March Update

MARCH GOALS:

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

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  • Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.) YES!! Several times each week.
  • Finish knitting that pair of socksYES!! 
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my 5th pair. What shall I do next?

  • Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda. YES!
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lunch, a movie & ice cream

  • Run a 5k race under 30 minutes! Nope…
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30:17 😦 but won 1st place in my AG

  • Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes! YES!
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Runnin of the Green – finished in 38:07!!

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

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  • Complete my 8th Half Marathon. YES!!
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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.
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indoors until the weather improves

  • Use those 5 lb weights on my desk.

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

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February Rewind

FEBRUARY GOALS:

  • RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES! (though there were more 3 times than 4 times.)
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around the park

or

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around my town

or

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around work

  • Start back at planks (Do it at least once per week.) YES, several times a week (1 minute before getting in the shower in the am)
  • Take the stairs at work rather than the elevator. Yes, most of the time.
  • Finish knitting another pair of socks. No but I finished one sock of the pair.

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  • Continue to run some of my long runs with others. NO.  Hard to coordinate so I have done them solo.
  • Run while on my mini-vacation to Florida. YES!
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Feb 27

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Feb 28

  • Run at least one race. Yes, 2 races!
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Feb 1

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Feb 2

  • Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my March half marathon. YES! Every weekend.
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10 miles on the Nisky bike path

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10 miles on the Corning bike path

  • Run at least 75 miles this month.  YES! 82 miles!

feb14miles

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

MARCH GOALS:

  • RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
  • Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.)
  • Finish knitting that pair of socks.
  • Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda.  (I haven’t seen her since Christmas)
  • Run a 5k race under 30 minutes!
  • Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes!
  • Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my half marathon.
  • Complete my 8th Half Marathon.
  • Run at least 80 miles this month.  
  • Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

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

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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 Adriene

8 miles with Adrienne

  • Complete my first 10 mile race. YES!!!!
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1:49:55 and 3rd in my AG

  • Run at least one other race. Yes! 

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

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

January 2014

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

What else?

  • I spent New Year’s Day on Lake George.
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cruise with my hubby & friends

  • I went to NYC for a day.
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to the NY Boat show & other holiday sites (with my hubby)

  • I visited La Quinta, CA to see my friend Mary.
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at Indian Wells Tennis Garden

  • I went to an Ice Bar in Lake George.

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  • 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!

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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?

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Reverse Bucket List

I saw this on Age Groups Rock and loved it and decided to do my own.

As she explains:

Essentially, it’s a list of all the wonderful things you’ve already done. Not the ones you WANT to do.
It isn’t supposed to be a brag or a “look at me and the special things I’ve done” list. It’s just a bit of reflection and an attempt to stay focused on the positives. Sometimes, we fall short of our own expectations, or we see others who’ve far exceeded the expectations we set for ourselves. For a second, we can forget how awesome we are.
Accomplishments are something to be proud of but they do not determine your value. A Reverse Bucket List should make you feel motivated and inspired to be the person you want to be.
So here I go:
1. Spent my junior year of college in France studying French at the Universite de Nice. (I switched from being a Math major to a French major so I could do this.)
2.  Went skiing in the Alps (during my junior year abroad). It was my first time skiing EVER.
3.  Rode a jet ski in the Caribbean (on my honeymoon)
4.  Went snorkeling off the coast of the Virgin Islands (also on my honeymoon.)
5.  Went to a rain forest in Puerto Rico.
6.  Saw the Wailing Wall in Israel.
7.  Saw the Acropolis in Greece.
8.  Visited Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France. (Monet is one of my favorite painters.)
9.  Went to the top of Mont Blanc.
10.  Went to a Mets baseball game (at Shea stadium, Expo Stadium and Wrigley Field)
11.  Saw the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, etc. in Paris. (I went many times with students, with my SIL but my favorite time was the one by myself on the way to visit my friend in Holland.)
12. I won a Teacher of the Year award while teaching French.
I taught French here for 22 years.
13. Went white water rafting in Jackson Hole, WY.
14.  Saw a geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
yellowstone 03Old Faithful – Aug. 2003
15.  Visited the Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
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Bryce Canyon – Sept. 2004
16.  Went to Russia 3 times and stayed with a wonderful girl, Anna (whom I am still in contact with).
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Family dinner in Kursk – Apr. 2006
17.  Saw Billy Joel and Elton John perform in concert.
18.  Competed in USTA Nationals (in Palm Springs).

