March 6, 2016 by Darlene

Sunday Teas

Today was a day of “tea” with some running, eating, hot tubbing and TV viewing thrown in.

Morning

The day started with some Dirty Chai.

As I am trying to add caffeine back into my life, I am transitioning from herbal tea to chai then to coffee. So I tried Dirty Chai which is chai plus espresso. It was ok. I am still looking forward to my morning lattes.

Afternoon

Today was also my last long run before next Sunday’s half marathon.

I invited both Judy and Barbara to accompany me. I planned to run 10 miles. Although Judy runs at a slower pace, I don’t mind doing part of my long runs with her.

Barbara runs much faster (and faster than me) but she isn’t training for anything so I wasn’t sure how far she would run with me. But she decided that she would try to do all 10 miles.

What a perfect day for running – blue skies, sunshine, a little wind and cool but not too cold.

Barbara & I wound up running in each direction so we could loop back to our cars for fuel and water.

Unfortunately, we only met up with Judy for a minute. It was too difficult to coordinate and Judy was carrying her fuel and water so she just ran out and back by herself.

Barbara and I were fine together for about 5 miles but at that point, I needed to slow down so she went ahead.

img_8722-1

For the next 5 miles, we ran together and then she ran ahead. And when Barbara tired because she isn’t used this many miles, I ran ahead.

This run was way better than last week’s. I am glad to be going into a half marathon after a decent long run. I am grateful that Barbara stuck with me.

Not long after, Judy was done with her 9 miles and the three of us headed out for a post race treat.

High tea!! We got a pot of tea, 3 tea sandwiches, a scone and 3 desserts! YUM!

Great idea, Judy! What a fun way to end a run. Hope to do that again…

As soon as I got home, I jumped in the hot tub to soothe my weary bones. AAAHHH!

Evening

I don’t know if you are a Downton Abbey fan like I am. But I love that show and am so sad to have end it tonight.

I was invited to a viewing party at a co-worker’s house.

Guess what I am bringing?

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you run or race? Did you watch Downton Abbey?

March 4, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: The Long Run

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!

Since tomorrow I am finishing up my training for my next half marathon, my “fitness” topic for this Friday is appropriately Five Ways to Survive the Long Run.

Here are the things that have gotten me through the last few weekends:

Find a Scenic Route

It’s so much more enjoyable if you run some place with great views. I personally wished I lived along the ocean but I don’t. So I either run along the river or some place with trees or bridges.

on the Delmar Rail Trail

2. Plan Ahead.

You need to decide when based on your schedule and more importantly the weather forecast, you are going to do your long run. Then the night before, I don’t plan to go out drinking with friends, stay up too late or skip dinner.

This was not the night before a long run.

3. Do it with a Friend.

The miles and time also go faster when you run with someone else, even if it is just for a few miles. My friend, Judy, is often on a different training schedule. So I may start my run first and then meet her for the last few miles or vice versa.

Dec - running with a new friend

4. Run for Distance not Time.

When I am running longer distances, I try to focus on how far I am running and not how fast. I find that when I focus on time, it makes the run seem longer than it really is. Plus, I am checking my watch or phone instead of enjoying the run.

Winter_4-145

5. Reward yourself when you’re done.

After the accomplishment of a long run, I like to treat myself. In fact, it is a motivator and I look forward to it the whole time that I am out there. In the warmer temps, it is often ice cream. In the winter, a Starbucks mocha latte.

ice_cream_cone_from_stewarts

Happy Running! Any other tips for surviving the long run?

February 29, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I worked all day at the NYS Bar Exam but managed to squeeze in a short run afterwards. The good news was that I ran on a new route. The bad news was that my legs were pretty tired.

around a college and a country club

Tuesday – Second day at the Bar Exam and a long one it was. My only exercise was walking up and down the halls.

Wednesday – Rain forced me onto the treadmill.

4 miles…hated every minute.

Thursday – Another run after work. It rained all day but luckily it stopped at 6 pm so I didn’t have to get on the treadmill. Afterward walked the mall with my bff.

around the UAlbany campus

Friday – A normal work day followed by an evening of mah jongg. Rest Day!!

Saturday – My 12 mile run was split with running the first 6 with Barbara (who tired me out) and the last 6 with Judy. It was harder than last week but I guess some runs are like that.

Went to a Chinese New Year’s party in the evening – lots of food and drink – well deserved.

quick clean up after my run

Sunday – A picnic at the marina with our boating friends. We celebrated it being only 3 months until Memorial Day.

