July 1, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Summer Fitness Goals

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . 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!

My Friday Five topic is Summer Fitness Goals

Work Those Arms.

My arms need help. You don’t see the bat wings in photos but they’re there. I could go to the gym or do planks at home. (If only I could do A push-up…)

I hope to keep playing a lot of tennis. That can’t hurt.

2. Run with Others

And I don’t mean in races. That’s a given. It is easier to just go out and do it alone but I run better and faster and at a more consistent pace when I don’t run by myself.

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My new running buddy, Alyssa, who training for her first marathon in Dec.

Barbara who challenges me to run faster

Denise & Judy whose run/walk style helps me be more consistent.

3. Find Some Different Places to Run

I need to get out of my rail trail rut. It’s easy and it’s close but now I have the time to explore.

Central Park was a blast but it’s 3 hours away.

But there are lots of places within an hour that I need to explore.

Old Champlain Canal trail (Waterford)

Peebles Island

4. Try something new.

Hopefully parasailing or driving a jetski but most likely kayaking and SUPing.

stay turned so see how this turned out… I plan to try it on Sunday

5. Eat healthier.

Already kicked my Starbucks habit since I don’t work nearby anymore.

made my first smoothie – chocolate, banana, protein powder, almond milk – as good as Starbucks

chicken, apples, walnuts, cheese, lettuce, raspberry dressing – just like Panera’s?

I haven’t kicked my ice cream addiction yet.

Happy Running! What are some of your summer fitness goals?

November 13, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Ways to stay healthy during the holidays

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!

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…)

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christmas cookie exchange at work

Happy Running! How do you stay healthy during the holidays?

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?

August 17, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Today was a rest day. Nothing exciting except for work and getting my nails done after work.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but it was pouring. Then I was going to run during lunch…still raining. Tennis was cancelled after work so I had no excuses. I tortured myself with 3 miles on the treadmill. Torture because it was so hot and I left my iPad home…no TV to pass the time.

Wednesday – No rain today and cooler temps so I went to the Crossings for an easy 4 mile run. My friend’s daughter was working at a nearby ice cream shop so I had to run by and buy a milkshake and then run back (which added an extra mile).

Thursday – Another rest day. Just work and met my BFF at the mall for a walk after work.

Friday – I went into work late today. I had a busy weekend planned and I wanted to get miles done in case I didn’t have time to run during the weekend. I drove to the bike path and ran 8.75 slow miles. By slow, I mean that I stopped at Starbucks and stopped many times to take photos, read my email, check on FB, etc. At least I was outdoors and the weather was great.

Saturday – I got early today because I had to proctor the MPREs at work. Afterward, we met some friends and drove to the Xfinity Center in MA to see Huey Lewis and the News and JIMMY BUFFET!! I am a proud “Parrothead.” It was a blast!

Sunday – after getting home at 2:30 am, we still got up early to head to the lake. I relaxed with some reading, hiking and dinner out.

16.75 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running.

This Week: (Week #5 of HM training)

Monday- 4 mile run before work, gym after
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – 3 mile run before work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 mile run, weekend at Schroon River with my tennis BFFs
Sunday – rest, tennis

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 10, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– It was Staff Appreciation Day so I had the day off from work. My former co-worker, Molly and I decided to have our annual breakfast at the race track day. But since I didn’t have to rush off to work, we decided to stay for the races. It was a blast especially since I won 7 out of 10 races. Too bad I only bet $1 at a time.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but I was too tired (after 12 hours at the track yesterday.) Then it was raining during my lunch break so I decided to forget it. I did play tennis after work for about 2 hours (but went out to dinner after & put those calories burned back on.)

Wednesday – Again I got lazy and decided to run after work rather than before. I chose the rail trail close to home. I was tired so the run was slow but the highlight was a deer in my path.

Thursday – Not much happened today except that I had a hair appointment and ate a lot of food at work. So I forced myself to stop by the gym to a few minutes of exercise.

Friday – I left work early so I could go home and change in order to run an evening 5K.

free beer & ice cream & 2nd in my AG made up for my mediocre finish time

Saturday – Another rest and boating day on the schedule. So nice that the weather has been cooperating.

Sunday – After a restless night sleeping on the boat, I dragged myself up early to run. I love to run in this area and I know that it will be ending before you know it. Unfortunately, my hubby & friends were anxiously awaiting my return but I did manage to squeeze in 7 miles.

The rest of the day was spent similar to Saturday… on the water after breakfast out and then a boat ride up north to spend time with an old friend.

14 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running. No wonder nothing hurts.