Our 2.5 team –  Oct. 2002
19.  Started taking annual girl trips (to Naples and other places.) We’ve taken 17 trips together already.

Naples, FL –  May, 2010
20.  Watched many famous tennis players play at the US Open.
cljsters 09Kim Cljsters – 2009 (the year she won)
21.  Starting running at age 55 – the best decision I ever made.
Freihofer’s 5K  – June, 2008
(with my 2 friends that started me running)
22.  Ran 7 Half Marathons.
my first – Jan. 2011
23.  Ran several destinations race (2 in California & 2 in Florida.)
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10 Mile race in Palm Springs – Jan 2014
24.  Climbed to the top of several lighthouses. (I love the ocean & lighthouses.)
ponce inlet 2013Ponce Inlet, FL (Jan 2013)
25.  Went back to school and switched careers from French to Technology.  (Never got burnt out as a teacher.  Love all things techie so it is perfect.)
necc06at a technology conference with Heike, one of the many techies
that  I connected with through the past 15 years
26.  Got matched with Amanda through a Mentors & Moms program.  (So now I have a pseudo daughter & 2 grandsons.)
with Richard (7), Amanda (23) & Matthew(2)
– Dec. 2013
 27. Took a carriage ride through Central Park
with friends – Dec. 2013
28.  Learned to quilt (I have completed many full-size quilts.)
2404_66564069427_6483_nthis one I made for a friend’s grandson
29.  Learned to knit. ( I have only knitted socks & hats so far.)
30.  Have seen the sunrise over the Atlantic ocean
sunriseDaytona Beach – Jan. 2013
31. Have seen the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico
sunset
Naples – Nov. 2010
32.  Learned to play mah jongg.
closed $.50 hand  (only one hand that is better)
It is amazing how many things that I am proud that I have accomplished in my lifetime so far.
I feel very fortunate that when I was younger I did a fair amount of traveling that financially I cannot do now. (If I win the lottery I will do more.)
Happy Running!  What items are on your “Reverse Bucket List”?
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December Rundown

DECEMBER GOALS:

  • RUN (regularly)!!! YES! At least 3x week!
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in the park

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in town

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in the neighborhood

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on the bike path

  • Do not overdo and listen to my body…Do NOT run if foot pain gets worse. YES!  Only ran 1 mile on rest days of the streak and then added my rest days back. Foot pain is much improved.
  • Attend at least 2 yoga classes! YES! Attended 3 classes!
  • Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. YES on most days! Thanks to my co-worker Sherri.
  • Cut back on the sweets and eating out. I doubt it.  It is the holiday season!
christmas cookie exchange at work

ate lots of cookies

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and desserts

  • Start knitting again (socks or something else)
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working on a pair of socks

  • Run before work at least once a week. Not often! Too cold!
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would you run?

  • Run a new route. Yes, sorta. I haven’t run this route in 3 years.
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in town and around the golf course

  • Continue to run some of my long runs with others. Nope.  Just couldn’t coordinate our days. I usually run on Saturday and they run on Sunday.  Definitely plan to do it next month!
  • Run at least one race. YES! 

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  • Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler) YES!
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8 miles on the Corning bike trail

  • Complete the RW Running Streak (run at least 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Year’s) NO! I decided to quit after 10 days straight.

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  • Run at least 70 miles this month.  YES! 86 – my biggest month this year!

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I also visited NYC with 2 friends.

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I spent some time with my mentee Amanda and her sons. In fact I saw them 3 times this month.

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I celebrated quite a few dinners out – 5 birthdays, 2 tennis parties, Christmas & New Year’s Eve. Holy waist line!

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tennis friend Suzy’s b-day

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former co-worker Cheryl’s b-day

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college friend Judy’s b-day

tennis party

tennis party

I went to see several very enjoyable movies: Philomena, Catching Fire, Book Thief, American Hustle, Saving Mr Banks.

 I also read some good books including What Alice Forgot, the Aviator’s Wife, the Orphan Train.

JANUARY GOALS:

  • RUN (regularly)!!!
  • Do not overdo and listen to my body!
  • Attend at least 2 yoga classes!
  • Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work.
  • Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over.
  • Run before work at least once a week.
  • Continue to run some of my long runs with others
  • Complete my first 10 mile race.
  • Run at least one other race.
  • Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon)
  • Run at least 70 miles this month. 
  • Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your December? Anything exciting planned for January?

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Currently

Currently

Being off from work for more than a weekend is very strange for me. I am not used to having so much free time and yet, not getting things done.

