March 31, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT & My March Recap

I can’t believe March is over already…

So here’s how things went:

Weekday Runs:

The weather was fickle – there were warm days and then there were cold days. There were even rainy and windy days. I was still able to run 2-3 times each week – mostly after work.

Long Runs:

There was a half marathon. Then I immediately started preparing for my next half marathon. So I continued to run higher mileage on the weekend.

a week before the half

5 mile race + 4 = 9 miles (a week after the half)

5k race + 7.4 = 10.5 miles

Total Mileage:

86 miles this month!

mar16

Less than last month but about average for me.

Races:

I ran THREE races this month – a 5k, a 5 miler and a half marathon.

2:22:40- very hilly race

46:28 (3rd in my AG)

27:55 – 1st in my AG

I was happy with how they all went. I did not have PR goals and of course, they could have been faster but the shorter races were the first part of a long run. And the half marathon had hills which I had not trained for.

Cross Training:

I continued to play tennis one night a week until my tennis elbow flared up.

may have to take a break for awhile

I DID NOT go to a single yoga class!! I planned to but something usually got in the way. Next month, I promise! (Wait, I said that last month!!)

lheartspaceogo

I continued to walk at work (around the building and to Starbucks or the park). I have also started going to the mall to get more steps in on days when the weather is lousy.

My Starbucks addiction continues!!

I went to the gym once. It was not so bad but now my elbow is my excuse.

Sat am at the gym

Other News:

I met my GOTR running buddy. Her name is Jayme and she is in 5th grade. We will be corresponding through notes and then I run both the practice 5k and the real 5k with her. She is very cute and it should be fun.

I ran twice with the Freihofer Challenge Training group. My “advanced” group friends signed up again. There are also some new runners. I have enjoyed it so far.

I am still working on that scarf. It is very long. Someday I may finish it and start something new.

I’ve gotten back into reading. Finished this book:

enjoyed it …it’s about a grandmother telling her life story to her granddaughter.

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Looking Ahead:

The place where I work is participating in the Million Mile Month for the month of April. I plan to walk/run 100 miles.

MMM_VertLogo_2016_forweb_copy

I am training for another half marathon in April. It’s another hilly but scenic one. I am looking forward to the lake views not necessarily the hills.

April 24

I have been busy signing up for spring races. This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

4-03-16 – Delmar Dash 5 miler
4-09-16 – Bacon Hill Bonanza 10k
4-30-16 – Spring Run Off 5k
5-01-16 – Cherry Blossom 5k
5-07-16 – Mastodon Challenge 15k
5-08-16 – Mother’s Day 5K (for GOTR)
5-12-16 – Albany Law Day Against domestic violence 5k ??
5-14-16 – Summer 5k Addiction Awareness Run
5-29-16 – Vermont City Marathon Relay

I signed up to be a STEM volunteer. I will be running with the group on Wednesdays after work.

No monthly goals.

my motto for 2016

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Happy Running! How did your March turn out? Anything exciting planned for April? What are y0u thinking about this Thursday?

March 21, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Rainy miserable day but at least it cleared up so I could take a short recovery run after work.

only thing bright about the day was my shoes

Followed my run with a soak in the hot tub. Aaahhh!

Tuesday – DOMS arrived to my quads today. Otherwise, just a work day with 2 walks followed by tennis in the evening (and despite my sore quads, I played better than ever.) Instead of dinner out, we had wine and popcorn at the club.

Wednesday – Another normal work day with an afternoon walk to the park. Quads felt better so I went for a run after work. It was quite warm so I didn’t mind when I got caught in the rain twice.

After my run, I stopped at the gym to use the machines. Yes, first time since August!!!!

Thursday – A busy work day but got in a walk in the afternoon for my 50 cent cone at Stewarts.

Mint Marcy – yum

Since this was my rest day, in the evening, I just went for a walk with a friend in the mall instead of a run.

Friday – Spring has temporarily left us. I didn’t feel well when I woke up so took a needed day off from work. By the afternoon, I was feeling better but it was insanely windy. Not being at work, I had no option of a treadmill so out I went and battled the wind for a few miles. Then played mah jongg all evening.

actually wine and mah jongg

Saturday – My rest day!! I proctored the MPREs at work in the morning and then the afternoon, there was the usual catch up stuff – errands, housework, cooking… and it was cold!!! In the evening, I talked my hubby into getting a sub for tennis so we could go out to dinner. Then I remembered that I was supposed to go out to dinner and a movie with 3 friends …Ooops! Senior brain!! Anyway, I ate eggplant parm, pasta & a cannoli to carb load for my race the next day.

