January 26, 2016 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Oldies but Goodies

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

race_697_photo_14832070

This week’s topic is Running oldies but goodies. Gear you’d buy all over again.

I haven’t been running for that long – only seriously since 2010 but here’s my list (Sorry if you have heard it all before):

My Garmin 205 Watch

I bought it in 2011 right before my first half marathon. Back then 305/205 was the norm and now runners look and laugh at its size. I still love it because it shows everything I want on ONE screen. I don’t have to hit any buttons. I’ll be sad when it kicks the bucket.

bazu-7540403

My SpiBelt

After breaking my ankle and not having my phone on me, I vowed to always carry it, no matter what. That’s where my SpiBelt comes in handy. It fits my phone, even my new iphone 6s. And for races, no more trying to get your bib pinned on straight. It has hangers to attach my bib to it.

no belt

better, right?

Compression Socks

I wore my first pair for my first half in 2011 and I haven’t looked back since. I think they have helped my legs recover better but I don’t want to not wear them to find out.

stock3

I have since switched to compression sleeves when it is warm & humid to combat the blister issue.

Eau Palm Beach Half

Champion Brand jackets & tights & more…

I don’t like to spend a lot on running gear unless I have to. These you can buy at Target and they have served me well.

I have this jacket in 3 colors – cheap, comfortable & warm enough. Same with their tights.

HMRRC 7K

Polar Cap 2015

Happy Running! What running items would you buy all over again?

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?

December 25, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Christmas Gifts

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, the theme is FREE so I am choosing – My FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

I got this card in the mail 5 years ago from a blogger and I am re-posting:

This about sums it up for me. What about you?

2. I got these SkirtSports pants and capris (and I’ve already worn them)

both are from SkirtSports

3. I got a hanger for my race medals (and as with most of my gifts, I ordered them myself so of course, I love them.)

It looked like this on the website. I’ll post a pic when I actually put mine up.

4. Movie Tickets. I love going to the movies especially when I am on break.

this one is on my “to see” list – already saw Suffragette, Star Wars & Brooklyn

5. Time off from work.

This is the best gift – 11 days off – Woo Hoo! – Running at any time of day!!!!

70 degrees on my first day off – the warm temps won’t last

Last year, we ran together during my break. I work and Judy does not so it makes it hard to schedule runs together

Happy Running! What was your favorite gift this year?

November 24, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Runner’s Gift List

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Runner’s Gift List

Here are my recommendations:

a Watch

Forerunner 10

Forerunner 220

If you are a runner, you know how important it is to track your distance and pace especially during a race and training for an important race. I couldn’t survive without one. I have the Garmin 205 which is rather large and I am not sure how long it will last. I would love to have a new one, Santa!

Or maybe an Apple Watch!?

Running Shoes

Mizunos Wave Rider 19s – so pretty!!

“I have too many pairs of running shoes,” said no runner ever!

I loved my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s and now the 19s are coming out.

PR in black/blue 18s

PR in pink/white 18s

Running Skirts

I can’t believe that I ever ran in shorts. Skirts are so much more comfortable and they look so much better (especially if you don’t have a perfect body.) Those from Skirtsports are my favorite. I love their length and that they have 2 pockets. I have a few but never enough….

And now that it is getting colder, I need ones with tights…

Running Jewelry

Every girl likes bling! And how nice would a charm with a message or commemorating a race distance be…

I am wearing one that says ❤ Running

Socks

Having the right socks are almost as important as the right shoes. I love compression sock or sleeves. The only time I don’t wear compression is when is very hot or with capris. I get blisters so I heard that Feetures are a great low sock to buy. I also like Balegas.

For some inexpensive gift ideas, click here.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

Happy Running! What is on your list?

October 23, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Things I Love

This week’s theme is Things I Love

Here are my FIVE:

1.Racing

I love running but I think I run so I can race. If it weren’t for training for halfs, I would run a 5k or 10k every weekend.

2. My new iPhone

I just got the 6s. I had an iPhone5 but it didn’t have enough space and the battery didn’t last long. I love to carry my phone everywhere (especially when running) and take photos.

on the Brooklyn Bridge – no filter

3. Starbucks

I am addicted. I know they’re expensive but they taste so good and it’s so convenient for me (I work across the street.)

my latest fave with vanilla and soy milk

love the new fall cups, too

4. SkirtSports Skirts

I am going to run in skirts as long as possible. (Eventually I will have to add tights under them.) I love them. They look good and they’re comfortable.

5. Yogurt & Granola

I eat it for lunch everyday – yes, boring. This brand which is hard to find is the best.

I also love this brand:

*Honorable Mention

6. My FitBit

I hesitated for a long time. All my friends had them. But I like knowing my steps. And I love when it buzzes meaning that I have walked 10,000 steps. Hopefully, it will keep me motivated in the winter.

my rest day before my half

Happy Running! What are you loving?

October 12, 2015 by Darlene

SkirtSports Gym Girl Ultra Review and Giveaway Winner

Even if I weren’t a SkirtSports Ambassador Captain, I would say that the Gym Girl Ultra is my favorite skirt.

I have tried other brands, this one keeps coming out on top.

