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 21, 2014 by Darlene

Rest day on the island

The island I am talking about is “Staten Island.”

It’s no secret that I love New York City.

So I decided to take the day off from work & take the MegaBus to the city with my friends Eileen, Mary Pat & their sister Susan.

Eileen & I had visited Staten Island last year during the winter and wanted to visit again in the warmer weather. MaryPat & Susan had never been.

The day started out pretty grey but we kept our fingers crossed that it would not rain.

So we hopped the subway (I am getting to be a pro at this) to the ferry.

Eileen, Mary Pat & Susan on the ferry

view of Lady Liberty

NYC skyline with the new WTC tower

When we arrived in Staten Island, we decided to buy sandwiches to eat at the gardens. Then we took the bus to Snug Harbor (this time I knew to use your metro card rather than quarters.)

at the entrance

We ate in the park in front of a fountain and then walked around the botanical gardens.

I have been to several other botanical gardens – NY, Montreal so maybe I am spoiled but these were not that impressive – needed a lot of weeding.

poppies are one of favs

Next we wandered around the Chinese Scholar garden (that I had been to previously.) That was lovely.

At this point, it started to rain lightly. So we got back on the bus to the ferry and took another bus in the opposite direction. I wanted to visit the Alice Austin cottage. The rain stopped by the time we got there.

Alice Austin was a very prolific and talented woman photographer.

photo of Lake George

photo of a bunch of tennis players

We looked at her prints & watched a video on her life…an amazing lady.

view from her house

Soon it was time to catch the bus boat to the ferry and head back to Manhattan.

The best value in NYC – free ferry ride.

When we arrived back on land, the sky had cleared and the sun came out. Unfortunately it was too late to do much but have dinner.

one of my favorite buildings (Flatiron) – restuarant is on the right

So we hopped the subway and then walked to Eataly. (Someone recommended checking this out.)

Wow. It was overwhelming – lots of indoor shops selling Italian foods and ingredients as well as restaurants specializing in different kinds of Italian foods. We choose the pizza and pasta restaurant. And it was delicious.

ravioli with asparagus

Afterwards, I really really wanted to buy some Italian pastries but the lines were too long.

We walked back to Penn Station and arrived just in time to catch our train.

A long day but not long enough.

I always leave the NYC wanting more and planning my next trip.

Happy Running! What is your favorite city to visit?

June 16, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

update Last Week:

Monday – ~~8.5 miles~~ rained out (off in the am), proctor LSATS
Tuesday -walk at work, ~~rest~~, 5 mile run

Wednesday – a walk at work, 3 mile run, yoga

run, then yoga then .5 miles more

Thursday – walk at work, 3 2 mile run during lunch, hair appt

on the track

Friday – walk at work, rest, mah jongg

Saturday – 5k + 6.7 miles, dinner party at work

course was short but 1st in my AG

farewell to profs leaving

Sunday – rest, boating

Lake George

This Week:

Monday – 4 miles
Tuesday -tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles, yoga
Thursday – rest, day in NYC
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, spectate a 5K
Sunday – 10m race, boating

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

January 23, 2014 by Darlene

My Bucket List Runs

Yup, I hope to run in New York City!!

Thanks to Competitor Magazine, here are 5 routes that are recommended:

1. Central Park

Best for…escaping the city streets

Located literally in the middle of Manhattan, Central Park is a mecca for runners, cyclists and walkers alike. You could do a short, 1.58-mile run on the packed-dirt reservoir, complete the longer, hillier 6-mile paved loop around the park or try anything in between. Either way, you’ll get some great city views and a nice dose of nature. For the Brooklyn equivalent, head to Prospect Park, which has a 3.3-mile inner loop.

Tourist Tip: New York Road Runners hosts races here often. Visit nyrr.org to see if there are any events happening during your visit that you might want to join in on.Warning: In a city with 8.2 million residents, the races often fill up quickly!

2. Brooklyn Bridge

Best for…seeing the NYC skyline

Take the R line on the subway to Court Street– Borough Hall in Brooklyn Heights, and run down the Promenade, a short stretch of sidewalk sandwiched between the East River and a row of beautiful brownstones, which provides breathtaking city views. Continue going north along the newly extended Brooklyn Bridge Park, and then backtrack to run up and over the Brooklyn Bridge, which takes you into lower Manhattan for 3-ish miles in total. Completed in 1883, it is one of the oldest (and most photographed) suspension bridges in the U.S. Hop back on the subway (at one of the City Hall stops) to get back to your hotel.