Sunday – Ran the Shamrock Shuffle 5 Mile Race for the 2nd time. I was pleased with my time considering it was a week after my hilly half and my legs were still in recovery mode.

Afterwards, I ran on a new trail with Judy for 4 more miles. The trail was conveniently located next to a bakery…

18 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (5 weeks until Half Marathon #19)

Monday – Freihofer Challenge Group Run (3 miles), STEM Orientation
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, yoga?
Thursday –4 mile run
Friday – rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – 5k race + 7 miles
Sunday – rest, Easter dinner

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

March 2, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Serendipitous

Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

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This week’s Word is SERENDIPITOUS.

Serendipitous is an adjective that means “Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.”

What a perfect word to describe my running start.

One day after a tennis match, my friend asked me and my partner if we wanted to try running. She ran and suggested that three of us enroll in No Boundaries, a FleetFeet program for beginning runners and learn to run.

Once a week, we ran together with the No Boundaries runners and coaches and afterward we would go to Chili’s for quesadillas and margaritas.

And so it began at age 55.

Since then, I’ve run over 180 races (I’ve lost count) including 17 half marathons.

Thanks Mary Pat and Pat for getting me started on this wonderful journey.

Serendipitous also describes many of my running connections and friendships.

I always read other running blogs. One day, a local blogger (The Happy Runner) asked me to help her start a group for new runners (Strong Running Mamas) with the goal of having them run a 5k race. This group has grown immensely and now includes runners of all ages and levels. I bump into someone from that group at almost every race. They are so supportive.

Thanks Felice for starting this group.

Mary, serendipitously asked me to take her picture at a race in 2010. We have been friends ever since…through all our injuries and even though she has recently moved to California.

Thanks Mary for racing with me so so many times. I miss you!

At a recent race, I bumped into someone I worked with for many many years. I didn’t even recognize her and I was shocked that she was a runner. (Yes, physically she had changed A LOT.) At that serendipitous meeting, she bragged about training groups – Turkey Trot & Freihofer’s race challenges. In fact, she talked me into signing up for one.

Since then, I have signed up for three more training groups. I enjoy them and have met many new runners and maybe have even gotten faster (at least more confident.)

Thanks Gina. Glad you recognized me that day.

I could go on and one but I need to mention two local runners whom I can beg to keep me company on some of my long runs.

I used to do my long runs all alone but even if the pace is too slow or too fast, it is much more enjoyable to run with someone else.

Thanks Judy and Barbara for reading my blog and contacting me through FB.

Happy Running! How has running been serendipitous for you?

November 1, 2015 by Darlene

October Recap & Runfessions

OCTOBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week. YES!

I continue to run 3-4 miles during the week trying to vary my running courses.

near work

on the new rail trail

Continue the long runs on the weekend. YES!

But not as long since I was tapering and then just beginning to train for next one.

10/3 – 9.2 miles

10/17 – 6.2 miles (10K race)

10/25 – 7 miles

109/31 – 5 miles post 5K race

Run a 5k race under 29 minutes. YES

It wasn’t a PR but it was faster than my last few 5ks.

28:01

I just ran this one for fun and it was.

28:59 (28:37 – Garmin time)

Run a 10K race under 60 minutes. YES!

59:19 – 3rd in AG

Finish a half marathon under 2:25:00 NOPE! But close.

2:25:47 – stupid lower back pain

Do some yoga. NO! 😦
Start doing planks again. Not really. 😦
Continue running with a group. YES!

every Monday (I skip the Saturday runs though)

Walk 70,000 steps each week. YES!

Oct 10 – new record high

My FitBit has motivated me to take the stairs at work and walk at lunch most days.

park is beautiful this time of year

Pick a spring half marathon. NO!

But I did register for another winter one (EAU Palm Beach on Dec 6).

I registered for NYC on March 20 but I don’t know if I’ll get in.

I will also try to get into Brooklyn on May 14 (registration doesn’t open until Jan) as well as VCM (if AJH wants to run the relay again.)

Run at least 85 miles. Nope! But close.

