August 25, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Runfessions August

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

and it’s also Friday so, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

My topic for today is: Five August Runfessions

I runfess…

I was really excited when I got a 6 month free membership to a gym back in March. I vowed to go use the machines twice a week.

Then once a week. (Even the nearby Starbucks stopped motivating me.)

Well, the thrill is gone. I have not gone once this month!!!!!!!

2. I runfess…

I took the day off from work (and did not travel to Liverpool) because I wanted to go to a friend’s funeral. And I did go but I ran before and played tennis after. I can’t let my free time be free.

on the Delmar rail Trail

3. I runfess…

I am been purging big time from my closet. I have too many things that I no longer wear. I definitely don’t need any more running clothes. I mean I only run 4x a week at most.

So why did I buy another running skirt or two?

Gym Girl Ultra (my fav) – FWC20 for 20% off at skirtsports.com

4. I runfess…

Speaking about temptation, I cannot stop eating ice cream. Every day!!! It’s my reward after a run. It’s my reward after a bad day. It’s my reward…just because.

just being patriotic

I need an intervention.

5. I runfess…

I’m already picking out my races for 2018.

But I’ve decided (for now) on quality rather than quantity. In the past I’ve run as many as 7 half marathons in a year. This year, I had planned to run 6 – 3 in the spring and 3 in the fall but (may only run 5).

I think for next year, it’ll be 4 – 2 in the spring and 2 in the fall.

Here’s the plan so far:

March:

Image result for singer island half marathon

FLA – bridges, ocean views, friend meet-ups and baseball (Mar 18)

May:

largest half in US, NYC weekend, fun fun (May 20)

Sept:

hilly but with beaches, staying at my college roommate’s new house in RI (Sept 9)

Oct:

Paris what else can I say? This will probably not happen but a girl can dream… (Oct 6)

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Do you slack off on your gym membership? What food do you have a weakness for? Do you buy too many running clothes? Any big races planned for 2018?

May 26, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Fashion

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Today’s topic is Misc. so I am choosing last week’s topic of Fashion.

I’m an adult late onset athlete.

I started playing tennis in my 40’s. I always maintained that if I didn’t pay “good,” at least I looked “good.”

I have the same philosophy when it comes to running (which I started in my 50’s.). I like to look “good.”

Here are FIVE REASONS WHY FASHION MATTERS TO ME:

1. Self Esteem.

Simply put: If I dress like a runner, I feel like a runner.

2. Practicality

I wear SkirtSports because they have pockets. I can carry my car key, my phone, fuel, etc. when I run. Plus, the pockets are hidden under the skirt.

I have tissues, Gu and car key in those pockets.

3. Motivation.

If I’m in a slump and don’t feel like running, I put on a new outfit. It’s puts zip in my step and gets me out the door.

a cold day but a new skirt!

4. Comfort.

I wear skirts because they are more comfortable to me than shorts. They cover my thighs and the shorts underneath don’t ride up.

5. Safety.

Wearing bright colors can help you be seen on a dark, rainy or foggy day/night.

So I may be partial to Skirt Sports but many other brands accomplish the same thing. (You can save 20% on Skirt Sports items with the code SPRINGCPT20).

Take my advice: Wear what makes you look good, makes you feel good and makes you want to get out there and run.

Don’t worry. My Runfessions are coming tomorrow.

Happy Running! Do you think fashion is important? Do you care about what you wear when you run?

June 7, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Race Gear – How much is too much?

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Are you a race gear hoarder or a minimalist?

Hmmm…my hubby would probably say that I am a hoarder but when I read other blogs & FB posts, I realize that many of you (and I don’t need to mention names) have many more running clothes than I do.

So yes, I have a lot of running outfits. Almost all have been bought on sale or at Target, Marshalls or with my Skirt Sports discount.

I run 4 times a week. I don’t do laundry often and I have this thing about being matchy matchy!!

: FRW – 2016

: VCM Relay – 2016

My essentials are skirts (or tights & capris with skirts), tops (tech tanks, short & long sleeved), socks (compression & not), jackets for cooler weather and baseball caps & winter hats.

: Apple Run 2015

Since I have run almost 200 races, you can imagine how many race shirts I have. I’ve made some into a blanket and given many many away but I still have quite a few (only tech ones are worn now.)

I also have many pairs of running shoes. Of course, I’ve thrown some away but I have ones that I am attached to even though I don’t race in them. Right now I race in Nike Zoom Vomeros and I have 4 pairs of those.