Mimosas on the lake…anxiously awaiting boating season

On the way home, I dropped my hubby off at tennis and squeezed in a couple of miles before the sun set. It was 55 degrees. I had to do it!!

24 miles done with 5 runs and 2 rest days.

This Week: (2 weeks until Half Marathon #18 )

Monday – 3 mile run
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, yoga?
Thursday – rest, hair appt
Friday – 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – 8-10 mile run, tea w/Judy

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? How are you coping with winter weather?

February 28, 2016 by Darlene

A Tale of Two 12 Mile Runs

Last Sunday, I was recovering from a cold and had 11 miles on my schedule.

I went into town and ran 4 quick miles then met Judy to run on the nearby rail trail.

It wasn’t cold but it was very cloudy and overcast. Judy had planned to run 8 miles and I decided that I would see how I felt.

So we ran 4 miles downhill and I felt fine.

I love this trail because of all the interesting views.

However, this paved path is uphill on the way back and that always makes it difficult because you are more tired.

But for some reason, I felt great. I ran 12 miles instead of the planned 11 and I could have run even more.

So this past Saturday, I planned run 12 again. It would be my last long run because my half marathon in 2 weeks.

This time, the sun was shining. I chose to run on the Corning Bike Path which is flat. My cold was gone. I had high hopes for this run.

I invited Barbara to run the first 4 miles with me. And she slowed down on my behalf. I enjoyed running with her since we haven’t run together in a while. It was nice to catch up.

However, I felt sluggish from the first step. Did we run at a faster pace than I am used to?? Maybe but it was much slower than my race pace. So it should have been fine.

Judy arrived to run the last 8 miles with me but I continued to run with Barbara for 2 more miles.

Then I dragged myself through the next 6 miles with Judy. I usually run at a faster pace than Judy but not today. If it weren’t for her, I may have quit. My legs felt like cement.

A week ago, I felt like I could run forever. Today, I couldn’t wait to be done.

Sometimes, running is so fickle.

Did I eat too little the day before? Maybe.
Did I eat too many hours before my run? Yes. I was hungry when I started.
Did I run the first 6 miles too fast? Faster, maybe. But I don’t think it was too fast.

Most likely, it just wasn’t my day. It happens with races. Why wouldn’t it happen with runs?

Even with a bad run, I enjoyed having the company. I hope to run with them both next weekend.

Happy Running! Ever have a bad run when it should be a good one?

February 22, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Had the day off from work and had no excuse not to do my long run. It was 14 degrees, cloudy and I really didn’t enjoy it. But I got it done. In the evening I dragged my weary legs out to play tennis.

Tuesday – Rainy warm day but only had work and tennis on my schedule. Dinner out after tennis, of course.

Wednesday – Squeezed in a run before dinner out with my tennis friends (to celebrate a birthday.)

Thursday – I’ve been coming down with a cold and it finally reared its ugly head so I skipped my run today.

Friday – Still feeling under the weather but managed a slow easy run after work but bailed on a evening of mah jongg (Decided to keep my germs at home.)

Saturday – Rain was predicted and I was trying to get rid of my cold so I postponed my long run until Sunday. I did some housework and a lot of cooking. But the day turned out to be so gorgeous that I took my tissues and went for a long walk.

Sunday – I really just felt like staying in bed and recuperating but that half in 3 weeks was in my thoughts. Judy was nice enough to accompany me on 8 of my 12 miles today. I survived. In fact, I had planned on only 11 and felt good enough to run 12.

loving this warm winter weather

28 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (3 weeks until Half Marathon #18 )

Monday – work at the NYS bar exam, 3 mile run?
Tuesday – rest day, work at the NYS bar exam again
Wednesday – 3 mile run, yoga
Thursday – 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday –12 mile run, Chinese New Year’s party
Sunday – rest

I am participating in week 2 of the 2 Week Hop. If you’ve never participated and are interested in not only growing your blog but making new friends, I highly recommend that you join the next time.

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? How are you coping with winter weather?

February 11, 2016 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Technology, Training, Winter, Sleep and more…

thinking out loud

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

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Technology…

I was away for 6 days and I did not go on a computer. Not even once. Not even tempted.

No reading blogs.
No commenting on blogs.
No blog postings (I scheduled them all before I left.)
No replying to emails.

I did minimally post to FB and IG with my phone so that my friends would not think I dropped off the face of the earth.

Sorry fellow bloggers, I ignored you all. But it felt great.