Start a knitting project. Nope not yet.

What else?

Went to NYC with my tennis friends.

We walked the High Line and saw the Carole King musical Beautiful.

Had a nice time touring Brooklyn before and after my race.

I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and visited Prospect Park on Saturday.

After the race, I spent the afternoon on Coney Island.

Volunteered with the STEM program again.

I run with Kelly after work on Wednesdays. She is going to do great in her first 5K.

Spectated at a Duathlon.

I was my 4th time watching AJH compete in this race and I enjoyed it. If it were warmer, I would have enjoyed it even more 🙂

Walked over the Walkway Bridge with my college BFF.

After meeting at the Clark Institute in September, we decided to get together more often. Unfortunately, my other college friend fell and broke her ribs & collar bone biking and couldn’t come. I’m glad we chose to walk instead of bike. The day turned out great.

Saw my Mentee’s son.

We went to Ellms Family Farm which has become an annual fall tradition for us. (Unfortunately his mom had to work.)

Ran a race in NYC…finally!

Dash to the Finish 5k

It started at the UN and 3.1 miles later, I crossed the NYC Marathon finish line. What a great experience.

Took a Food Tour of Little Italy the day before the race.

And got to run around Central Park on a beautiful fall day after the race.

November Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Continue long runs on the weekend.
Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
Run a 15K race under 1:35.
Start going to the gym once a week.
Do those planks!
Continue running with a group.
Walk 70,000 steps each week.
Run at least 80 miles.

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions.

I think I may have to make these yearly Runfessions rather monthly because they repeat.

I runfess..,.

I am still in weight la la land. I have no idea how much I weigh since my scale STILL has no battery.

I runfess…

I have not gone to the gym or signed up for a yoga class.

I want to but things get in the way (mostly running.)

I runfess…

I have only run once with my STEM client (victim of Domestic violence.) She has cancelled and I haven’t been able to reschedule . Each time, I am secretly happy because that means I can run on my own nearby.

I hope it works out for the next few Wednesdays because she is very sweet and a good runner.

I runfess…

On my training group runs, I walk up the hills and I do not run fast on the speed drills.

I am either too tired after work or did my long run the day before. I better get it together or my Turkey Trot 10k will suck.

I runfess…

I love taking pictures when I run. This means that I stop and walk … A LOT. I should leave my phone home but fall is so pretty.

I runfess…

My fitbit excitement is wearing off already (after one month.)

I am sitting more at work and now it doesn’t bother me when I don’t hit 10,000 steps.

I runfess…

I don’t drink anything caffeinated. I drink herbal tea in the morning. But I think I use sweets for energy.

Yup, cider donuts, pumpkin poptarts, etc … If I am tired, I eat.

I runfess..

I jump into things without thinking them through.

So I signed up for a half marathon on Dec 6 in Florida. It’s on a Sunday and I arrive on Friday. Though I have friends to stay with on Friday & on Sunday, it’s going to be inconvenient. The Race is in West Palm, one lives 1/2 hour north and one lives 1/2 hour south. Last time, I arrived the day before the race and stayed for a few days after. It worked out well but this time, I was afraid of transportation snafus.

Happy Running! How was your October? Anything interesting planned for November? Do you have something to Runfess?

October 5, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed to in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 2nd Troy Turkey Trot training group run. (I had skipped Saturday.) It felt tougher this week than last. Holly was too fast to catch so I ran by myself. I had to walk many times on the hills of Prospect Park.

Tuesday – Just a work day, my lunchtime walk was rained out and no tennis this week. Had to get my steps in by grocery shopping.

Wednesday – I squeezed in a short run on the treadmill at work. (It was pouring out so I couldn’t run outside.) I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the STEM group run/walk on time after work. It’s a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence. But I could have since this new group is closer. It stopped raining 🙂 And actually, this fall, I am just running with one lady, Kelly, and her basement got flooded so she cancelled at the last minute. Since I was already dressed, I ran 2.5 more miles. After that run, I went out to dinner with my tennis friends.

2 miles of torture

2.5 miles near work

great dinner & great company

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk around campus at lunch and then a run after work with Judy.

feeling like Fall

stopped at Trader Joe’s on the way home …pumpkin pumpkin everywhere you look

Friday – Another work day, with a lunch time walk and a few games of mah jongg in the evening (and I won twice!!)

