August 8, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – The plan was to be on the boat Sunday night so I could run in the am and then do 2 more hikes. But the rain interfered. Instead I stayed home and had a pretty productive day. I squeezed in a sweaty run between the raindrops followed by a trip to the gym.

I also made a trip to Clothes Mentor (a consignment shop) and made some $$ from some unwanted clothes, shoes & bags. I actually cooked dinner for the hubby (chicken parm w/pasta) and then walked the mall with my BFF.

Tuesday – I went to a workshop on Gaming at a local middle school and then played tennis – no running today.

found this nice surprise on my windshield

finally a nice evening for tennis

Wednesday – Day 2 of the workshop. A lot of sitting, a lot of eating. (Made this with Voki.)Luckily in the evening, I ran with Alyssa. It was warm but not as hot as last week. Alyssa is patient with my need to walk. When I walk, she runs slow and I catch up. Unfortunately I had to quit before she finished her 7 miles due to back pain. (It’s always something.)

at the Corning bike path

Thursday -Another trip to NYC. My friend drove us so we didn’t need to deal with train schedules. We took the bus to Bryant Park where we watched the casts from Avenue Q, Holiday Inn, American in Paris & Beautiful perform. We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking the park and then walked (40 blocks) to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the Fashion Institute. (This year’s theme was Manus x Machina).

We ended the day with dessert and tea at the Neue Gallerie before driving back home – a LONG but enjoyable day. I ❤ NYC!!

Friday – Played tennis in the AM. The weather was perfect. The rest of the day was pretty unproductive.

walked to and from the courts too

Saturday – Ran a 8.4 mile race called Race The Train and raced the train is which is what we did. I didn’t beat it but had a fun time running up and down all the hills. No lie. It was a tough one.

even won my age group

Afterwards I did my last two hikes of the Chester Challenge.

Kipp Mountain

Palmer Pond Trail

Spent the rest of the day at the marina – at the beach and on our friend’s boat.

Sunday – Since I had time to kill while waiting for my hubby to arrive at the marina, I decided to go for a hike. This was my favorite so far.

This we spent the rest of the day on the lake with friends.

floating in the bay by Long Island

17 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – breakfast and day at the race track
Tuesday – 3 mile run, PM tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run with a friend
Thursday – 3 mile run, pool/tennis party
Friday – AM tennis, rest, marina party or tennis party
Saturday – 10K race + 3 miles, knitting weekend at the Schroon River House
Sunday – knitting, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

August 5, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Odd Sightings

Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home suggested that we post FIVE odd things that we have seen on our run.

Recently on my run to Brant Lake, NY, I noticed this decorated outhouse. I am not sure it was usable but it was pretty.

2. A few years back during a very slow run in Flagler Beach, Florida, I came across this turtle. Not so much odd but very appropriate considering how things were going that day

3. After one race in Delmar, NY, I continued my run with two friends on the nearby rail trail and we noticed people stopped and pointing. There were two eagles flying over head. Again not odd but so beautiful to watch.

4. I recently ran on the trail in Peebles State Park. Afterward, I ventured to Waterford, NY and discovered a new trail. There were so many geese on the path and they were not interested in moving out of my way. Not odd but very annoying.

5. I seem to have many animal sightings on the rail trail. I have seen a pack of foxes and many times it is a large doe. They are so used to humans that they don’t run away. They just stand there and stare. It’s a little unnerving.

One of my oddest sightings I do not have a picture of.

When I am up at our marina on Lake George, I love to run on the nature trail at the Sagamore Hotel.

On one side is the lake and the other, you are below some apartments. During one run a few years ago, I was running on the trail and I heard a women screaming. So I looked up and she was hanging over the balcony naked with a naked guy behind her…Well, you can guess what he was doing…. I was so embarrassed that I’ve never run so fast.

Can you beat that for an odd or X-rated sighting??

I’m also linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . 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!

Happy Running! What odd things have you seen during your runs?

August 2, 2016 by Darlene

July Recap

Wow, the summer is flying by… It’s August already.

So here’s how July went…

Weekday Runs:

Summer arrived. It was HOT and humid most days and we had very little rain. I was able to run at least 3-4 times each week. But I do not have a treadmill at home so they were all slow sweaty ones.

Because I am not working, I am able to run wherever. I am not forced to run near home or near work. So I have tried to do my runs in many different places.

: at Peebles Island

I also ran with Alyssa 3 times. I met her on FB. These were, no doubt, besides my 5k races my faster runs. I struggle when I run with her but she gets me to run faster.

13508972_1818003835089003_7257062188135281987_n

Long Runs:

There were NONE. I ran races on the weekends. There were NO double-digits runs. The longest were a 7 mile run (interrupted after 4), a 5 mile run and a 3 mile post 5k run.

