July 25, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Goals

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Goals:

I always have lots of goals, but here are my top five for 2014:

1. Do not get injured. So far, so good.

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR. Yes!

in the freezing cold

in the spring

during my vacation

on the trail in summer

3. Finish all races (except 15ks & half marathons) at under 10 min. pace per mile. Almost all.

: 5k – 30:10

: 4 miler – 38:07

: 5 miler – 48:14

: 4 miler – 38:06

: 5k – 28:56

: 5K – 27:51

: 10k – 1:00:52

: 5K – 28:14

: 5K – 28:51

: 2014

: short 5k (2.25 m) – 20:19

4. Run at least 10 NEW races. YES! 13 already!!

Mayor’s 10 Mile Race

Betar Byway 5K

first annual Love Run

Mom’s Day 5K

Bacon Hill 5k

Spring Run Off 10K

Lighthouse 5K

Rabbit Ramble 4m

Strawberry Fest 5K

Adirondack Distance Run

Cherry Blossom 5K

5. Run a half marathon and a 10 mile race. Yes! 2 of each. The Love Run and the Saratoga Springs Half Marathons and the Mayor’s Wellness and the Adirondack Distance Run 10 milers.

Mayor’s 10 mile race

Adirondack Distance Run

Happy Running! What are some of your goals?

July 2, 2014 by Darlene

June Recap

JUNE GOALS:

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

in the park

in town

found a new route

even ran before work 2x

Continue planks. When I remember.
Go to Yoga at least 2x. YES! Twice.
Walk at least once a day at work. YES! Most days.

Play tennis outdoors once a week. YES, 3 times (once was rained out.)
Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk. Also when I remember.
Add a long run each week to prepare for 10 mile race. Not really. I added some extra miles to two 5K races.
Run any 5k races under 10 minutes per mile! YES!

Betar Byway 5k – 29:49

10448831_905771336116000_4681778787169106259_n (1)

2.25 m Strawberry Fest 5k – 20:19

Run a 10 mile race and finish under 2 hours. YES and a PR!

1:44.:39

Run at least 75 miles this month. YES! Finally!

jun14

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

10255289_803951496284296_8883310532986158342_n

my race shirt is his favorite shirt

Boating on Lake George has begun. (Maybe that’s why my running has been slacking.)

I also went to NYC for the day. So much fun!

on the ferry to Staten Island

at the Chinese Scholar Garden

at the Alice Austen cottage

Sad news: Amanda, the girl I have mentored for over 6 years is moving to NJ. She is like a daughter to me. I will miss her and especially her 2 sons.

10286958_10152810125379428_1312739711227090147_o

2014

2010

JULY 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 75 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

New goals:

Lose at least 5 lbs.
Add weekly long runs.
Complete my 9th half marathon.
Choose a fall or winter half marathon.
Start training for a fall half.

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

June 29, 2014 by Darlene

We’re halfway.

report-card1 6 months down and 6 to go. How am I doing on my 2014 Goals?

1. Do not get injured. So far, so good.

happy legs and feet!

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR. Yes!

in the freezing cold

in the spring

during my vacation

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week upper body & core strength exercises (planks & weights). Tennis YES, Yoga Rarely, Planks & Weights SO SO

my instructor returned from maternity leave on May 7.

when I can remember to use them

4. Finish all races (except 15ks & half marathons) at under 10 min. pace per mile. Almost all.

: 5k – 30:10

: 4 miler – 38:07

: 5 miler – 48:14

: 4 miler – 38:06

: 5k – 28:56

: 5K – 27:51

: 10k – 1:00:52

: 5K – 28:14

: 5K – 28:51

: 2014

: short 5k (2.25 m) – 20:19

5. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.Yes! 14 races so far.

: HMRRC 15K – January

: Polar Cap – February

: Runnin of the Green 2014

: 3rd

: Betar Byway – June

6. Run a race in another state or even a NEW state. Yes, Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in CA, Lighthouse 5k in FL and the Love Run Half in PA. But they are not new states.

Lighthouse 5K in FL.