Saturday – Started the day with a cold & windy 5k and then drove to run 6 more for my last long run before the half.

not a PR but No Walking for a 28:01 finish and 2nd in my AG

still chilly & cloudy at the Mohawk Towpath Byway

Sunday – Today 12 of us went to NYC. We took the bus down, walked the High Line and then had lunch in Chelsea. After lunch we went to see the show Beautiful (Carole King story) on Broadway. Afterwards, we had dinner and took the train home – long but fun day (8 miles of walking!)

19 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is one week away!!! Time to get nervous!

This Week: (Week #11 of HM training)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group), mall walk with my BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, volunteer walk/run with STEM group
Thursday – rest
Friday – rest, bus to NYC, subway to Brooklyn, expo, etc.
Saturday – 13.1 miles!! recovery walk around NYC, bus home
Sunday – rest, last day of boating or spectating the local marathon??

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

October 1, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: September Recap

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Can’t believe that summer is over and it’s now Fall!

So how did this past month go?

September Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes.

I varied my runs and tried to run at different times of day and in different locations.

at the lake

in a new neighborhood before work

in the park after work

on the track

on the rail trail

Continue the long runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15. YES.

I have gotten up to 12 miles. None were exceptional but that’s the way they always are. Many were add-ons after races too.

Run a 5k race under 29 minutes. YES!

Just barely. But I have not done any speed work training.

28:56

Run a 10K race under 60 minutes. NO but almost.

Helper’s Fund 10K -1:00:10 – too much walking but 2nd in my AG

Take a yoga class. NO!

I now have a training group run on Mondays, tennis on Tuesday, mentor a run on Wednesdays. I guess I have to look for a Thursday class. But I did sign up for a 14 day Yoga Challenge – a video pose for each day but I only did the first 3 days.

Start doing planks again. NO!

I may have done them a few times but not often enough to call it a YES. No excuses here… just plain lazy.

Pick a spring half marathon. NO!

Still deciding. I’d like to do the Vermont City Relay again but it’s a lottery. Also would LOVE to run the NYC Half but that’s a lottery too. I am considering a few at the end of April or beginning of May as backups.

Run at least 90 miles. YES!

93 miles. Half marathon training has helped keep my mileage up. It’s the most monthly miles I’ve run since last December when I was training for half # 11.

What else?

Still lots of lake time.

We were lucky to have a warm September.

Joined the Troy Turkey Trot Training Challenge for the 2nd year.

Although I will only go on Mondays since I have races on Saturdays, I enjoy it. And it’s good for me to push myself and run hills or do speed work.

Starting Mentoring the STEM running group (survivors of domestic violence training for a 5k)

The first week, I got there late due to traffic so I switched to another group in a closer location. They meet 3x a week but I will go on Wednesdays and run with one lady.

Lots of eating out in restaurants.

Not sure if that is a good thing. There’s been the after boating eat outs, my mil’s 90th birthday party and my monthly tennis get together.

OCTOBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Continue the long runs on the weekend.
Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
Finish a half marathon under 2:25:00
Do some yoga.
Start doing planks again.
Continue running with a group.
Walk 70,000 steps each week.
Pick a spring half marathon.
Run at least 85 miles.
Start a knitting project.

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything interesting planned for October? What arer your thinking about today?

September 28, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my first Troy Turkey Trot training group run. I loved it. Holly & I chatted the whole run. I even ran up the hills.

Love this park’s flowers

hilly but great run

view on my way home

Tuesday – Just a work day, a lunch time walk and 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work.

flowers are here but slowly dying

Wednesday – I squeezing in a run on the track during work. I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the STEM group run/walk on time after work. It’s a Couch25k program for survivors of domestic violence.

With all the traffic, I missed the STEM run so on my way home I stopped to run some more and discovered that the Rail Trail was completed (from Delmar to Albany.) Since I had already run that afternoon, I only did 2 miles.

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk in the park at lunch and then a run after work on the same rail trail as yesterday.

flowers are still in bloom

finished just as it got dark – the days are getting shorter 😦

Friday -I took the day off and headed up to my friend’s house on Schroon River. (And yes, there is water there now.) I stopped off at the outlets (and bought stuff I needed and stuff I didn’t need) and then picked up my race packet. I ate dinner in Chestertown and called it a night.