Total Mileage:

july

I ran 76 miles this month – the same as last month. But I wasn’t training for anything and it was hot so I guess that’s ok.

Races:

I only ran two races this month – both 5ks (I DNSed on my 3rd 5k.)

I was generally happy with how they went. I did not have PR goals and of course, they could have been faster. I won age group awards in both. That’s an achievement.

Cross Training:

I am STILL unemployed and I am playing tennis. But not as often as in the beginning of the summer. The thrill is wearing off.

I DID NOT go to a single yoga class!! Someday I will do, I promise.

lheartspaceogo

I did workout at the gym at least three times. I know that I could go more often but it’s better than nothing.

I walk to the tennis courts when I play nearby and occasionally do go for a walk. But not as often as when I worked. I think that the tennis and the hiking (see below) make up for it, though.

Other News:

I went hiking again…by myself and loved it. Once to Thomas Mountain in Bolton Landing and then on four trails in Chestertown.

I took a trip to NYC with my two of my friends- We took a history/food tour of northern Little Italy and then a visit to the Tenement museum. What a full but exciting day!!

I also took a day trip the Mount (Edith Wharton’s home) in Lenox, Mass. The tour of the house was really interesting and the gardens were beautiful.

I spent a wonderful weekend with my tennis friends on the Schroon River. I did some running but mostly played tennis and ate.

Boating season is continuing and the weather has been great (until this weekend). I love it at the lake. It’s my “happy place.”

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Hopefully I will find a job and life will be even better.

Looking Ahead:

My next half marathon is September 18 so I must start doing some longer runs.

I do have a bunch of races coming up. This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

8-06-16 – Race the Train (8.4 m)
8-13-16 – Camp Chingachgook 10k
8-20-16 – Jailhouse Rock 5K
9-10-16 – Malta 5k
9-18-16 – Saratoga Palio Half Marathon
10-01-16 – Apple Run 5K
10-09-16 – Ramblefest Half Marathon
10-15-16 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

No monthly goals.

my motto for 2016

Happy Running! How did your July turn out? Anything exciting planned for August?

August 1, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I decided to stay on our boat Sunday night so I could spend today running and hiking. First I drove to Chestertown on the Schroon River to run a bit.

can’t beat this breakfast view

Then I began the Chester Challenge which was to hike 6 of the 11 trails.

I got through 4 of them before the rain came.

Tuesday – I worked at the NYS Bar Exam from 7 am-5 pm. Then I went to see the musical Chicago in the park with some friends.

the best show that I’ve seen in the park

Wednesday – My tennis at one of the local country clubs got cancelled. In the evening, I ran with Alyssa. 93 degrees!!! We still held a decent pace (and it would have been faster if I didn’t have to stop and walk.)

Thursday -Back at the Bar Exam. Too hot to run but I planned to the gym and for a walk with a friend. However, we ended out going out for dinner instead 😦

Friday – Last day for working at the Bar Exam. I decided to go for a run in the park before mah jongg.

Saturday – This weekend certainly didn’t go as scheduled. I had planned to go up to the lake and then sleep on the boat so I would be near the start of my Sunday 5k. Instead, my hubby wanted to go truck shopping (his has recently died) since the weather was not great. It turned out to be sunny on the lake but cloudy/rainy at home.

Sunday – I woke up to pouring rain and decided against driving 1 hour 20 minutes to run a 5k in the rain with rain predicted for the rest of the day up north. Of course as it turned out, it didn’t rain up for the race and I stayed home waiting to a break in the rain so I could run. I managed to get it done with Pokemon and doe and fawn sightings on the rail trail. I was wet – rain plus sweat from 95% humidity.

19 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday –3 mile run
Tuesday – workshop, PM tennis
Wednesday -workshop, 7 mile run with a friend
Thursday – trip to NYC
Friday – AM tennis, rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 8.4 mile race, boating?
Sunday – boating?

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

July 29, 2016 by Darlene

Five Five: Take a Hike

My Friday Five topic this week is Why I Like To Hike.

By hiking, I don’t mean climbing mountains (though maybe someday and not alone). I mean doing walking trails especially ones with a view at the end.

No Pace or Distance To Worry About

You can go slow or fast. Run or Walk. You can go as far as you want and then go back to where you started. Pretty simple.

2. It’s Great Exercise.

Your legs are going up and down. Over rocks and trees. You also use your arms to help you climb or hold onto trees. It’s a workout!

3. You Get To See Nature At Its Finest.

Trees, flowers, birds, animals. Butterflies are my favorite.

4. It’s Peaceful.

I spent quite some time on my last hike just sitting and looking out.

5. It’s FREE.

Most hiking trails are well-marked, have parking and don’t cost a thing.

There are 11 trails near Lake George. I have done 2 (the easiest ones). I would only attempt some of the others with a partner.

