February 14, 2014 by Darlene

February Fitness Survey

I saw this over on Zaneta’s blog (Runner’s Luck) and thought it would be fun… since I’m tired of talking about the weather (Yes, we are having ANOTHER snowstorm!!).

1. Do you have a Fitness board on Pinterest? Share it.

I have a RUNNING Pinterest board with pins on it but I’m not good about keeping it up-to-date.

http://www.pinterest.com/dsc59/running/

2. What is your go to place for fitness questions? (friend, blog, website)

I usually asking questions on my blog AND also the Sweat Pink, Philly Love and Strong Running Mamas Communities on Facebook!

3. What do you do to workout when the weather outside is too cold, snowy or icy?

The cold doesn’t bother me anymore. I just dress appropriately and go out and run. If it is snowy, I’ll wear my YakTrax. But if it is icy that’s when I stay inside and use the treadmill at work.

4. Latest song(s) added to your playlist?

Best Day of My Life by American Authors

Timber by Pitbull

5. Share a link to your favorite healthy recipe.

Not exactly healthy but it has butternut squash in it and it tastes great. Click here for the recipe or

6. What’s your favorite fitness app?

I have downloaded a lot of fitness apps but lately I have been using Nike Plus for my runs. It’s not as accurate as my Garmin but it’s just an alternative to FitSnap for sharing pics on Fb and Instagram.

Share a picture of a recent workout.

This is my long run on Sunday.

Happy Running! What’s your favorite fitness app? What’s the latest song added to your playlist?

February 1, 2014 by Darlene

January Update

JANUARY GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! Yes!
Do not overdo and listen to my body! Yes!
Attend at least 2 yoga classes! Nope.
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. Some days but not every.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over. I think so (except for in California.)
Run before work at least once a week. Nope.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others. I did once.

8 miles with Adrienne

Complete my first 10 mile race. YES!!!!

1:49:55 and 3rd in my AG

Run at least one other race. Yes!

Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon) Yes! Ran at least 8 miles each weekend.

Run at least 70 miles this month. Yes! 78!

January 2014

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. Yes!!

What else?

I spent New Year’s Day on Lake George.

cruise with my hubby & friends

I went to NYC for a day.

to the NY Boat show & other holiday sites (with my hubby)

I visited La Quinta, CA to see my friend Mary.

at Indian Wells Tennis Garden

I went to an Ice Bar in Lake George.

I read many good books including Wild, Eleven Minutes, the Alchemist, Gold, My Husband’s Secret…
I played tennis at least once or twice each week and went out to dinner with some of the tennis ladies (that I don’t get to play with regularly.)

I finally finished knitting this pair of socks!

FEBRUARY GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Start back at planks (Do it at least once per week.)
Take the stairs at work rather than the elevator.
Finish knitting another pair of socks.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others.
Run while on my mini-vacation to Florida.
Run at least one race.
Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my March half marathon.
Run at least 75 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your January? Anything different planned for February?

October 21, 2013 by Darlene

Just Sharing

I got this e-mail:

Hi Darlene,

I really like your running blog — one of the few ones really worth reading (you have to sift through lots of chaff to find the wheat). You write with warmth and humour, both engaging and informing the reader. (I am sure that this is sent to every woman blogger over 40.)

I’m Bennett Cohen, President of the International Association of Women Runners (IAWR) and Running Coach to Women Over 40.

Our objective is to exponentially increase the number of women that are positively transformed through reaching their goals for running and racing. Please check out the IAWR website at www.iawr-connect.com

Our resources for women runners include:

The only weekly newsletter for specifically for women runners over 40
Personalized Coaching Programs
The “Injury-Free Running For Women Over 40” ebook

I thought you may be interested in an interview we conducted with Nancy Clark, sports nutritionist, author and runner. The interview is titled “Women, Weight and Running: Myth, Truth and Gender Differences.” (Does this mean I need to lose weight?)

Here’s the link to the mp3 audio recording of the Nancy Clark interview:

http://www.iawr-connect.com/audio/NancyClark_113010.mp3
To download: Right-click (Command+click on a Mac) and choose “Save Target As”

I have Nancy’s permission to distribute the interview. I hope you find the interview informative.

