May 27, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run (a day late) – Compression Gear- Love it or Leave it?

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: Compression Gear – Love it or leave it?

When I first started running, I didn’t know what compression gear was.

I bought my first pair of compression socks for my first half marathon because I heard that they would help.

I don’t know if they helped but I finished and feel good after. So who knows?

After that, I wore that same pair on long runs and for half marathons.

In 2012 after coming back from ankle surgery, I bought more pairs of compression socks and started to wear them for most of my races.

Now, I am addicted and wear them almost all of the time.

: Asbury Park Half Marathon

: 3rd

: FRW

So as you can see I wear them A LOT and I have quite a few pairs – I buy whatever is on sale.

Recently, I have worn compression sleeves to see if I can prevent those nasty blisters. (Didn’t make a difference.)

So why should you wear them?

Protection: They protect your legs from small scratches, abrasions and nasty things like poison ivy on a trail.
Swelling: Compression technology has been proven to limit swelling.
Dirt: Collects on your socks and not on your legs.
Warmth: Allows you to wear skirts on those iffy days when you’d reluctantly wear tights.
Coolness: No, they don’t keep you cool, but they look good when you color coordinate them with your outfit.

Happy Running? How do you feel about compression gear? What and when do you wear it

May 4, 2015 by Darlene

Mother’s Day Giveaway

As a SkirtSports Ambassador, I am happy to offer my readers this amazing giveaway:

A BASIC LEVEL entry to the Skirt 13er/10k/5K Local or Virtual!

The beauty with all Skirt Sports races, the registrant not only receives their race packet including Finisher’s Skirt (or bra or top depending on race), race #, and sponsor swag but ALSO a gift certificate to spend right away on the Skirt Sports website, in the boutique or at an expo attended by Skirt!

The runner can run the 13er, 10k, or 5k and can use this entry for the local race on June 14th or run it virtually on the same day.

So here are the details for this giveaway:

Basic Entry ($85) which includes:
$50 gift certificate
Race #
Finisher’s Skirt (Don’t Sweat It Collection pull over skirt)

Sponsor swag

Click HERE to enter!

The giveaway ends at midnight on May 10, 2015.

Good luck!

Happy Running!

May 1, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Race Day

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, the theme is Race Day.

If you are a runner, who doesn’t love “race day.”

Here are 5 important things in my race day:

1. Have a good breakfast

For me, it’s oatmeal or cream of wheat with flax or raisins added in.

2. Get dressed in a cute but comfortable outfit.

IMG_4762-0

Yes, I am matchy matchy but I try to wear clothes that I’ve worn before so I know they will be comfortable.

3. Bring all the extra stuff you need

Fuel for before and during.

My Garmin, my iPhone, my RoadID, my belt for attaching my bib…

Change of clothes for after.

4.Get to the race early.

So you can find parking, get your race packet, use the restrooms and meet up with friends. And then relax (Is that possible?)

5.Cross that finish line and smile.

Be proud of your accomplishment even if it wasn’t a PR. You finished a race!!

Happy Running! What important things go on on your race day?

April 28, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Warm Weather Gear

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: Favorite Warm Weather Gear

Skirts, of course. You stay cooler in them than capris or shorts and they just look good.

Especially SkirtSports skirts!

Tank tops or tech tee shirts

lighthouse 5k mother-147

Baseball caps – they keep the hair off my neck and the sun off my face

biggest-loser-5k

Cool Max socks – I am blister prone so this is important for me.

Sunglasses – I wear contacts so my eyes are really sensitive. I wear sunglasses all the time (even if it is not sunny) except when it is dark out.

sshm2

Nathan Hand-held water bottle – I don’t usually carry water (I just loop my runs) but when I do, I love this.

Happy Running? Why do you like to wear in the warmer weather?

April 17, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Brands to Love

This week, the theme is Brands to Love

Here are the 5 Brands that I Love:

1. Mizuno for shoes

Running shoe brands…I’ve tried them all and at one time or another have loved them. Currently I love Mizuno.

2. RunningSkirts and SkirtSports for skirts

my latest RunningSkirts skirt

another one

I only run in skirts and wear quite a few different brands… I usually buy what’s on sale. If I had a choice, I would buy them from Runningskirts and SkirtSports. I love the length of their skirts and the 2 pockets.

my newest SkirtSports capris

and SkirtSports skirt

3. ProCompression for socks

Stockadeathon - November

My ankles love compression socks. I also wear different brands but ProCompression has lots of colors and they are often on sale. (Yes, price does matter.) And they are tight enough to work but not impossible to put on.