About 15 miles north, there are 8 more trails. I plan to do the challenge above this summer. I already hiked four last Monday

Cougar Trail

Dynamite Hill

Stewart Mountain

Chester Creek

I’m linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . 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!

Happy Running! Do you like to hike?

July 26, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Summer Runs

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

This week’s topic is Summer Scenes From My Run

In the summer, I try to run in different places. Here are few of my favorites:

Peebles Island – there’s a park with a trail and lots of bridges to run over in the surrounding area.

Zim Smith Bike Path – a nice peaceful trail plus you can park in a bakery’s parking lot.

Central Park in NYC – only ran there once unfortunately

Delmar Rail Trail – I run here the most often because it’s nearby.

Bolton Landing – I love running here in the summer especially for the views of Lake George (We keep our boat here so I only get to run here in the summer.)

The Crossings – another local park where I run.

Colonie Town Park – a park and a bike path

Corning Bike Path – nice flat route along the Hudson River

Chestertown/Brant Lake Along the Schroon River – another summer only spot (My friend has a house here and it’s not far from our boat.)

I am not really training for anything right now. My next half is on September 18. I have just been running short distances. Besides it’s hot and I am enjoying my scenery. But soon I will have to increase those weekend miles. Very soon!

Happy Running! Where is your favorite spot to run in the summertime?

July 25, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Another trip to NYC with two friends on a steamy day. We went on a history/eating tour of Nolita (Northern Little Italy). It was a lot of fun and boy was the food good. Then we took a tour of the Tenement Museum which was very interesting.

Tuesday – I skipped my AM tennis in favor of a run. It wasn’t great but I needed to burn off of some calories. I did play tennis in the evening.

on the Corning Bike Path

Wednesday – Went for a walk and out to lunch with my BFF. Spent hours catching up and then I met Alyssa for a run. I haven’t run this well in a while. We are a good match because we push each other.

Thursday – I played tennis early in the am and then had a hair appointment. I went for a short run in between the two.

Friday – Lots of gardening today which tired me out. So no tennis, no walking, no running. But since I was hosting mah jongg I had to shop and clean.

Saturday – Very hot day and I ran a 5k. Even stopped on the way home to drag myself through 3 more miles.

met lots of friends and placed 3rd in my AG

it was slow…I didn’t want to do it…it was 90 degrees but it’s done

Sunday – Spent the whole day on the water. (Except for a long hike on land along the lake. Had to get my 10k steps.)

17 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run, hiking in the Adirondacks
Tuesday – work at the bar exam, rest, theatre in the park
Wednesday – country club tennis, 4 mile run with a friend
Thursday – rest, work at the bar exam
Friday – work at the bar exam, 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating or garage sale
Sunday – 5k race + 4 more miles, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

July 23, 2016 by Darlene

Silks & Satins 5K Race Recap

July 23, 2016

This used to be one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

in 2008 – my first year of running

in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race. Since then I have completed 20 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.

After 5 years, I ran this 5k again last year. And my time was 28:41. So things haven’t changed that much.

except that now I always run in skirts….

The course had changed for 2015. I assumed that it would be the same this year.

Here is the new course map:

15 turns in this course!!

The race started at 8 am. That meant that I had to get up at 5:30.

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not there was already a lot of traffic at 7 am. I was glad to have left early and found parking in a nearby lot. (I was careful this year to park in the correct lot. Last year, I almost got towed.)

obligatory pre-race pic

I picked up my bib and shirt and then went back to my car and watched the horses work out for a bit.

tech shirt but it is uni-sex

There were about 1000 runners at this race.So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces: Judith, fellow blogger & Skirt Sports Ambassador, Christine, law professor where I used to work, Michele, a former student of mine, Sue who I used to play tennis with among many others.

The weather was quite warm …near 80 at the start and HUMID. So not ideal running conditions. I wasn’t planning to PR anyway.

Soon we headed to the start. It wasn’t chip-timed but it was too crowded to get closer to the front and I didn’t really want to.

And so we were off.

It seems like everyone was passing me by…because they were. As usual, my first mile was too fast. My plan was to have negative splits and but it never happened.

It was HOT. It was HUMID. I tried to run in the shade when there was shade and run the tangents (all 15 of them). Unlike my last 5k, I only walked at the one water stop at the halfway point. And as it turned out, my legs were tired and I probably should have walked at each mile.

I spotted a guy I knew who passed me at the water stop. I tried to keep up with him..in vain but finally crossed the finish line at 28:27.

It was actually a little faster than last year so that’s a plus but slower than two weeks ago when I ran a much hillier 5k.

I searched for my friends but Sue was the only one I could find.

Last year, the refreshments consisted of bagels & chocolate milk. This year, watermelon & bananas. I had several.

watermelon on a hot day – yum!

They posted the results pretty quickly. I was shocked that I came in third in my age group. I guess it depends on who shows up. (Last year, I was 6th.)

and I got a nice medal.