Tourist Tip: Go early to avoid busy foot traffic.

3. Hudson River Park

Best for…logging flat, fast miles

Head as far west on 59th Street as possible, and then cruise about 5 miles south along the Hudson River Path, down to Battery Park City. You’ll pass Chelsea Piers, multiple dog parks, plenty of green space, and you’ll even see the Statue of Liberty. Bonus: This bike- and runner-friendly path has multiple restrooms and water fountains for you to use en route. Circle around the tip of Manhattan and then continue up the east side until you reach South Street Seaport.

Tourist Tip: If you need to refuel, stop at the amazing indoor smorgasbord Chelsea Market (chelseamarket.com) for a cookie from Fat Witch Bakery, or a donut from Doughnuttery, or…you get the idea.

4. The 59th Street Bridge

Best for…getting a taste of the New York City Marathon

You may not experience the full trampoline effect that comes with sharing the bridge with thousands of other runners on race day, but there’s still something exhilarating about crossing the East River on this giant structure. Cut straight across the bridge, step foot in Queens and then head back up the incline to your starting point for a total of 2.8 miles.

Tourist Tip: If you’re looking for a true race sampler, turn up First Avenue after you exit the bridge in the city, run about a mile north, and then cut left, toward Central Park.

5. Broadway

Best for…early morning sightseeing

Before everyone else rises and the chaos begins, head downtown to City Hall on the subway, and then run north on Broadway through the heart of the city. You’ll meander past City Hall, Soho, the Flat Iron building, the Garment District, Macy’s, Times Square, Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center, all in less than 5 miles.

Tourist Tip: Be out the door before 7 a.m. and finish your jaunt with bagels and lox at Barney Greengrass, one block over, on Amsterdam, between 86th an 87th Street (barneygreengrass.com).

Riverside Park

Interestingly, this list doesn’t include Riverside Park, a route that I heard was awesome and that I planned to maybe race on.

Riverside Park is Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park, stretching four miles from 72nd to 158th Streets along the Hudson River. Since 1875, the landscapes of Frederick Law Olmsted have offered escape from the city and opportunities for people of all incomes to relax, play and socialize in tranquil settings. His design for Riverside Drive made it is one of the most beautiful boulevards in the world, affording views of the Hudson River along its serpentine route.

At the 135th Street, if you want to do another 1.4 miles, go up to 139th Street and enter Riverbank State Park (the only State park in Manhattan, complete with pool, ball fields, skating rink, basketball and handball courts, a concert stage, a carousel, picnic areas, even park rangers.) If you go down the stairs on the northeast corner of the complex, which bring you to a whole new section of Riverside Park, where you can run (mostly) along the river all the way to the Little Red Lighthouse underneath the George Washington Bridge at 180th Street, a bit more than 3 miles north of Columbia.

Happy Running! Have you ever run in NYC?

January 10, 2014 by Darlene

Foto Friday

I am currently in Palm Springs, CA where the weather does not resemble the photos that I took last weekend:

I love NYC during the holidays!!

I don’t love running in the ice and snow but I do enjoy looking at it while I am running.

Happy Running! Have a nice weekend! What are your running plans?

January 6, 2014 by Darlene

Weekly Running Update

Last Week: (Off from work ALL WEEK!)

Monday –~~rest,~~ 3 miles, tennis

in town and around the golf course

Tuesday – 4 3 miles (tennis cancelled), New Year’s Eve dinner out
Wednesday – ~~rest,~~ 3 miles, cruise on Lake George, (yoga cancelled)

in the neighborhood

on Lake George

Thursday – ~~4 miles~~ rest – too cold and snowy

we got about a foot but the temps were sub-zero

Friday – 3 miles on the treadmill at work, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, bus trip to NYC with the hubby for the Boat Show, lots of walking miles in NYC

Sunday – 8 slow slippery miles

on the Corning Bike Path – just did it slow as to not fall.

This Week: (Back to work 😦 )

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 3 miles on TM at lunch, tennis
Wednesday – rest, fly to Palm Springs
Thursday – 3 miles?
Friday – rest
Saturday – 10 mile race!!
Sunday – rest
Monday – rest, fly home

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races to start off the new year?