I’m back now … and trying to catch up.

Training…

I was so lucky to be spared the ugly winter weather typical for the NE. I was able to get all my long runs in for my recent half marathon.

It would have been nice to schedule a break.

March 13, 2016

This half marathon is in 5 weeks!!!

It means that I don’t have a break from double digit long runs. 10, 11, 12, 8, and then 13.1

vcm16

VCM is the next one I registered for.

But I’m also even considering one for April 24 – 6 weeks after Celebrate Life. Yes, I have lost my mind!!

Winter…

I just got back from Florida.

There was none of this:

in 2013

It was cold…40’s in the am and 50’s in the pm with awful cold winds off the water.

in 2016

But I shouldn’t have been complaining.

This is what I saw yesterday.

The low predicted for Sunday is -6 degrees and windy! And yes, I have to run 10 miles in that plus find a clear place to do it.

Sleep…

I am an awful sleeper. I have a hard time falling asleep and if I do, I have a hard time staying asleep.

Unfortunately, I recently discovered that my FitBit tracks my sleep patterns. (I had hid it originally.)

I average some weeks getting 4 hours a night. Some nights I get 3. I rarely get more than 5 hours. UGH!!

Aren’t you supposed to get 8 hours???

Happy Running! How are you surviving running in the winter? Do you get enough sleep? What are you thinking about this Thursday?

January 25, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Had the day off from work so it would have been nice to go for a run but it was so windy and COLD!! Instead, I went to the dentist, did some errands and played tennis in the evening.

Tuesday – Took my morning walk around work. I intended to run outside but the wind turned me into a wuss. I ran 4 miles on the treadmill instead and then met my BFF for a movie (Carol).

2 episodes of Modern Family

Wednesday – A short run after work before yoga. Cold but not as windy as Monday & Tuesday.

photos when Lisa was the teacher. Now I have Maria.

Thursday – Another after work run. It was cold and windier than Wednesday but I just couldn’t face the treadmill.
Friday – Rest day and an evening of mah jongg.
Saturday – The dreaded 12 mile long run. Today was the day! And the snowstorm hit south and missed us. YAY!!! I like to pick a new location for each of my runs so I chose Colonie Town Park. Judy was again nice enough to keep me company on my last 6 miles. And it was freezing but we survived.

Challenge Yourself Virtual 10K race

Sunday – Rest Day. Did a whole bunch of cooking!! Finished my scarf. Finished my puzzle. Watched ice skating on TV. Yes, I stayed home which I NEVER do.

22.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (2 weeks until Half Marathon #17 )

Monday – 4 mile run after work
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, dinner out with tennis ladies
Thursday – 4 mile run, dinner out with a co-worker
Friday – rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday -rest, hair appt
Sunday – HMRRC #5 – 10 mile race

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 ?

January 23, 2016 by Darlene

Phew! It Missed Us!

Snow is pretty. Don’t get me wrong. I love to LOOK at it.

my driveway during a previous snowstorm

But I panic when I have a long run scheduled and a snowstorm is forecast.

I bought this flag in Florida (because of the cats)

What would I had done?

YakTrax to the rescue.

I don’t love to run in them but I would have had it snowed.

Find a clear path and run multiple loops.

one of my favorite places to run (from a previous winter)

Again not an ideal for a long run but doable.

Run in the road.

Sidewalks are never consistently shoveled. You have to be wary of cars but it would be the only place to cover those miles.

Run slowly and carefully.

What would I have NOT done?

Run on the Treadmill

nothing I could do would make 12 miles bearable

Skip it!

a long run when you have a half marathon in TWO weeks!

But the storm hit south of us. Hip Hip Hooray!

My pleasant challenge was to choose a new location to run. I’ve run on the Delmar Rail Trail, Corning Bike Path and the Nisky Bike Path. So I decided on Colonie Town Park which also includes a bike path.

We didn’t get any snow but boy was it cold!!! 16 degrees when I arrived but in the single digits with the windchill.

First I ran 6.2 miles as part of the Challenge Yourself Virtual 10k Race.

I’ll recap it in my race report tomorrow but basically I ran around the park for 2 miles and then toward the Nisky bike path for 2 more and then turned around (made a wrong turn) and finally finished with 2.2 miles back to my car.

I took a lot of pics and my fingers were numb but otherwise I survived the frigid temps.

wearing my $.01 SmartWool compression calf sleeves – love them! and my new shoes – love them too!

Again I was lucky that Judy agreed to keep me company on my last 6 miles.