Let’s keep in touch.

*****************************************************************************

Regards and Happy Running

Bennett Cohen
President
International Association of Women Runners
Running Coach to Women Over 40

Anyway, I looked over his site. And it is very informative. There is a lot of useful information (beyond books & coaching programs.). So if you are over 40 (or even if you are not), take a look.

Happy Running! Are you familiar with this site? Do have another site to share?

October 7, 2013 by Darlene

New York New York, My Kind of Town

Every year, my tennis friends & I go to NYC to see a Broadway show. (Some of my favs have been Wicked, Billy Elliott, Jersey Boys.) Usually it’s in June, the day after the Freihofer’s race but someone (our driver) couldn’t go so we re-scheduled to yesterday. (Fortuitous since I broke my foot at the Freihofer’s race.)

First we go out to a nice restaurant for lunch. (I loved Tavern on the Green but it closed, also Becco’s is a favorite.)

first time here

I chose this restaurant since it was nearby, I could make reservations through OpenTable and I liked their prix fixe brunch menu.

A good choice – we all enjoyed our meals. (I had the fruit, pancakes & pannecotta).

Then we walked to the theatre. Eighth Avenue was closed for a street fair. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to shop.

My first choice for a show was Kinky Boots (but someone already had tix – it’s hard planning with 10 people.) This show also was nominated for many Tonys.

Summary:

Our heroine is a precocious, somewhat mischievous bookworm named Matilda, who’s saddled with a family that just doesn’t understand her. Dad is a pompadoured oaf who dotes on his older son, a TV-fixated dolt. Mom is a competitive ballroom dancer. The outside world proves no refuge for young Matilda, either. Though she finds the sympathetic ear of a local librarian and an advocate in a pretty teacher named Miss Honey, her new school is run by a dictatorial harridan named Miss Trunchbull…

before the show

We loved it. It was so creative and the kids in it especially the lead were amazing!

the stage before

I love going to NYC. The day was too short as usual. Running in a race in NYC is on my bucket list.

Happy Running! Do you visit NYC often? Have you done a race there?

September 25, 2013 by Darlene

What I Am Loving (Wednesday)

I haven’t done this since February so I thought I’d do it again.

Well, they stopped selling my Chocolate Cream of Wheat and only one store still sells my Liberte Mediterranee yogurt 😦

Here are some new ones:

1. BISCOFF SPREAD

I HATE peanut butter (Well, I’ve never eaten it) but this was in my race goodie bag at the Sarasota Half Marathon. It took me awhile to try it but it’s great. It has:

All-natural ingredients
No artifical color or preservatives
0 grams trans fat per serving and 0 cholesterol
Non-GMO ingredients
No Nuts

It’s basically crushed biscoff cookies, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar. Probably has loads of calories so I just spread a little on a bagel for a pre- or post run snack.

2. ANYTHING PUMPKIN

Ok, pop tarts are not real food but sometimes I just need something sweet and I don’t have time to bake. And Thomas bagels?? Well, someone from Long Island knows that these are not real bagels but they stay fresh for a long time (yeah, lots of chemicals) and they give me that daily carb fix. (I even eat them plain they are so soft and chewy.)

3. MY NEW RACING BELT

I holds more than my other one (a black Spi Belt). I need something to hold my car key and my phone (It has a big & a small pouch). It doesn’t move around when I run. It also holds your race bib. I hate to put safety pins through my clothes and can never pin it straight anyway.

4. RUNNING BOOKS

Not non-fiction running books but fiction ones that has a runner in it as part of the plot. I post more titles another Wednesday.

5. GEL NAILS

I hate fake nails but I want my nails to look good and not keep breaking. Hence GEL. I get a French manicure. That way, I get let them go for over a month before anyone notices. Caution, once you start (like hair dye), you won’t be able to go back to normal nails & polish.

What are you loving right now? Blog about 5 things that you are loving right now. Comment here with the link to your post!

Happy Running! Ever try any of my above favorites?