Stockadeathon

4. Champion for running clothes

Thank you Target for carrying this brand. I have their hats, socks, jackets, shirts, skirts, tights…. You can’t beat them for the price.

love this jacket, hat, skirt and tights – all Champion

love this tank, skirt and hat

5. GU for fuel

Fuel is as important as clothes in running a race. GU has gotten me through all my long runs and long races. It gives me energy. They have a variety of flavors and some without caffeine. They don’t upset my stomach.

my favorite flavors

Happy Running! What brands do you love??

April 4, 2015 by Darlene

I am a New SkirtSports Ambassador

It’s no secret that I love running in skirts. That wasn’t always the case.

Freihofer's Run for Women 2009

When I first stared running, I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I would run in shorts.

As I ran more, I started reading, books, blogs and random FB posts all about running. I started seeing more and more women running in skirts. They all looked damn cute too!

Yes, I’ve bought skirts in Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Walmart and Target. Who doesn’t love a bargain?

Rabbit Ramble - April

But you get what you pay for. Skirts like those from SkirtSports are well made, have 2 functional pockets and are true to size.

So I decided to apply to be a SkirtSports Ambassador.

If you haven’t heard about this program, read below:

In 2013, Noelle started this program with a small social media call out, received maybe 40 applications and launched with 20 Ambassadors. In 2014 it grew adding 10 more to the family and now in 2015 the program has skyrocketed! They had over 400 applications in two days and had to close things down so we could give all the women who applied enough special attention. They expanded their original plans and are welcoming over 150 new ambassadors to their inner community!

I am so excited to be chosen as one of the 150 new ambassadors!!

In fact, I am an Ambassador Captain!

This is what ambassadors captains do:

Skirt Sports Ambassador Captains will play a leadership role in the community of Skirt and in how they share our collective voice of Real Women, Real Bodies and Real Inspiration. They are Skirt lovers, networkers, bloggers, videographers, athletes. They innately share Skirt Sports Core Values and Mission and enthusiastically represent the brand.

I only had 3 SkirtSports skirts but since I was named Ambassador I ordered more.

lr2

I haven’t worn my grey one yet but I know these skirts will look a lot better when it is warm and I can wear them without tights.

My new purchases:

can’t wait to wear this one

I got it in grey to match my grey skirt

Next year, I hope to purchase some more skirts with capris and tights attached for our long winter running season.

isn’t this cool?

I only run in skirts so there will be a lot pictures and blog entries about me in my new SkirtSports skirts.

her’s the first one!!

In addition to cute skirts, SkirtSports sponsors races.

If you are lucky enough to live close enough to do one of their actual races, I may be a little jealous. However, for those of us who can’t be there in person, we can still run together, virtually. Here is the link to the virtual races they have coming up.

If you want to buy any SkirtSports item or participate in any of the Virtual races, please use this code SSMFK20 to get 20% off the regular price.

Happy Running! Do you wear any SkirtSports products?

March 17, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Rituals for Races

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: Rituals for Races

I’m not really superstitious so I have no lucky charms but below are my must-do and must-haves on race day:

Breakfast

I always have oatmeal–2 or 3 packages with almond milk. I try to eat 2 hours before the race.

Fuel

I always eat one packet of Gu before the race and one after for each 4 miles of running and only drink plain water.

Running Skirt and Compression Socks

10850299_900162136661683_7867448503968640806_n

race_697_photo_14838692

Apple Run - October

No matter what the season or weather, I wear a skirt. They are the most comfortable for me. And because I still worry about my ankle, I wear compression knee socks.

My Garmin

It’s big and clunky but it tells me distance, time, pace…everything I need to know on one screen during a race.

My Road ID

Half in Naples, Florida

I got it for my first Half Marathon (in case I was found passed out on the side of the road) and have worn it every since. Once I lost it so I bought another and then found the first one. So now I have 2 pink ones (one velcro, one rubber).

race_697_photo_14832070

My iPhone

iphonerun

I carry my phone everywhere. I got burned once and I will never run without it. I also use my phone to take pictures instead of a camera.

Race Belt

stock15k

I have two different ones. I don’t like to put pins in my shirts so I attach my bib to the belt. It also allows me to carry a phone.

a Hat

You’ll never see me run without one. A wool or fleece hat in the winter and a baseball cap the rest of the year. I don’t like headbands and hats keep my hair out of the way.

Run for the Roc - September

Happy Running! Do you have any lucky charms or race day rituals?