Watching: TVs shows on my iPad.  I have to catch on missed episodes of my favorite shows – The Good Wife, Revenge, Grey’s Anatomy and Nashville

Reading: The Orphan Train. A friend recommended it and so far it is very good.

Listening: Pandora.  I usually only listen to music in the car and my drive to work is very short.  I love listening to oldies – Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Jim Croce, Jackson Browne, Carole King, etc.

Making: Socks.  I have the wool so but I kinda have lost interest in knitting.  It reminds me of the time I knit because I couldn’t do anything else.

Feeling: Relaxed and rested.

Planning: Dinner.  Not working makes me feel guilty about not cooking dinner for my hubby.When I am working, I don’t have the time.  No excuse today.

Loving: Being able to run at any time of the day I want.  I can run in the daylight and can wait until the weather improves. I can run as far as I want and where I want. Unfortunately, this only happens once a year.

Happy Running! What’s on your ‘Currently’ list?

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Bring on March!

March is supposed to be the windy month but it seemed to me that it was February this year!

February Update:

  • 2 Races – one 4 miler and one 7K
AJH got 2nd place...we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

AJH got 2nd place…and I got 3rd!!

  • I finished knitting a pair of socks
3rd pair

so what if it took almost a year…

  • I played tennis every Monday…that’s 4 times in one month!
  • I did a better job of following my half marathon training plan by adding an extra day of running…
in Jan, I was worried about my foot & only running every other day

in Jan, I was worried about my foot & only running every other day

  • This month I ran 84 miles! The most miles in a month since 2011!
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Nisky Bike Trail – one of my favorite places to run

  • I tried to eat fruit and vegetables everyday!
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love mandarin oranges & craisins in my salad

  • I even used the treadmill several times when the weather wouldn’t cooperate.
dreadmill

ipad & water required

  • I read quite a few books. In addition to my YA fixation (I finished Insurgent & started Matched), I read 3 Joy Fielding mystery thrillers.

joyf1

  • I did not do any yoga…I did not use the exercise bike during lunch…I did not see my mentee… oh well, there’s March!

Hope we have nicer weather in March (and an early spring!!!)

MonthMarchWd

GOALS

  • Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
  • Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 or a 5 miler on April 14)
  • Do yoga instead each week
  • Continue tennis once a week
  • Sign up for another half marathon
  • Continue to eat healthier

Happy Running! How was your February running? Anything new planned for March?

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Wordless Wednesday – Socks

I love socks so why not knit them?

I am starting pairs 4 & 5.

But… I have to buy running socks:

smart wool

smart wool

drinking coffee out of my new Moscow mug

compression

Recovery-Socks-001

recovery socks

tmsocks

cool maxx

Happy Running!  What are your favorite kind of socks?

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2012 Recap (in Photos)

And it wasn’t all bad…

Here it is month by month in photos. ENJOY!

JANUARY

Jimmy Buffet-themed birthday party for one of my Lake George friends

FEBRUARY

I knit my first sock

MARCH

I started biking

APRIL

I started walking at lunch

MAY

I celebrated my birthday in Florida

JUNE

I started running again

JULY

I started playing tennis again

AUGUST

I cooled off every weekend in the lake

SEPTEMBER

I had a 2nd visit from Anna from Russia

OCTOBER

I spent time with my 2 fav little guys

NOVEMBER

I had a surprise visit from a friend who moved to Florida

DECEMBER

I got to go to Orlando with friends

Happy Running! Hope you had a good year! What was the highlight?

Staycation Has Begun

Not that I don’t love working but I can get used to this! It’s Sunday eve and tomorrow, there’s NO WORK for me!!

Usually when I take off from work, it is to go somewhere.

The week between Christmas and News Years, I am off (though I was tempted to go somewhere warm), and we decided to stay home. And I have nothing to do except:

  • Run – whenever I want (and not break my ankle on the ice!!!!)
  • Catch up with friends – celebrating my bff’s b-day on Thurs & annual tennis holiday party on Fri
  • Shop for bargains– love those after Christmas sales
  • Read – just finished Glass Castle & Gone Girl…any suggestions??
  • Knit – want to finish this pair of socks

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  • Go to the Movies – I want to see Les Miz, Silver Linings, Guilt Trip…

I may do more of the above the rest of the week but I really should do grocery shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning, re-organgizing…

Then I won’t mind going back to work next Wednesday!!! Ha Ha!

Happy Running! Do you have the week off? What are you going with your free time?