This Week: (Week #4 of HM training)

Monday- walk at work, rest, gym
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – walk at work, rest, gym
Friday – 8 mile run (GO INTO WORK LATE), mah jongg
Saturday – rest, work, Jimmy Buffet concert!!
Sunday – rest, 4 mile run?

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

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

August 1, 2015 by Darlene

July Recap

July Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. YES!

Get some strength training or yoga done. SOME! Used the machines at my free gym once a week.

played tennis only once

Go for a walk several times a week at work. RARELY!

this may have been my only walk

Run a 5K race or two. YES! 2 5ks.

Improve my speed. YES! Both 5ks were under 29 minutes.

TEAM Sarcoma 5K

Silks and Satins 5k

Keep my weight in check.?? Still haven’t put a new battery in my scale.
Run at least 70 miles. YES! 73 miles!

What else?

Lots of boating weekends.

July 5

July 11

July 12

July 18 & 19

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July 26

Lots of (too many) meals out with friends

Trip to NYC with friends

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lunch on a boat

walk on the High Line

Read several good books

August Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Start longer runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15.
Walk at work on days that I don’t run.
Go to the gym at least once a week.
Run before work to avoid the heat.
Run a race or 2.
Run at least 75 miles.
Spend time with my mentee & sons.

Happy Running! How was your July? Anything exciting planned for August?

July 6, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday- 3 4 mile run before work, dinner out for friend’s bday

Tuesday – ~~walk at work~~ (rain), dentist after, gym

15 mins – better than nothing

Wednesday – 3 mile run before work (rain), 2 mile run at work, hair appt, mall walk with BFF

got rained on or may have gotten another mile in

Thursday – 4 3 mile run after work

with Judy, new Hokas and ice cream afterwards = good run

Friday – off from work, 4 3.5 mile run, ~~nails~~, gardening, errands, mah jongg

Saturday – boating

it wasn’t sunny but it was so much fun

Sunday – 3 5 mile run, boating

slow, hilly but scenic ❤

warm, sunny day in the bay

This Week:

Monday- 3 mile run
Tuesday – walk at work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest
Friday – 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday & Sunday – 5k race, boating

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

April 30, 2015 by Darlene

April Recap

April Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes!

on the treadmill

Get some strength training or yoga done. I have gone to the gym twice. (It’s a start.)
Continue running with a training group. Yes! On Mondays.

Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on April 18. One.

Complete a 5K race. Yes! Two!

Bacon Hil 5K – 28:01 – 1st in my AG

Cherry Blossom 5K – 27:56 – 2nd in my AG

Complete Half Marathon #12. Yes!

very painful feet made this not my best attempt but finished – 2:20:18

Run my 5k races under 10 min. mile pace. Yes both!

Bacon Hill 5K – 9 min pace

Cherry Blossom 5K – 9 min pace

Win an age group award. YES! 2!

2nd place

Run with my GOTR running buddy. Yes! And she’s FAST!

Run at least 85 miles. Yes.

apr15

I had a nice visit with my college buddy.

We started a walking challenge at work. We are on teams and we track our steps weekly.

May Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Go for a walk everyday at work.
Continue running with a training group.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on May 24
Complete a 15K race.
Win an age group award for a 15k.
Run a 5K with my GOTR running buddy.
Run while on my tennis vacation in Florida.
Complete Half Marathon #13.
Complete a 5K race.
Run my 5k race under 10 min. mile pace.
Run at least 85 miles.

May is my favorite month! The tulips are in bloom and my birthday is in this month!!!

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

February 6, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fitness Snapshots

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: Fitness Snapshots

1. Tennis – 1 1/2 hours of doubles this week (inside)

2. Walking – 9 1/2 laps of the building – it is still too cold to go outside.

still indoors

3. Treadmill – still too cold & icy sometimes to run outside. I ran on the treadmill TWICE this week.

this podcast is getting me through the runs

4. Yoga – I didn’t actually go to a yoga class but I am doing a few poses each day.

5. Running – yes, I did run outside in the cold too. Brrr!

Happy Running! How did you keep active this week?

January 30, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Indoor Workouts

This week, the theme is: Favorite Indoor Workouts

This is hard for me because I HATE to work out!!!!

But here are 5 that I occasionally do:

1. Yoga – I actually like yoga but running gets in the way and then there is the money to take classes. I really should do it on my own.

yes, this is me to the right.

2. Planks – I was doing these daily for about 1 minute but like everything else, I stopped. But when I remember, I do them.

NOT ME!

3. Weights – my co-worker loves weights and gave me a pair of 5 lbers. They sit on the floor near by desk at work. Every now and then I do several arm exercises with them.

4. Treadmill – this is only out of necessity. I run on it when the weather is so bad that I can’t possibly run outside. And I must have my iPad to watch TV on or I will go insane.