As far as other running gear, I am more a minimalist.

I have my original Garmin 205 watch. It works fine and I only wear it for races.

Almost there!

I don’t own any sticks or foam rollers or head lamps or any other gadgets. I don’t even own a treadmill or belong to a gym.

So I’m a clothes hoarder but minimalist with the other running stuff.

Happy Running! What about you? Do you hoard running gear?

May 3, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Where to Buy Running Gear

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Where do you buy your gear?

Since I am a Skirt Sports Ambassador, I buy my skirts online at www.skirtsports.com (Use the code SSMFK20 to get 20% off the regular price.)

skirt & top from Skirt Sports

I love a bargain so I buy the majority of my running stuff at TJ Max, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory or Target.

jacket & hat from Target

For running shoes, I buy a new pair at FleetFeet and if I like them, I buy additional pairs online (where ever it is the cheapest.)

finishline.com – 1/2 the price of Fleet Feet

I buy most of my Compression socks online from procompression.com. They have monthly sales. I have also bought some from Target and at expos.

pro compression socks

Here are some other places to check out:

shoekicker.com – just put in the name of the shoe and size and they will email you where to get the lowest price
6pm.com – they have cheaper prices and older styles that are no longer sold online.
amazon.com – same as above
Clearance on any of the name sites including Lululemon.com – click on “We made too much.”
Old Navy has good deals.
So does Kohls.

Happy Running! Where do yo buy your running gear?

March 29, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Sponsorships

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Dream sponsor? Brand ambassadorship? What’s yours?

I am already a Skirt Sports Ambassador and I am very happy with that. I love their clothes.

Celebrate Life HM
So what else do I spend a lot of money on??

Race Fees

Rock N Roll Race ambassador. That would be nice. I’ve only run one of their races but I would run more if they chose me.

welcome image

I love racing so I would accept a sponsorship from other races, as well.

Running Shoes

Yeah, I buy a lot of these. Nike, Mizuno, Brooks, anyone??

Nike: My feet love you!!!

Fuel

Gu is my fuel of choice for during my long runs and half marathons.

I also eat energy bars before and after running. My favorite brands include:

Socks

For long runs and racing, I love ProCompression.

stockafeathon13b

I also wear Balegas and Smart Wool.

Bras

Handful is my preferred bra but they discontinued the one I like.

I’d like to try the new ones but they are $50!

Other Apparel Items

And if Lululemon, or Athleta offered me a sponsorship, I’d accept.

Lululemon

Athleta

Happy Running! Who is your Dream Sponsor?

March 22, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: When To Wear Your Race Shirt

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Race shirt controversy: Wear TO the race or only AFTER the race?

AFTER!!!

They say it’s bad luck but it’s not that. First of all, most of the time I don’t get my race shirt until the day of the race. If it’s a destination race, even if I get it the day before, I have already planned my outfit. Plus I wouldn’t know whether it is comfortable to run in or not. Believe it or not, I still sometimes get cotton shirts. And many are unisex and even the small is too big.

After a big race, however, I usually can’t wait to wear my shirt.

after my Oct 2013 half while at the lake

hanging out in Sarasota after my Feb 2016 half

after my Sarasota half in March 2013

Many times, I wear them on runs after the race.

my Walkway half shirt

I also wear race shirts from a previous race at another race.

Bacon Hill Bonanza

stock3

And those cotton shirts. I give them away and use the long sleeved ones as throw aways in races.

Nope. I’ve never worn my race shirt TO a race.

Happy Running! What about you?

March 18, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Clothes

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!

My Friday Five topic is: Five Favorite Clothing Items

Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra Running Skirt

: Celebrate Life HM

: Sarasota Music Half – Feb 2016

: running at the Crossings

The Gym Girl Ultra is long enough to cover but not too long. The shorts underneath don’t ride up and the waist band is tight enough so the skirt doesn’t fall down (even with stuff in the pockets.) No chafing either. It has 2 pockets – one on each side. They are hidden under the skirt. And they are big enough to fit your phone, key, fuel, etc. Plus, if you like to listen to music on the run, there is music port that allows you to run your headphone cord from your skirt pocket. And, it looks GOOD!

2. Skirts Sports Eclipse Tank Top

: Eau Palm Beach – Dec 2015

The Eclipse tank is loose-fitting but not too loose. It is long enough so it doesn’t ride up. It is very light and breathable.

