEM, GOTR and any others opportunities that present itself. My specials needs buddy is awesome. I hope to connect with him more. And to make time to see my mentee Amanda & her kids more often.

I am again volunteering with the STEM training group. I am also a GOTR buddy.

I haven’t spent as much time with Amanda as I would have liked (due to her work schedule.)

spent last Saturday with them 🙂

I dedicate all my runs to JA but only post once a week and have a few tee shirts to mail to him.

he just turned 12!!

To eat healthier

I am addicted to carbs and sweets. I can justify the carbs for running but I hope to substitute more fruits and veggies into my diet. This also includes drinking more water.

There’s a lot of room for improvement here.

too many of these!

To get physically on track

I may not weigh myself but I know for a fact that the excess pounds have moved to an ugly place (my waist & butt). My excuses have been that it is an age thing (Sorry, the meni pot is a fact.) But I think it is important for me to exercise (not just run and play tennis). Sit less, walk more? Gym time? Planks? Yoga? Whatever it takes to look better.

Hmmm…

Well, I have been going for a walk everyday. But that’s it – no gym, no yoga, no exercises…

To spend quality time with family and friends

Running is important but not more important than those I care about. Skipping a run to be with them…it should happen.

I do spend time with my friends. I walk in the mall with my BFF every other week. I also go out with my tennis friends and work friends once a month.

My hubby has started playing tennis several times a week but we try to fit in dinner out once week. Soon we will be spending a lot of time together on our boat.

There are a few things that I HOPE to work on the next few months.

Happy Running! Did you make goals? Is so, how are they coming along?

February 13, 2016 by Darlene

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heat Bars Review

I admit I have a sweet tooth. I also eat frequently especially when I am at work. And sometimes I don’t get home until late to eat dinner. So I usually bring snacks to work – a bagel, a few bars, fruit, etc.

So, when I was offered the opportunity to try out the Manitoba Hemp Heart Bars, I signed right up. A while back, I tried hemp hearts and I was excited to see how they incorporated them into a bar.

The bars did not let me down. Not only did I like the taste, but they have 10 grams of protein, 10 grams of omegas and fewer than 10 grams of sugar. The apple cinnamon flavor was good and I’d eat it again, but the chocolate was even better. Not just because it tasted good, but because it fulfilled a craving for something sweet but it didn’t contain a lot of sugar.

Thursday I was very tired but planned to go for a run so I chose the Chocolate Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart bars. It gave me the energy I needed to get through the run.

And yesterday, I tried the Apple Cinnamon bar at work. I ate it earlier and used it as an afternoon snack. Yup, it worked. It kept me satisfied until dinner.

Want to try some?

Sweat Pink and Manitoba Harvest are offering a discount on the Hemp Heart bars. Just visit Manitobaharvest.com and use the discount code hhbarlaunch1015 for 15% off. Code expires 3/31/2016.

Are you feeling lucky and want to win some Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart bars?

Manitoba Harvest is also running a photo contest. (Details here). Open to US and Canada residents. Tag @manitobaharvest #fuelledbyhemp for a chance to win a box of your favorite flavor of Hemp Heart Bars! A winner will be chosen each month!

Happy Running! Have you tried Manitoba Hemp Harvest Bars? If so, what do you think of them?

______________

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post by Fit Approach and Manitoba Harvest. All opinions are my own.

February 12, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Races for Food

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!

I love racing and I love food so my “food” topic for this Friday is Five Races With the Best Food

Sarasota Music Half Marathon

This race had the best post-race brunch ever: egg casserole, sausage, bacon, french toast, pastries, fruit and more.

And yes, I sampled it all.

my first plate…

2. Camp Chingachgook Challenge 10K/Half Marathon

This race ended with a big barbecue: chicken, ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, fresh fruit, etc. YUM!!

3. Perfect 10 Miler (NJ)

This race boasted of having “Healthy Clean Eats.” There were pretzels, grilled zucchini, peppers, asparagus and chicken. I would have preferred a little of the unhealthy stuff too.

4. Bacon Hill Bonanza 5K/10K

I loved the food at this race. They had the the usual food (fruit, yogurt, bars, bagels)but also chili, pizza, rice & veggies, and homemade muffins & cookies (including gluten free ones).