Here’s why:

It is practical.

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.

lots of stuff for a half marathon hidden in those pockets here.

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.

It is comfortable.

It’s long enough to cover but not too long. I am 5’4″ and it’s perfect on me (It is about 13.5″ long in the front and 14.5″ in the back.) The shorts (which are about 5″ long) 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 looks good.

What you look like matters, right? I can’t tell you how many compliments I have gotten on my GGU skirts.

You can choose a solid colored skirt

gray

green

or designs in a variety of colors.

escape print

tantrum print

safari print

exotic print

streak print

And there are so many to choose from:

As a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain, I am grateful to have the opportunity to share one of my favorite pieces of running clothes with YOU! That’s right, one of you will win your very own Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra Skirt.

AND
THE WINNER IS:

KEN W.

But if you didn’t win, you can use the code SSMFK20 to get 20% off the regular price.

Happy Running! If you won, which design would you choose?

______________

Disclosure: As a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain, I am happy to share the latest Skirt Sports products and information with you! Skirt Sports is providing a complimentary Gym Girl Ultra Skirt to one lucky reader. Also, this post contains affiliate links.

August 25, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Bras

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 Running Bras.

This is one topic, being small-busted, that I don’t have to worry about. (But it’s not that easy to find a nice bra for us either.)

I like ones that are light, breathable and have padding.

My favorite bra is from Handful:

It costs $48. I only have one and I wash it and then wear it again. I save it for races because it is so comfortable.

My second favorite is one from Skirtsports:

Everyday Active Bra

I only wear mine under a shirt

Speaking of SkirtSports, don’t forget about their

This year SkirtSports is celebrating by kicking off breast cancer awareness month early and encouraging women to learn about and support two of their great assets – their boobies! Their Virtual Boobie Run entry includes a free voucher for one of their amazing sports bras (for cups A to DD). You pay $60 and get $70 to use on their website. You can’t beat that!!

You can register HERE.

A friend of mine gave me her Lululemon bra because it was too small on her.

bitty bracer bra – I don’t think they sell it anymore but it similar to the Free to Be bra

It’s a little big on me but it’s wearable.

On training days, I just wear a cheap sports bra that I’ve bought in Walmart or Target.

Not as comfy or durable but it does the trick.

Happy Running! Do you have a favorite bra?

August 6, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Breaking All the Rules

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I am thinking…

You bloggers may hate me, but I don’t follow the rules:

Stretching.

I don’t stretch. If I am at home, I open the door and start running. Otherwise, I drive to my route, get out of the car and start running.

in my driveway and ready to go

After my run, I just hop in the shower and go to work or hop in my car and drive home or to wherever.

done and time to go home

Gadgets and Running-Related Stuff.

Besides not stretching, I don’t even own a foam roller, or a stick or KT tape.

I will use one if it will make my body look like this

Knock on wood, I haven’t needed them yet.

Chafing.

I have never experienced it. So I don’t have Body Glide and don’t use anything like that to prevent chafing.

Running Plans.

I have never really used one. That’s not to say that I don’t plan my runs. I do.

But I don’t use a formal plan which means I don’t do hill repeats, intervals, temp runs, etc.

I run several times during the week, usually 3-4 miles and do whatever I feel like. (It’s usually pretty slow with lots of walking.) If I am training for a half marathon, I try to run longer on the weekend, increasing each week’s distance by one mile until I get to 12. I also run races which tends to mess up my training.

Voila – this got me to a PR

Healthy Food.

I’ve never had a protein shake nor have I made a smoothie.

Before a race, I eat 3 packets of this:

I don’t want to look at the ingredients. I am sure they are all artificial

After a run, I love this:

oh so healthy, I know.

or something similar to this:

is there protein in this?

Electrolytes.

Just plan H2O for me. I don’t add Nuun to my water nor do I drink Gatorade. So far, water works for me.

an old pic like circa 2010. I am thinner and wearing shorts!

Solo Runner.

I usually run alone. It’s easier because I can run wherever and whenever it is convenient for me. I can run at whatever pace and distance I feel like. (I do like to run with others, though.)

getting it done at lunch

Ok, I’m not a total running loser.

I have a Garmin GPS watch. I wear it to all my races and check my paces on it.

I eat Gu as fuel whenever I run more than 4 miles.

I have lots and lots of running shoes.

my latest…still looking for THE pair…

I wear running skirts and love them.

my newest skirt from SkirtSports

I have a race belt that holds my bib and carries my phone.

I read running magazines.

but why do they always wear skimpy running shorts on the cover?

I have joined Running Groups.

I have enjoyed them. Running with others makes the time go by faster. It also motivates you to run at a faster pace.

Freihofer’s training group

I run a lot of races each year.

Last year it was 31. It may be even more this year.

finishing my last 5k

Speaking of races, I have another 5k tomorrow night.

August 7, 2015 6:30 pm Central Park, Schenectady

I’m not a fan of evening races so we’ll see how it goes. Just hoping for NO PAIN and a finish under 30 minutes. Would be extra happy with an Age Group Award!!

Happy Running! What are you thinking about? Are you a rule breaker?