February 11, 2015 by Darlene

What I am Loving…

80-Year-Old Woman Sets A Half Marathon Record!! What’s even more impressive about Garrett’s half marathon times is that they keep getting faster—an unusual trend for runners her age.

Oh yeah!! Hopefully, that will be ME!

I have the skirt…

Runners World 5K

And this video #likeagirl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

I went to school pre-Title IX. When I was in high school, the boys played sports and the girls were cheerleaders. I wasn’t popular or coordinated enough to be a cheerleader. I was a nerd. I was in National Honor Society and Key club and we sold hot chocolate at the football games.

I didn’t attempt a sport until my 40’s when I learned to play tennis. I was on a team and we competed at the national level. That finally gave me some confidence.

2002 – I’m the one on the right

In my 50’s, my tennis friends convinced me to try running. Well, I haven’t looked back. Running is the sport for me!!

I am “running like a girl” and beating 2 guys!

Serial podcast – It’s my new treadmill distraction. The story is addictive.

Sales. Who doesn’t love a bargain? I got a jacket at Target for $8 (clearance & cartwell app), a skirt at Burlington Coat factory for $5(sale) and a tank at Penny’s for $2 (sale & coupon), running shoes from Amazon for $10 (had a gift card).

this jacket in white

tank

Happy Running! What are you loving today?

(Don’t forget to enter my Runner’s Choice giveaway HERE.)

February 8, 2015 by Darlene

My Project Repat Blanket is done!

Last month, I posted here about my excitement after ordering a blanket made from my old race shirts from Project Repat.

The first step is choosing the size blanket you wish them to make, and then picking out your shirts. I choose to have a twin blanket made and that meant picking out 24 shirts.

The hardest part of having this blanket made is choosing the shirts.

Because I had so many… close to 100. I don’t run in them but do wear some to bed or to hang out in. But most of them, just sit in a drawer (or two).

The majority of these shirts are from my beginning running days of 2008 -2010. In those days, you got cotton shirts at every race. Since then, many or most races are giving out tech shirts and if they a gender-specific and fit, I wear them to run. Also, for the past year, I have been sending all my shirts to JA my running buddy.

That being said, I surely had enough shirts for the twin blanket.

Most of the shirts that I chose were cotton but some were tech fabric shirts and when they put them together, you really don’t notice the difference in materials.

The website has a short video to help you with the cutting process.

Even though I don’t wear these shirts, I was a little emotional cutting them up. But as I did, I was remembering each race that the shirt represented.

There was one from my first 5k ever…

2008

one from a 5K walk that I did at a conference years before I thought about running…

one from one of my favorite 5ks…

one that I especially liked…

I also included the shirt from my most recent half marathon.

The next step is optional. You can decide where each shirt should be placed on the blanket and send them a photo. I chose to let let them choose the locations and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

The last step is to mail your shirts. I squeezed them into a small box and it didn’t cost much to mail at all. (But I live in NY and Project Repat is in Mass.)

As soon as they receive your box, you will get an email verifying receipt.

Then you just wait.

I only took less two weeks.

When I opened the package yesterday, I was so excited with the finished project.

Be sure to check out the Project Repat website and consider one of these blankets for your old race shirts. It is a great way to remember your races.

Happy Running! Have you had your shirts made into a blanket yet? If not, what do you do with your race shirts?

(Don’t forget to enter my Runner’s Choice giveaway HERE.)

______________________

Disclosure: I was given a discount for my Project Repat blanket. There was no compensation for this post and the opinions stated here are my own.

January 23, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Things About Me

This week, the theme is Five Things

1. I am not athletic or coordinated at all. I never played a sport growing up but in my 40s, many years before I ever thought of running, I started playing tennis. And like I am with running now, I was obsessed. I played everyday. I took lessons and played on several teams. I still play but it has definitely taken a backseat to running.

in 2002

in 2010

2014

2. My favorite foods are pizza and ice cream. I have no self-control when it comes to these foods. (In other words, I stop eating them when there is no more left.)

Soft Serve Ice Cream (esp. coffee) with sprinkles

3. I was a French major in college, spent my junior year in the south of France and was a French teacher for over 20 years. I still love everything French. I have seen Les Miz at least 12 times. (My dream to run a race in France.)

I love French desserts (and art, movies, etc.)

4. My birthday is the same day as Billy Joel‘s (May 9). I have seen him in concert many times. We are also both from Long Island. (He actually was part of a band that played at my friend’s sweet 16 party.)

billyjoel

5. My clothes (almost) always match. Neurotic? I used to say about tennis: “If I don’t play good, at least I’ll look good.” Beauty before fitness?