And the best chocolate milk (milk straight from a local farm):

5. Mother’s Day bRUNch 5k

There was an awesome post race food display. In addition to cookies, bagels, bars, pastries, bananas, chocolate milk, etc, there was:

mimosas (minus the champagne)

chocolate fountain with pretzels and fruit for dipping

chocolate fountain with pretzels, cake and fruit for dipping

I also had this:

chocolate fountain with pretzels, cake and fruit for dipping

Happy Running! What race(s) have you had the best food?

January 8, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Healthy Eating

My “food & drink” topic for this Friday is Five Healthy Items I have Everyday

I’m the first to admit that I don’t eat healthy. If there is a sweet around, I will eat it.

But here’s what I eat/drink everyday:

Oatmeal

I would prefer waffles, pancakes or French toast with syrup, butter and bacon!! But I do eat oatmeal everyday for breakfast. I add raisins, cinnamon and sometimes fruit or nuts.

2. Herbal Tea

I drink it in the morning and sometimes in the evening. I gave up caffeine so this was my alternative. (I am dying for a cup of coffee as I write this.) I buy leaves in many flavors and I also have tea bags (which don’t taste as good.) But yes, I still crave a vanilla latte. (I get decaf ones in Starbucks for a treat.)

3. Greek Yogurt

I have it for lunch. I usually add granola. Would I rather have pizza? YES!!

4. Water

I keep it at my desk. Do I drink as much as I should? Not at all. The only time I really get thirsty is when I’m on the treadmill. But I haven’t had soda in years and I don’t miss it at all.

5. Apple

Sometimes, I eat one for a snack at work but mostly I eat one in the evening. It’s my snack. I don’t keep cookies or chips in the house so this is what I grab when I am hungry.

Of course, there are other things that sneak into my diet that aren’t so healthy.

Happy Running! What healthy things do you eat on a daily basis?

November 13, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Ways to stay healthy during the holidays

This week’s theme is WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY 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 during the holidays?

November 10, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Post Race Celebrations

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Post Race Celebrations

I really haven’t run any BIG BIG races so I haven’t participated in the infamous post race events.

But one of the important things that I consider when I review a race is its post-race food.

We pay enough to race. There should be a decent selection of post race refreshments.

Here’s what I like to see after a race:

Chocolate Milk

(Walkway Half)

Pizza

Soup in the winter

HMRRC Winter Series

Ice cream in the summer

(Schenectady ARC Challenge)

(Sean’s Run)

Carbs (bagels & home made baked goods)

Bacon Hill Bonanza)

(Helper’s Fund 5k/10k)

Fruit

preferably with a chocolate fountain (Mother’s Day bRUNch)

My most recent post-race nourishment:

just perfect… there were also bagels, yogurt, fruit, etc. (Stockadeathon)

One of favorites is this barbecue:

(Camp Chingachgook Challenge)

However if the post-race food is lacking, I just go out with a friend…

After all, I have put back those calories that I burned!!

Happy Running! Are post-race refreshments important to you?

November 7, 2015 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date November

Today I am joining up with Coco, Deborah, and Lynda for their ultimate coffee date for the second time.

I do LOVE coffee especially Starbucks but I was having trouble sleeping so I gave up caffeine and now I drink herbal tea for breakfast and decaf coffee if I have anything later in the day. (Not sure if I sleep any better but it was VERY tough giving up that coffee & I have a lot of teas to use up.)

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I am having a hard time remembering how to dress for fall weather. Summer is so easy…a tank and a skirt. Now that it’s getting chilly out, what do I wear???

It hasn’t helped that one day it is 30 degrees and the next day it is 70 degrees!!

70 degrees?!

I vow no matter how cold it is to keep wearing skirts …. (until Thanksgiving??)

30 degrees!

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m almost over pumpkin….

For the last month, I’ve been eating anything and everything pumpkin!

I’m ready for cranberry!!

and new Starbucks flavors…

this year they have chestnut praline!! yum!

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I may have a NYC obsession.

I went to NYC 3 times in October and I’m going again next Sunday.

To be fair, I’m going this time with my hubby and he never gets to go and of course, I don’t mind.

Broadway instead of running in Central Park. I have to compromise for the sake of the marriage LOL.

Over decaf coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m worried that I am not worried about my half marathon in one month…

eau palm beach

In fact for the next Ultimate Coffee Date, I will be in Florida.

I have my flight and I booked a very cheap hotel for the night before the race (Sat).

Hotel Biba – heard of it anyone?