September 23, 2013 by Darlene

Soup(er) Sunday

This was the first weekend since the beginning of May where neither my hubby or went boating on Lake George.

Sorry – it was to windy to go out 😦

My hubby went to play tennis and I played Suzy Homemaker.

I put out our fall flags and then went to a local farm to buy some mums, a pumpkin and some freshly picked apples (I had wanted to go pick them but my mentee & my hubby were busy & it’s no fun alone.) Then I went to the grocery store to buy fixings for two homemade soups. The cool temps just made me want soup.

I’ll say this up front: I like to cook but I rarely do cook. I prepare something to eat but I wouldn’t call it cooking. Since the kids are gone and my hubby could care less what he eats, my priorities are pretty selfish – work, running, friends, tennis, mah jongg, etc.

First I made your basic chicken soup – water, a whole chicken, carrots, celery, spices & noodles later.

Then, I made vegetable beef soup. I got lazy on this one – stew beef, frozen vegetables, frozen potatoes, organic beef broth, spices, barley later.

Well, I hope my hubby enjoys those soups. Who knows when I will get motivated again to make another homemade meal.

After work this week, I plan to make an apple pie with those apples. (Warm homemade apple pie with vanilla ice cream is one of my favorite desserts.)

a picture of my pie from last year

The weather so far looks good for next weekend.

There will be NO COOKING – just racing, boating …

and mah jongg at the Schroon River house.

Happy Running! Do you cook often?

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!

May 6, 2013 by Darlene

Huma Chia Energy Gel Review

As previously discussed, energy gels are my preferred choice of fuel when I run. I usually take one before any run that is longer than 40 minutes. If I am running a half marathon, I carry them with me to take during the race.

During my first 5 half marathons & training runs, I only bought GU (vanilla or chocolate). During my 6th half marathon & trainings, I tried Power Bar gel and Cliff Shot gel and although they are more liquidy, I do like them too.

Recently, I read about Huma Chia Energy gel on a blog but could not find it in a store. So I contacted the company. They sent me samples and asked me to write a review.

First a little background on how Huma Chia Energy Gel is different than the others.

GREAT-TASTING

ALL-NATURAL

TRADITION

So Huma sent me 2 samples. I tried the Strawberries first before a 4 mile run and then the Apple-Cinnamon during a 5 mile run.

I liked them both. They tasted good. I preferred the Apple-Cinnamon. But I had no digestion problems with either of them.

It is hard to say if they gave me more or less energy. I would have to do the same run at the same time. Every run feels different (so many factors figure into a good or bad run.)

POSITIVES:

all natural ingredients (this is an important one)
the taste
no caffeine (if using later in the day)

NEGATIVES:

cost – more expensive than the others
availability – not available in all states so you have to order online (& pay $4.99 shipping)
flavors – only 2 (and not my favorites)
does not contain caffeine (which I often need in the am before a race)

So if you are looking for a healthy alternative to your current energy gel, I would advise you to try Huma!!

Happy Running! Have you tried these gels? If so, what do you think?

_____________________
**Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. I contacted Huma and they provided me with two samples of Huma chia energy gel to try for my honest opinion.

April 5, 2013 by Darlene

E is for Energy gels

I am someone who cannot run on an empty stomach (or do anything for that matter).

I have tried a variety of things but energy gels with water work best for me. Gu is the brand that I use the most often.

5 vanilla Gu & 5 chocolate Gu - my favorites

Vanilla and chocolate outrage are my favorites – I like espresso love too.

Recently I tried PowerBar gels and I like them too. (They are a little bit more liquidy than Gu.)

this is the only flavor I have tried

I also tried a Clif Shots geI before my last 5K. It was also more liquidy (and messy). They sell them in supermarkets so that is a plus (4 for $5).

Click HERE for a comparison chart. (I use them because of taste and didn’t realize how different they are… Power Gel has a lot more sodium than the others.)

I take energy gels before any race and before runs that I do in the morning. (Since they have caffeine, I do not take any later in the day.)

During my long runs or races, I take one every 4 miles or 45 minutes…with water. So far I have not had any stomach issues.

Happy Running! What do you take for energy when running?