Besides all the turns, it was a pretty flat course. The race is well-organized. I will do this race again.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:45
mile 2 – 9:22
mile 3 – 9:27
.1 – 7:19

28:23 (Garmin time)

I was not going up to the lake until tomorrow. So I took advantage of this opportunity to get some more miles in. I drove to Saratoga Spa Park for a change of scenery. It is such as beautiful park but it was 90 degrees now and I was tired. I walked/ran/walked/ran/stopped to eat/walked/ran..DONE!

Avenue of the Pines

Eew. check the possum on the right side of the road

Hall of Springs

so tempting…

So I survived the heat and can’t wait to spend Sunday on the lake.

my hubby today… me tomorrow

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

July 22, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: NYC

My Friday Five topic this week is My Favorite Things To Do in NYC

It’s no secret that I love NYC and I try to visit as often as I can. When I go, I like to be active. So here are my 5 favorites:

Run In Central Park

You can either take a City Running Tour where you have a guide who tells the history of what you are seeing while you run….

our tour guide

or you can get a map and run around the park on your own. You do have to go back many times. The park is HUGE!!!

Jackie O Reservoir

Either way, you must do it.

2. Take a Food Tour

There are quite a few that your can take. I have done Greenwich Village and Little Italy with Best Tours (2 hour tours) and NoHo/Nolita with Foods of New York (3 hour tours). All were excellent. You walk, learn about the history and culture of the area and EAT!! I can’t wait to do another.

Italian pastries – yum!

bagels 🙂

best pizza ever

sorry no pic of the black out cupcake but it was delish!!

3. Run a Race

There are so many to choose from. Check out NYCRuns.org or NYRR.org for the schedule.

after the Dash to the Finish 5k

4. Visit a Museum

Don’t worry, the museums are large and you will get a lot of walking in.

My favorites are:

MOMA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

NY Botanical Gardens

Here is a complete list of ALL the NYC museums – https://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html

5. Take a Boat Ride

Okay, you don’t get a lot of exercise on the boat but you can walk around when you get off.

The most popular one is the Circle Line Cruise to see the Statue of Liberty and or Ellis Island.

I love taking the Staten Island Ferry (and it’s FREE).

There are also boats that you can eat on such as the North River Lobster Company.

I could keep on going and going but I’ll just add one more:

6. Walk the streets or the High Line and people watch.

You never know who you will see on the street. Anyone recognize him?

my BFF on The High Line

I even made my hubby walk it

Happy Running! Have you done any of the above in NYC? Anything else to add as your favorite?

July 18, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I was planning on playing inter-club tennis but it had rained all night and the courts were too wet to play on. Instead I went to the gym and then on a long walk on the trail trail. No running despite the good weather.

perfect weather on my rest day – darn!

Tuesday – I played tennis in the AM with my Troy Tennis Group and afterwards we had a barbecue. Then did some errands which included a trip to Target.

I couldn’t resist

all natural ingredients – who needs to bake when you can buy these?

I had planned to run with Alyssa in the evening but she had to cancel. So I went to UAlbany to run alone. My hubby was playing an important tennis match there. (But I got done running right after the finished and he had lost 😦 )

Wednesday – A lazy hot day. I did drag myself to the gym which was nice and cool. Ran 1 mile on the treadmill.

Then went for a short sweaty run.

Thursday – I played tennis early in the am and then since my good friend from Florida was in town, a few of us decided to go on a day trip.

We went to The Mount in Lenox, Mass. We took a tour of Edith Wharton’s house, had lunch and then a tour of her gardens. We also strolled around the town of Lenox afterwards.

Friday – A run before AM tennis, lunch with old friends and then I took off for the lake.

teaching & quilting buddies

afternoon on the beach with a good book and then evening with friends at the marina

Saturday – Today began my tennis weekend with my besties at a house on the Schroon River. Got in a short run before everyone arrived. The day included lots of tennis, eating, swimming, laughter and more….

Sunday – I had slept on my boat at the marina (it’s not from the Schroon River house) and got a great run in before returning to the river house..

The rest of the day was spent with my friends…playing tennis, eating, swimming, relaxing, chatting, eating …

Great to get away and spend time with these wonderful women.

Celebrated National Ice Cream Day 3 days in a row.

After everyone left, I went back to the marina and went out to dinner with my hubby and some boating friends.

Yes, diet starts tomorrow. Wait…I’m going to NYC. Diet starts Tuesday!!!

15.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday -rest – day in NYC
Tuesday – tennis Am, tennis PM
Wednesday – mall walk with BFF, 4 mile run
Thursday – AM tennis, 4 mile run, rest, hair appt
Friday – AM tennis, rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – 5K race + more miles
Sunday – rest, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races? How are you celebrating July 4th?