We ran in the opposite direction on the bike path heading toward Cohoes for 3 miles and then turned around (uphill on the way back 😦 )

I was too cold now to take many pics. When we started out, we took it very slow since there were several icy patches on the path.

Luckily the path became clearer for the rest of our run but the wind picked up..Brrrr!

I ran with Judy for the first 3 miles. It was nice to run and have someone to talk to. It made the miles go by faster.

However, on the way back, it uphill and windy. I had a hard time running at her speed so I didn’t. I just ran ahead and stopped and waited for her several times and then ran ahead again.

This was too funny. Either it meant that we didn’t get snow or that we didn’t freeze to death.

Both were true.

If it were summertime, I would have stopped at Guptills for an ice cream cone. Instead, I stopped at Target for a Starbucks hot mocha and to pick up a few food items but as usual spend over $200.

I also stopped at Norstrom Rack to buy another pair of those penny smartwool compression calf sleeves.

12 miles today!! So my last long run is done!!! Two weeks until the BIG DAY!!

smhm16

Happy Running! Did you get hit with the snowstorm? How do you cope with running in the snow or cold?

January 18, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Took my morning walk around work and then knit on the exercise bike. After work, it was cold and windy but still ventured out for a run before visiting a friend (the one who just had a mastectomy.)

Tuesday – We had a huge holiday brunch for the whole school. Took my afternoon walk around work. After work, I played tennis and went out to dinner after.

Wednesday – Today we had another holiday lunch with my dept at work. The weather was even colder and windy. I still got out to run after work but my hands were frozen and I stopped after 3 miles.

Thursday – Just work today – truly a rest day.

Friday – Warmed up to the 30’s (heat wave!) so did my after work run followed by an evening of mah jongg games.

Saturday – Rain & sleet in the am so glad to be enjoying a rest day. After lots of housework, got bored so went out to do some retail therapy – bought stuff that I didn’t really need but got GREAT deals.

I have a sock obsession – notice that the $40 socks cost a penny and I saved $73.63.

Sunday – Another free race – I ran the 15K and followed it with a few more miles.

course PR for the race

Celebrated our anniversary (which was Saturday) with a dinner at our favorite restaurant.

22.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (3 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – DAY OFF – dentist, tennis
Tuesday – 4 mile run, movie with BFF
Wednesday – rest, yoga
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 12 mile run
Sunday – rest

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 ?

January 16, 2016 by Darlene

Loving/Not Loving

Welcome to the winter edition of Loving/Not Loving

Loving: HMMRC, a local running club, offers a winter racing series. The races are on Sundays and free. Each race has 3 distance options.
Not Loving: The distances don’t coincide with the long runs that I need to do to prepare for my half marathon. This weekend is a 15k and I need to run 11 miles. On 1/31, there is a 10 miler and I need to run only 8.

3.5 mile race

Loving: SkirtSports has come out with a new print.
Not Loving: Now I want to order it in everything style. I don’t need any more running outfits!!

free love print

Loving: In the cold weather, I don’t have to worry about my feet sweating and getting blisters after a long run.
Not Loving: Shoes and boots aggravate my bunions and now my foot hurts again. (And it’s a long time until sandal/flip flop season!!!)

feb

Loving: I have found new ways to relax – coloring books, knitting and jigsaw puzzles.
Not Loving: These are all sedentary activities. I found that I can knit and ride the exercise bike but the others, NOPE (gotta sit!).

Loving: You get a free Starbucks item after you get 12 stars. I then always order the most expensive thing on the menu.
Not Loving: I forgot that I used my two “free” items and ordered a venti coconut milk cinnamon vanilla chai latte. (ouch!)

Loving: My FitBit tracks my steps. It makes me take the stairs rather than the elevator.
Not Loving: It’s not accurate on the treadmill and does not record steps while on the bike.

Loving: The days are getting longer. When I leave work to run, it’s still light (for about 15 min.)
Not Loving: The cold weather has just arrived and will be around for awhile.

Loving: Downton Abbey is back on TV.
Not Loving: This is its last season.

Loving: It’s so easy to shop online and find what you what cheaper.
Not Loving: It’s too easy and you may buy what you don’t need.

my current Nikes in a new color – $20 less & no tax or shipping – had to buy, right?

Loving: When you are dragging at work around 4 pm, the cold crisp air (while running) certainly wakes you up.
Not Loving: My hands almost froze off. How can I keep them warm?

Happy Running! What are you Loving or Not Loving today?