December 31, 2013 by Darlene

December Rundown

DECEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! YES! At least 3x week!

in the park

in town

in the neighborhood

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!

ate lots of cookies

and desserts

Start knitting again (socks or something else)

working on a pair of socks

Run before work at least once a week. Not often! Too cold!

would you run?

Run a new route. Yes, sorta. I haven’t run this route in 3 years.

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!

Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler) YES!

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.

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

I also visited NYC with 2 friends.

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

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

tennis friend Suzy’s b-day

former co-worker Cheryl’s b-day

college friend Judy’s b-day

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?

December 22, 2013 by Darlene

14 in 2014

I had no problems running 13 in 2013. In fact. I ran 22 races even though I was out with a broken foot for 2 months.

I even ran 12 in 2012 when I was out for 5 months with a broken ankle and then 2 months with a stress fracture.

So of course, I am committing for 14 in 2014! I usually run at least 20 races (barring injury.)

I would like this year to run 14 NEW races.

Here are the races that I am thinking about:

1. Mayors Race & Wellness Festival 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA

2. Lighthouse 5k in St. Augustine, FL

3. LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

March 30, 2014

4. Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

5. Spring Run Off 5 K or 10k in Albany, NY

May 3, 2014

6. Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

7. Adirondack Distance 10 m in Lake George, NY

June 22, 2014

8. CARE FOR KIDS 5K Run in Chestertown, NY

August 30, 2014

9. Flashlight 5K in Lake George, NY

September 21, 2014

10. Race the Train (8.4 mi) in North Creek, NY – if it is held

August 4, 2014??

11. Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K or 10K in Saratoga, NY

October 18, 2014

12. Troy Turkey Trot 5k or 10k in Troy, NY

November 27, 2014

13. a fall half marathon (Palio in Sartagoa, NY, Smuttynose in Hampton, NH, Seacoast in Portsmouth, NH, Hartford in CT, Diva on LI, NY??????)

October 5, 2014

14. a race in NYC (Melissa Fund Sun Run 5k??)

May 18, 2014 – date change

All 14 may not happen but I know that I will run 14 races where most of them will be new.

If you interested in this challenge, click here for more details.

Happy Running? Did you participate in the 13 in 2013 Challenge? Are you going to do the 14 in 2014? Do you run new races each year?

December 9, 2013 by Darlene

RWStreak Update

Last Week:

Monday – 3 miles ~~before work~~ on the TM at work, tennis after
Tuesday – 3 4 miles after work

ran around the lights in Washington Park

Wednesday – trip to NYC, miles and 9.5 miles of walking (no running but I was going to count it in the Streak 🙂 )

fun in the city

Thursday – 3 4 miles after work

couldn’t resist going back to the park – didn’t take pics this time (colder, windier, rainy)

Friday – rest, 1 mile on the TM (rain), mah jongg
Saturday –proctor exam, 8 miles on the bike trail

8 cold windy miles on tired legs

Sunday – rest, THE STREAK HAS ENDED, movie & dinner out to celebrate my mentee’s b-day

I decided to end the Streak after 10 days. I was just running to get it done. On my rest days, I was only running 1 mile and it took longer to get dressed and undressed. After Saturday’s pathetic long run (with more walking than running), I decided that I do need my rest. My runs are suffering. My legs are tired when I run EVERYDAY. I think I prefer quality not quantity. So I am returning to running only 2-3 times each week plus a longer run on the weekend.

This Week:

Monday – 3 miles after work, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles before work, yoga after
Thursday – 3 miles before work, haircut after
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race
Sunday – 3 mile race + more, lights in the park

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

December 6, 2013 by Darlene

Foto Friday

Tis the season…fa..la..la..la…la..la..la…la

lots of snowmen at my house

stockings for the cats cuz they love Christmas too.

our puny artificial tree…still trying to talk my hubby into a bigger real one

spending time with friends in NYC

holiday lights in Washington Park, Albany

ice menorah on the last night of Chanukah in NYC

On the running front, the weather has been balmy but that it is ending. Today it is raining and tomorrow it is supposed to snow!! Oh no! I am not ready for YakTrax. I hope I can get a long run in. (I find it impossible to run more than 3 miles on a treadmill.)

Happy Running! What are your favorite holiday decorations? Does the winter weather put a damper on your running?