3. Pro Compression Compression Socks or Calf Sleeves

: FRW

Pro Compression socks are tight but not so tight that you can’t get them on. They protect your legs from small scratches, abrasions and nasty things like poison ivy on a trail. Compression technology has been proven to limit swelling. They allow you to wear skirts on those iffy days when you’d reluctantly wear tights or capris.

4. Nike Zoom Vomero 10 Running Shoes

These Nikes are light but they still seem supportive. They have a soft wide toe box which is what sold them to me. And the most important thing, they are comfortable for both long and short runs. My feet do not hurt when I wear them.

5. Any Brand Baseball Cap

Hats keep my unruly hair out of the way. They keep the sun off my face and keep me dry when it is raining.

Happy Running! What are you favorite clothing items for running?

March 1, 2016 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running “Uniforms”

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Running “uniforms.” If you could only wear one running outfit for the rest of the year, what would it be?

I think where I live, that would be tough. But if I could, this would be my “running uniform”:

Baseball cap – it keeps my unruly hair out of my way
Tank top – I hate to hot when I am running
Running skirt – so comfortable, look better on me than shorts, and the pockets can hold stuff
Compression sleeves or socks – help my legs recover faster, I think
Running shoes – the brand varies but now my faves are Nike Zoom Vomero 10s (in the pic below)

bazu-7532702 (1)

Unfortunately, I live in upstate New York and I can only wear my preferred outfit from June-August. That’s probably why I take two race-cations in Florida each year.

Happy Running! What would your running uniform look like?

February 27, 2016 by Darlene

Runfessions February (a day late)

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

I runfess…

I gave up coffee a few years ago. I was hoping that as a result, I would sleep better. (and that’s debatable.)

I still drink herbal tea every morning but mid morning, I started cheating. Now I can’t stop!!

I work across the street from Starbucks and from my app, I can order a coffee and it is ready before I get there. I don’t have to wait on that long line. Less than 5 minutes away from my desk.

#StarbucksAnonymous. I need you.

I runfess…

I bought a FitBit because I was sitting too much at work. I thought it would motivate me to get up and move around, And it did at the beginning.

Now I only check to see how much (or how little) I’ve slept.

The light blue is when I am awake at night. Yes, I am obviously very restless..

Does anyone really get 8 hours of sleep?

I runfess…

My drawers/closets are full. I need no more running clothes!!!

So why did I just buy another SkirtSports skirt?

It was a new print. I couldn’t help myself!

psyched for the psyched print!

The good news that I was tempted to order other things and I did not….

I runfess…

I signed up for a half marathon on March 13 and another on May 29.

Why am I thinking about another one in between?

April 24 – a different company runs this one than when I ran it in the freezing rain in 2011

May 15 – this one is new (but it maybe a double loop course which turns me off)

Someone just posted about this one:

12744456_909567269157654_1413706914027812621_n

May 14 – another new one and great cause

My Facebook friends are such enablers!!

Happy Running! What do you have to runfess?

Tuesdays on the Run: Race Shirts

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Race shirts: Faves and the ones we love to hate.

I have run over 170 races so I have gotten a lot of shirts!! Some I’ve loved and some I’ve never worn again.

I like those race shirts that are practical meaning that I will wear them after the race.

Here are some of my favorites:

Perfect 10 miler 2014

This hoodie is made of tech material and I love the color and the fit. I’ve worn it many times.

Mother’s Day bRUNCh 5k 2015

This one is also a tech shirt. I love the bright color and the design.

Adirondack Distance Run 2014

This is the only race shirt that I have gotten that is sleeveless. I wear it often in the summer.

Delmar Dash 2014

This one is v-necked, long sleeve and very comfortable. I also like the colors.

Bacon Hill Bonanza 2014

What I like about this short-sleeved shirt besides the color is that it has NO SPONSORS on the back. I have even worn it to play tennis.

Last Run 2010.

This race used to give windbreakers every year. So I also have one in orange, blue, green & yellow. They are so practical.

Walkway Half Marathon 2015

I like this shirt because it is very light and made out of all natural materials.

Freihofer’s Run for Women 2012

I love the purple color and the material of this shirt. I have another in green but they have since change the style and material.

Great Pumpkin Challenge 2014

This is a great shirt for the fall. I have it in black and yellow, as well.

And which race shirts do I hate?

Well, any one that is unisex. They do not fit. The sleeves are too long and they are too big even in a size small.

And any shirt that is 100% cotton.

Most of the shirts that I do not like have been made into a Repat quilt or given to my running buddy. Sometimes I do wear them to sleep in or clean or garden.