I don’t know where I am staying Friday or Sunday nights (although I do have friends in the area.) I am usually so Type A about these things.

As for the race, it does look scenic. It’s not the same course as the one I ran in January (the course runs north rather than south) and according to the map, it is 13.4 miles.

I’m not aiming for a PR. I would like to have a pain-free race and hopefully a faster time than my last 4 half marathons. I’m also hoping for warm weather but not too warm (and NO RAIN!)

half marathon #16 and #7 for 2015

Happy Running! Hope you enjoyed your morning coffee or tea!

October 23, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Things I Love

This week’s theme is Things I Love

Here are my FIVE:

1.Racing

I love running but I think I run so I can race. If it weren’t for training for halfs, I would run a 5k or 10k every weekend.

2. My new iPhone

I just got the 6s. I had an iPhone5 but it didn’t have enough space and the battery didn’t last long. I love to carry my phone everywhere (especially when running) and take photos.

on the Brooklyn Bridge – no filter

3. Starbucks

I am addicted. I know they’re expensive but they taste so good and it’s so convenient for me (I work across the street.)

my latest fave with vanilla and soy milk

love the new fall cups, too

4. SkirtSports Skirts

I am going to run in skirts as long as possible. (Eventually I will have to add tights under them.) I love them. They look good and they’re comfortable.

5. Yogurt & Granola

I eat it for lunch everyday – yes, boring. This brand which is hard to find is the best.

I also love this brand:

*Honorable Mention

6. My FitBit

I hesitated for a long time. All my friends had them. But I like knowing my steps. And I love when it buzzes meaning that I have walked 10,000 steps. Hopefully, it will keep me motivated in the winter.

my rest day before my half

Happy Running! What are you loving?

October 16, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Fall Foods

This week’s theme is Favorite Fall Foods

1. Pumpkin anything

Here are some of my recent purchases:

And I’ve lost count of how many of these, I’ve drunk:

I’ve even cooked with pumpkin:

pumpkin chili

Recipe

2. Apple Pie – especially when it is homemade with local apples (warm with vanilla ice cream is the best)

Recipe

2. Sweet Potatoes

Recipe

4. Butternut Squash Soup

Recipe

5. Cider Donuts – warmed

Happy Running! What are your favorite Fall foods?

August 20, 2015 by Darlene

Freekeh Foods Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to try Freekeh.

Have you heard of Freekeh?

I had not.

So what is Freekeh?

According the website:

…Freekeh originated by accident when an ancient Middle Eastern village was attacked and their young wheat fields were set ablaze. In attempts to salvage their crops, the villagers rubbed away the burnt chaff and found that the roasted kernels inside were delicious! Since that time, Freekeh (which literally means, “to rub”) became a mainstay of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.

Since Freekeh is a roasted green wheat, gluten-free runners, you will have to pass on this one.

When I first saw this grain, it reminded me a lot of quinoa as far as being able to substitute it for rice and add it to any

However Freekeh contains 8 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. It is low fat too which makes it a great substitute for both rice and quinoa.

Freekeh cooks up very similar to rice and comes in three flavors – Rosemary Sage, Original and Tamari.

First I just cooked the Rosemary Sage per directions (add water and cook for about 25 minutes) and served it as a side dish.

It tasted great. My hubby who is picky didn’t even ask what it was. I think he thought it was brown rice.

Then I made this recipe from the Freekeh Foods website: Warm Breakfast Freekeh

I used almond milk and added raisins since I didn’t have any fresh fruit.

I was surprised how good it tasted and one package made breakfast for 3-4 days.

You can buy Freekeh at Whole Foods as well as other health food stores.

But if you’re lucky, you could win some here.

I am giving away a cookbook and a package of Freekeh to one reader. You can choose the flavor (original, rosemary sage, or tamari). *U.S. residents only.*

Click HERE to enter.

Good luck!

Happy Running! Have you tried Freekeh yet? If you won some, how would you eat it?

My First 5K and More…

an "older" runner's blog

food

TOTR: Goals Update

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heat Bars Review

Friday Five: Favorite Races for Food

Friday Five: Healthy Eating

Friday Five: Ways to stay healthy during the holidays

Tuesdays on the Run: Post Race Celebrations

Ultimate Coffee Date November

Friday Five: Things I Love

Friday Five: Favorite Fall Foods

Freekeh Foods Giveaway

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