7. Run at least 10 NEW races. 11 already!- Mayor’s Wellness 10m, HMRRC Winter Series #3 15K, Lighthouse 5k, Love Run, Bacon Hill 5k, Rabbit Ramble 4m, Cherry Blossom 5k, Spring Run off 10k, Mom’s 5K, Betar Byway 5K, Strawberry Fest 5K, Adirondack Distance Run

first annual Love Run

Bacon Hill 5k

Spring Run Off 10K

Strawberry Fest 5K

8. Run in NYC. No, not yet.

This is as close as I have gotten

9. Get an Age Group award. Yes! 9 of them – 3rd at the Mayor’s Wellness, 1st at the Lighthouse 5K, 1st at Bacon Hill 5k, 2nd at Rabbit Ramble 4m, 2nd at Cherry Blossom 5k, 3rd at Spring Run Off 10K, 1st at Mom’s Day 5k, 1st at Betar Byway 5K, 1st at Strawberry Fest 5K

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

Cherry Blossom5k

Mom’s Day 5K

Spring Run Off 10K

Betar Byway 5K

10464192_905772132782587_8976828319425984868_n

Strawberry fest 5K

10. Run a 10 mile race. Yes! Mayor’s Wellness 10m and Adirondack Distance Run

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

11. Run at least one half marathon. Yes! The Love Run.

12. PR in a half marathon. Yes! at the Love Run.

4 sec PR

13. Run over 800 miles. 4 miles so far. I’m on my way.

14. Continue to blog almost everyday. Yes! So I am doing pretty good so far. Things to work on the next 6 months:

Go to yoga regularly
PR in a 5K
race in a new state
run in NYC
continue to race each month
continue to sign up for new races
STAY HEALTHY

Happy Running! Do you have yearly goals? If so, how are you doing so far this year?

June 1, 2014 by Darlene

May’s over! Bring on June and summer!

my birthday month!

MAY GOALS:

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

in Albany, NY

even on the track

Continue planks. Occasionally – when I remember.
Start back at Yoga. Only went once.

May 7

Walk at least once a day at work. When I worked.

to the park

around campus

on the track

Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk. Sometimes.
Run my 5k races under 30 minutes! YES!

28:14

28:51

PR in a 10K race (under 1:06:10) – YES!

1:00:51

Run during my tennis vacation in Florida. – YES! 5 times

13.5 miles

Run at least 75 miles this month. Nope. Slacking off. Only 68.

do you see a trend?

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

I had a wonderful vacation in Florida where I spent a lot of time at the beach and on the tennis courts.

I spent a day with my mentee and her sons.

I celebrated my birthday with several dinners out with family and friends.

I went boating on Lake George for the first time this year.

JUNE 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.
Add a long run each week to prepare for 10 mile race.
Run any 5k races under 10 minutes per mile!
Run a 10 mile race and finish under 2 hours.
Run at least 75 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your May? Anything special planned for June?

May 1, 2014 by Darlene

April rundown

APRIL GOALS:

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

on the track

after work in town

in the park

on the trail

Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.) Yes! Several times a week.

this is not ME!

Walk at least once a day at work. Yes! Almost every work day with my co-worker.

with my co-worker Sherri

Use those 5 lb weights on my desk. Yes! Most days. 20 reps of several arm toning exercises.

Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda’s 2 sons. Yes!

at a museum

at a park

at the mall – nice artwork for a 1st grader!

Find a new knitting project. No! Not yet.
Focus on speed rather than distance. (Next long race isn’t until Jun 22.) No, not really in training but yes, in shorter races.
Run a 5k race under 30 minutes! YES! Bacon Hill Bonanza and ALS Cherry Blossom 5k.

28:56 & first in my AG

27:51 & second in my AG

Run a 5 mile race under 50 minutes! Yes! Delmar Dash.

Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes! Yes! Rabbit Ramble.

38:06 & 2nd in my AG

Run at least 70 miles this month. Yes! 73 (but my lowest in months!)

apr14

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

10250127_774629115883201_4825100355175091535_n

smiling & wearing my half marathon shirt

I have been pretty lucky this month. Look at what I’ve won:

Door prize at the Delmar Dash ($75 worth of running-related items)
Raffle prize at the Rabbit Ramble (Road ID)
Blog giveaway – insoles
Blog giveaway – bag
work – 4 movie tix

my birthday month!

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Continue planks.
Start back at Yoga.
Walk at least once a day at work.
Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk.
Run my 5k races under 30 minutes!
PR in a 10K race (under 1:06)
Run during my tennis vacation in Florida.
Run at least 75 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your April? Anything special planned for May?

April 9, 2014 by Darlene

1st Quarter Report Card

report-card1 3 months down and 9 to go. How am I doing on my 2014 Goals?

1. Do not get injured. So far, so good.

happy legs and feet!

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR. Yes!

even in the freezing cold

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week. Tennis YES, Yoga NO.

my instructor returns from maternity leave on May 7.

