July 8, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Summer Clothing

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: Summer Clothing

Shirts (or tanks) made of breathable fabric – no cotton.

Lululemon – one of my favs (gift)

Target – another favorite

Skirts. I find them cooler than shorts and less chafing

from runningskirts.com

from Target

Cap to keep the sun out of my face. It also keeps my (unruly) hair off my neck.

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mother-147

Sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to the sun and I wear contacts so this helps if it is breezy, as well.

rw_5k_end

seans_run_11

Don’t forget that if you chafe, in the summer when you sweat, you chafe even more.

Happy Running! Any additions that you add to your summer running wardrobe?

June 23, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

update Last Week:

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF

to the park for lunch

after work

Tuesday -2 walks at work, tennis

AM walk

Wednesday – lunch luau at work, walk, 3 4 mile run, ~~yoga~~

lots of eating

PM walk around campus

on a full stomach – ugh!

Thursday – rest, day in NYC (lots of walking)

Friday – walk at work, 4 mile run, mah jongg

Saturday – rest, spectate a 5K, nails, gardening

my friend’s first 5K

Sunday – 10m race, boating

perfect weather & a PR

Lake George with friends

This Week:

Monday – DAY OFF, 3 recovery miles
Tuesday –rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles at lunch, concert
Thursday – rest, movie
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday, Sunday – 6 miles, boating

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

June 20, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Ways to Beat the Heat

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 Five Ways to Beat the Heat.

1: Run early in the Morning

That’s a no brainer but not as easy as you think. If you work, like I do, you have to get up very early. On the plus side, you can see the sun rise.

If I lived in Florida and had this view, I would get up and run everyday. And I did when I was on vacation in Florida

my neighborhood – not so motivating

2: Run where there is shade.

Again, it is pretty obvious. I afford the track in the summer. It is too hot. Trails are my favorite. Also, parts of the bike paths are shaded.

hot..hot..hot when it is sunny

Delmar Rail Trail

Colonie Bike Path

Elm Ave Fitness Trail

Nisky bike path

3. Run near water.

Boy, do I wish I lived near the ocean. But I am lucky that I go to the lake on the weekends and can jump in when I am done running.

during my visit to Florida

Lake George

when I am done running…

4. Run indoors on a treadmill.

If you belong to a gym where it is air-conditioned, this is a good idea when it is too hot outside.

Me personally, I do not. Nor do I enjoy running on the treadmill.

watching my favorite TV shows on my iPad makes it slightly bearable

5. Wear appropriate clothing.

That means shirts (or tanks) made of breathable fabric – no cotton. I like skirts. I find them cooler than shorts. Wear a cap to keep the sun out of your face. Wear sunglasses. If possible, carry water (or plant is along your route.)

How do you stay cool in the summer?

Happy Running!

June 5, 2014 by Darlene

Summer racing

is coming!

I love to run races in the summer.

It’s always a challenge to fit them in around our weekend boating.

But I wouldn’t give either one up.

I am hoping that this summer I am free of injuries.

That hasn’t been the case in recent years:

2011 – 6 wks off for a strained achilles
2012 – slowly recovering from ankle surgery (started running too soon & wound up with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture)
2013 – 6 wks off for a broken 5th metatarsal

So far, this is my summer racing schedule:

June 8 – Betar Byway 5k
June 14 – Strawberry Festival 5K
June 22 – Adirondack Distance 10m
July 13 – Saratoga Half Marathon – doubtful but maybe
July 26 – Turning Point 5k
August 2 – Race The Train (8.4m) – maybe?
August 9 – Camp Chingachgook 10k
August 16 – Jailhouse Rock 5k
August 30 – Care For Kids 5K Run – maybe?
September 7 – MBPK 5K
September 14 – Biggest Loser 10k

I am also looking for a fall half marathon. I have a few possibilities and they are Sept 21 or 27 or Oct 5. That will mean long runs starting this summer.

Happy Running! Do you race a lot in the summer?

September 17, 2013 by Darlene

TRU

Last Week:

Monday – tennis, 1 mile walk at work
Tuesday – tennis, 1 mile walk at work
Wednesday – 3 HOT SWEATY miles before work, 1 mile walk at work
Thursday – 4 3 sweaty miles before work, 1 mile walk at work
Friday – rest
Saturday – long run of 10 miles

Nisky bike path

Sunday – boating & a 5 mile hike

This Week:

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – 3 or 4 miles before work
Wednesday – rest, movie
Thursday – 4 miles after work
Friday – rest
Saturday – 10K race + ?? miles (weather depending)
Sunday – boating hopefully

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

September 12, 2013 by Darlene

TTT

Ugh! A five day week.

