January 21, 2016 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Winter, Shoes, Photos and more

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

Here’s what I am thinking about today:

How cold is too cold?

I pride myself is not being a wuss. If it’s cold, I run outside. It’s basically because I hate the treadmill and I’ve never had a good run on it.

So I check the weather and keep my fingers crossed that it is warmer as the day goes on and that the wind dies down when it gets dark.

So far, I”ve been able to run outside almost all the time. But then again, we have not gotten any snow..yet!

When it is raining or icy, I draw the line. I won’t run in it!!

What conditions force you to skip a run or stay indoors?

New shoes.

I haven’t bought a pair since September. So I needed a new pair. Not really, since I alternate my shoes and have quite a few pairs.

But won’t I run better in my half marathon in a few weeks in a new pair of running shoes?

Besides, they were a good deal!

How often do yo buy running shoes?

Packing for a trip

I started packing for my trip to Florida. I mean, I gathered together everything I need for my race. That’s the most important, right?

I”ll probably have to throw in a pair or shorts, capris and bathing suit. I’m not worried about those items.

Running Photos should be FREE!

I hate to pay for photos. Every now and then, they are free and I think that’s great.

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

free!

Unfortunately some of my best photos are not.

not free

Do you buy your race photos?

I have splurged and bought the photo for an important race.

Happy Running! What are your thoughts today?

January 14, 2016 by Darlene

My Favorite Instagram Posts of 2015 & TOLT

I love Instagram. (If you don’t yet, please follow me @dsc59)

So I took Amanda (from Run to the Finish)’s idea and am sharing my favorite Instagram photos of 2015-

January

jan

This is from my half marathon in Florida where I surprisingly had a PR and AG award. I love it because I may never be that fast again and winning an award in a half is tough.

February

feb

It’s challenging using the timer on my iphone so I just propped it against the fence on the ground and only got my feet (They’re the most important part, right?)

March

mar

I was sad that my flight to Palm Springs got cancelled and I missed running a race with my friend. But running on this trail made up for it. I loved it there!!

April

april

We had a long winter in the NE so I was happy to be running without a jacket and wearing my SportSkirts running skirt. Being selected as an Ambassador Captain for this company is one of the highlights of my year!

May

may

This is my favorite race and the only race that I’ve run every year (even after ankle surgery in 2012.) As you can tell, it’s all women – all ages, all paces – so empowering.

June

jun

Ice cream is my favorite food. To be able to have a root beer float after a hot sweaty run = priceless (especially with the cows as my witnesses.)

July

july

I met Judy through Facebook and although she thinks she is too slow for me, she has gotten me through many a long run. I like this pic because my car is in it and that guy in red running behind us.

August

aug

The Crossings is one of my favorite places to run after work in the summer. And also I think this picture makes me look fast. Ha Ha!

September

sept

This was at the end of a long run while training for my October half marathon. I asked Judy (my photographer) to wait so it would look like I chicked those guys. LOL.

October

oct

This was taken after my painful RNR Brooklyn Half Marathon. I turned around and saw someone whom I had taught when I was a high school French teacher many moons ago. What a treat!

November

nov

While picking up my bib for the Stockade-athon 15k race, I met Frank Shorter. He signed my bib and I swear that he brought me luck since I did PR at the race the next day.

December

dec

We were very lucky to have a pretty mild December. This was taken on one of my favorite new places to run – a rail trail that was recently paved. It’s beautiful (especially the bridges). If only you weren’t running uphill on the way back.

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

So how do you take pictures to post on Instagram? How do you prop up your phone??? (BTW: I hate selfies. Too old to have a camera that close to my face!!)

Happy Running! Are you on Instagram? If so, let me know & I’ll follow you.

December 29, 2015 by Darlene

TOTR: 2015 in Pictures & My Bling

2015 was such a good year that I am still sharing my memories.

I promise this is my last 2015 Running Year Summary post!! This one is photos organized by the month.

January: PR & AG award at the West Palm Half

February: Running with a friend & an AG award at the Polar Cap 4 miler

March: DNS in a 5k but making up for it on the trails of Palm Desert

April: despite foot issues finishing a half marathon on the boardwalk of Asbury Park, NJ

May: met Deena Kastor and in VT, ran my first marathon relay

June: took a running tour of the mile high city (Denver)

July: lots of running, sweating & ice cream sodas

August: running in scenic places like along Lake George & the Schroon River

September: long runs in training for 2 fall half marathons

October: post-race run in Central Park, NYC

November: a busy Thanksgiving Day – a 10k followed by a 5k

December: champagne to celebrate finishing half #16 (my toughest to date)

and soon I’ll be collecting photos of my running in 2016…

I am linking up with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life .

This Tuesday’s topic is BLING.

Here are pics of my favorite medals for the year:

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Happy Running! What is your fondest memory of 2015?

October 30, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fave Fall Pics

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 FREE FRIDAY

So I’ll post FIVE of my favorite Fall photos since soon the leaves will be gone:

Washington park

Mohawk Towpath Byway (where the duathlon started)

Black Mountain Point on Lake George

Hudson Valley Rail Trail

Delmar-Albany Rail Trail

Happy Running! How are the fall colors where you live?

December 23, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Show Us Your Year In Pictures

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: Show Us Your Year In Pictures

January:

10 mile race with a friend in Palm Springs CA

February:

4 mile race in Lake George with blogger AJH

March:

5k race while visiting friends in St. Augustine, FL

a wet half marathon with new friends in Philly

April:

1st in my age group (and winning a pie) at a new 5k

May:

tennis vacation in Naples, FL

1st in my age group again at a 5k on Mother;’s Day

June:

day in Staten Island

finally running a bucket list 10 miler

July:

Jimmy Buffet concert

my 9th half marathon

August:

a scenic but tough 10K with a new FB friend

many warm weekends on our boat on Lake George

September:

Running in Central Park, NYC

finally a 5K PR

October:

college reunion in NYC

Perfect 10 Miler in NJ & a PR

November:

PR at a 15K

10K PR at a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

December:

a rainy 5k race through the lights in the park

a day in NYC with friends

Happy Running! What are some highlights of your year?

October 31, 2014 by Darlene

Five Foto Friday x3

I decided to bring back Foto Friday because I want to share just SOME of the statues that I saw last weekend in Trenton, NJ at Grounds for Sculpture. Seward Johnson is the sculptor of most of them and bases many of his works on French Impressionist paintings. (My favorite as a former French teacher.)

: Confrontational Vulnerability (based on Manet’s Olympia)

: joining this man reading

: Sailing the Seine (based on Manet’s Argenteuil)

: Were You Invited? (based on Renoir’s The Luncheon of the Boating Party)

: Forever Marilyn – I saw her when I was in Palm Springs last year

: my friends Andrea and her husband Steve at a lakeside table

: Return Visit (Lincoln)

: Unconditional Surrender

: If it were time (based on Monet’s Terrace at Sainte-Adresse)

: Dejeuner Deja Vu (based on Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe)

: there were many peacocks around

: the Nature of Obsession (based on Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring)

: God Bless America (based on Grant Wood’s American Gothic)

: Daydream (based on Matisse’s Dance)

: Crossing Paths (me feeling small)

Happy Halloween!

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’s theme is Halloween, of course!

Happy Running! Have a nice weekend! Believe it or not, I do not have a race! Do you?