4. Finish most of my 5K races under 30 minutes. No, but only ran one 5k.

30:17 @ 9:45 pace

5. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.Yes! 6 races so far.

HMRRC 15K in Jan.

Polar Cap in Feb.

Runnin of the Green in Mar.

6. Run a race in another state or even a NEW state. Yes, Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in CA, Lighthouse 5k in FL and the Love Run Half in PA. But they are not new states.

Lighthouse 5K in FL.

7. Run at least 10 NEW races. 4 so far- Mayor’s Wellness 10m, HMRRC Winter Series #3 15K, Lighthouse 5k, Love Run

first annual Love Run

8. Run in NYC. No, not yet.

This is as close as I have gotten

9. Get an Age Group award. Yes! 3rd at the Mayor’s Wellness, 1st at the Lighthouse 5K

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

10. Run a 10 mile race. Yes! Mayor’s Wellness 10m

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

11. Run at least one half marathon. Yes! The Love Run.

12. PR in a half marathon. Yes! at the Love Run.

4 sec PR

13. Run over 800 miles. 256 miles so far. I’m on my way.

lst quarter

14. Continue to blog almost everyday. Yes!

So I am doing pretty good so far.

I am expanding GOAL #3 and adding upper body & core strength exercises (planks & weights)

these sit on my desk & I have begun to use them as well doing planks in the am.

and changing GOAL #4 from 5k races to all races (except 15ks & half marathons) to under 10 min. pace per mile.

4 miler in 38:07

Things to work on the next 9 months:

start yoga
finish a 5k under 30 minutes
race in a new state
run in NYC
continue to race each month
continue to sign up for new races
STAY HEALTHY

Happy Running! Do you have yearly goals? If so, how are you doing so far this year?

April 1, 2014 by Darlene

March Update

MARCH GOALS:

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

Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.) YES!! Several times each week.
Finish knitting that pair of socks. YES!!

my 5th pair. What shall I do next?

Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda. YES!

lunch, a movie & ice cream

Run a 5k race under 30 minutes! Nope…

30:17 😦 but won 1st place in my AG

Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes! YES!

Runnin of the Green – finished in 38:07!!

Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my half marathon. YES!!

Complete my 8th Half Marathon. YES!!

despite the torrential rain…a 4 sec PR!

Run at least 80 miles this month. YES!! 96 miles!! (2nd highest mileage after 102 in Oct 2011)

mar 14

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

ja posater

APRIL GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.)

this is not ME!

Walk at least once a day at work.

indoors until the weather improves

Use those 5 lb weights on my desk.

Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda’s 2 sons.

haven’t seen the boys since Christmas

Find a new knitting project.
Focus on speed rather than distance. (Next long race isn’t until Jun 22.)
Run a 5k race under 30 minutes!
Run a 5 mile race under 50 minutes!
Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes!
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your March? Anything special planned for April?

February 10, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – 4 miles, mall walk & dinner out with bff

last outdoor run before the storm

Wednesday – rest, ~~mall walk with bff~~ SNOW DAY
Thursday – 4 miles on the tm

an episode of “Nashville” got me through it

Friday – 3 4 miles, ~~mah jongg~~

around Washington park

Saturday – rest, proctor LSATs
Sunday – 9 10 miles

on the Corning Bike Path

week 5- 22 miles

This Week:

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – 4 miles on the TM
Wednesday – 3 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest mah jongg
Saturday – 10 miles
Sunday – rest

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

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?

January 9, 2014 by Darlene

One Word Resolution for 2014

The My One Word approach seems to be very popular this year.

Here is a summary:

Lose the long the list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick one word. This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.

I know this has been around for several years, but for the first time, I am going to try it.

My word for 2014 is:

What is Acceptance?

Acceptance is “a person’s assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition without attempting to change it, protest, or exit.”

Why did I choose Acceptance?

I think on the whole that I am too critical of myself. My expectations of others are too high. I focus too much on the negative. I get disappointed and/or hurt too easily.

How will I focus on my word?

Accept my weaknesses. I may not be the fastest runner, best tennis player or most flexible yogi. I am me.
Accept that other have different priorities than I do. Do not try to change them.
Accept the good with the bad. Not every run or tennis match will be a good one. Not everything I attempt will turn out well.
Accept my family, financial and work situations. They may not be the best but they could be a lot worse.
Accept that sometimes your best effort is not enough.
Accept that life is flawed and so are people.
Accept failures. But don’t give up. Try again.