It is the first time I have worked a full week in awhile.

I didn’t defer my Oct 13 half marathon. That just means that I didn’t pay the $25. I still may run/walk it or if the weather is lousy, skip it and maybe even sign up again next year. Who knows… The jury is still out.
Tennis wasn’t so bad. I played on Monday with some friends (at my level). I wasn’t awesome but I didn’t suck. (4-6, 4-6, 2-0) Tuesday I played with women that were at a higher level. I played a little better (8-6, 3-3)
Crazy weather..how’s a girl to dress or run?

On Wed, I ran before work to avoid the heat & humidity (& possible thunderstorms). I did the same today.

Happy Running! Are you having crazy weather as well?

July 18, 2013 by Darlene

Who Wants to Run Anyway?

I do!

But is SOOOO HOT!

Now really!? This is the Northeast not Florida or California or Texas!!

But my doctor said I could try running 1 mile on the track!!

Being the impatient person I am and not having run for 45 days, I couldn’t wait…

this is what my car read when I left work

I rushed home, had dinner and waited for it to cool down to a mere 90 degrees and went back to the track at work.

I was a little nervous… my first run after an injury is always scary but I quickly forgot about my foot and concentrated on breathing in this HEAT. I stopped after each lap to grab some water and continued at an easy 11 minute pace (which did not feel easy) until I had run ONE MILE!!

Running on a track is pretty boring. But it is better than not running at all. I may try the treadmill if it cools down. I am not sure how long I can wait before hitting the road.

We’ll have to see how the foot behaves…

Happy Running!

July 16, 2013 by Darlene

Two on Tuesday

Yesterday, I took an unplanned off-track walk. I planned to walk on the track but a field day was going on so I walked into town. It was very hot and it was also uphill on the way back (so I stopped at Starbucks as a reward).

I survived and it was a nice change from the monotonous track (hopefully my foot is no worse for wear.)

the lake in Washington Park

sunflowers, my second favorite after tulips

green tea frappuccino (minus the whipped cream)- getting addicted to these

2. I also saw a great movie last night: 20 Feet from Stardom –

In his compelling new film, director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.

Go see this movie if it’s playing in your area!! You’ll listen to songs differently.

Tonight I plan to take my first bike ride (since my last injury.) Yes, I only ride when I can’t run. I don’t hate to ride…it’s just a distant 4th after running, tennis, yoga…and there’s no time for everything.

Happy Running! Have you seen any good movies lately?

July 15, 2013 by Darlene

The Last Non-Running Weekend on the Lake?

Running soon??

Maybe?

Anyway, this past weekend was a HOT one. No better place to be but on the lake.

Blogging has introduced me to some remarkable people. One, for example, is Christa from Livin’ a Little Life. (Check out her blog if you haven’t.) She and her family camp frequently on Lake George so since I knew where she was this weekend, me & the hubby stopped to say hello on Saturday.

me & Christa

Then we spent the rest of the day on floats in the water.

some of our marina friends

me & my hubby

For dinner, we went to the same lakeside restaurant as last weekend.

Blue Water Manor

When we got back, I went for a SLOW walk to the Sagamore. It’s not far but my fitness has escaped me in the past 6 weeks. I barely made it there and back and was really tired afterwards.

We spent the rest of the evening in our air-conditioned marina watching a movie with the crew – Admissions with Tina Fey – quite entertaining!

Sunday morning would normally be this:

last summer running on 9N in Bolton Landing

But instead, I went on a friend’s boat as spotter for his daughter who wanted to go tubing.

It was another HOT humid day and we spent it the same way as Saturday – floating around in the water…eating…drinking…listening to music and goofing around.

yes, our friend’s husband caught a large SNAPPING turtle

For dinner, instead of spending a lot of money for dinner with a view, we docked at an island and cooked hot dogs.

still a nice view but a lot cheaper

Sadly, my hubby & I had to put the boat away and head home. Of course, I stopped for one last treat – ice cream at Stewart’s. (new flavor: NoRegretzel – I recommend it!!)

So will I be running soon????

taken during a run last summer…

Happy Running! How is your running going? Hope you are surviving the heat!

July 13, 2013 by Darlene

Week 6 – Making the Best of a Broken Foot

hot weather

The rainy, stormy, hot, humid weather has continued. No complaints here. (It’s cool in my air-conditioned office & house.)

I still go to the library and read real books

More reading – finished Revenge Wears Prada, Daddy’s Gone A Hunting (Mary Higgins Clark). Started Lone Wolf (Picoult)
Watched another episode of Call The Midwife while on the stationary bike at work