Saturday -It was nice to finally have only a 5 minute ride to the start of the race. It was colder than I hoped (like 38 degrees.) The 10k was hilly as I expected but I won an age group award which is always nice.

1:00:10 – not a PR but 2nd in my AG

After the race, I drove back to my friend’s house to run some more miles (though my legs protested.)

only got in 2.8 miles

But my run was interrupted when my hubby called to say that he was waiting at the marina. I hurried there and we spent a wonderful day picnicking with some friends on one of the islands of Lake George.

We ended the day with a very late dinner out with more friends.

Sunday – We had hoped to spend another day on out boat but a party was planned for my MIL’s 90 the birthday. At least, I was able to squeeze in an easy mile run in the morning. (So my 12 mile weekend long run was in 3 parts over 2 days…)

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me the hubby

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the family

24 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is 2 weeks away!!! Taper time!

This Week: (Week #11 of HM training)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
Tuesday – rest
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work,volunteer walk/run with STEM group, dinner with the tennis ladies
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + more miles
Sunday – rest, day in NYC (walking, eating, Broadway show)

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

August 6, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Breaking All the Rules

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I am thinking…

You bloggers may hate me, but I don’t follow the rules:

Stretching.

I don’t stretch. If I am at home, I open the door and start running. Otherwise, I drive to my route, get out of the car and start running.

in my driveway and ready to go

After my run, I just hop in the shower and go to work or hop in my car and drive home or to wherever.

done and time to go home

Gadgets and Running-Related Stuff.

Besides not stretching, I don’t even own a foam roller, or a stick or KT tape.

I will use one if it will make my body look like this

Knock on wood, I haven’t needed them yet.

Chafing.

I have never experienced it. So I don’t have Body Glide and don’t use anything like that to prevent chafing.

Running Plans.

I have never really used one. That’s not to say that I don’t plan my runs. I do.

But I don’t use a formal plan which means I don’t do hill repeats, intervals, temp runs, etc.

I run several times during the week, usually 3-4 miles and do whatever I feel like. (It’s usually pretty slow with lots of walking.) If I am training for a half marathon, I try to run longer on the weekend, increasing each week’s distance by one mile until I get to 12. I also run races which tends to mess up my training.

Voila – this got me to a PR

Healthy Food.

I’ve never had a protein shake nor have I made a smoothie.

Before a race, I eat 3 packets of this:

I don’t want to look at the ingredients. I am sure they are all artificial

After a run, I love this:

oh so healthy, I know.

or something similar to this:

is there protein in this?

Electrolytes.

Just plan H2O for me. I don’t add Nuun to my water nor do I drink Gatorade. So far, water works for me.

an old pic like circa 2010. I am thinner and wearing shorts!

Solo Runner.

I usually run alone. It’s easier because I can run wherever and whenever it is convenient for me. I can run at whatever pace and distance I feel like. (I do like to run with others, though.)

getting it done at lunch

Ok, I’m not a total running loser.

I have a Garmin GPS watch. I wear it to all my races and check my paces on it.

I eat Gu as fuel whenever I run more than 4 miles.

I have lots and lots of running shoes.

my latest…still looking for THE pair…

I wear running skirts and love them.

my newest skirt from SkirtSports

I have a race belt that holds my bib and carries my phone.

I read running magazines.

but why do they always wear skimpy running shorts on the cover?

I have joined Running Groups.

I have enjoyed them. Running with others makes the time go by faster. It also motivates you to run at a faster pace.

Freihofer’s training group

I run a lot of races each year.

Last year it was 31. It may be even more this year.

finishing my last 5k

Speaking of races, I have another 5k tomorrow night.

August 7, 2015 6:30 pm Central Park, Schenectady

I’m not a fan of evening races so we’ll see how it goes. Just hoping for NO PAIN and a finish under 30 minutes. Would be extra happy with an Age Group Award!!

Happy Running! What are you thinking about? Are you a rule breaker?

June 16, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Solo Vs. With A Group

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Solo Vs. With A Group

I mostly run solo so I’ll start here:

Advantages of Running Solo

You choose your pace.

You can run slow or push the pace. You can walk when you feel like it or just stop and take photographs. No pressure.

You can be flexible with regard to time and distance.

You can wait for the rain to stop or change your mind and run in the evening rather than the morning, You can cut short your run or if you feel like it, you can extend it.