August 24, 2021 by Darlene

TT: What’s New This Year?

The topic for today is: Share your favorite running item(s) you’ve tried this year

I am a creature of habit so I have not tried anything new that I can think of except for new shoes and new races.

Shoes:

I pretty much only wear Topos ever since I was diagnosed with a neuroma because of their wide toe box. (I already have Magnifly, Ultrafly and Flylyte.) But I did try two new styles:

Topos Phantom – These have a 5mm drop and more support and cushioning than the other Topos. I like to wear them for long runs and long races.

Topos Cyclone – These also have a 5mm drop. But they are much lighter and less supportive. I like to wear them for short races.

As with many of the Topos, I struggle with the lacing. It is often hard to get them tight enough and to get them to stay tied.

Magnifly Topos are my favorites but still Thumbs Up for both of these.

: 3 miles in Cyclones

: 8 miles in Phantom2s

Races

I love to race and love to try new races and routes. Many of my go-to races were not happening due to COVID.
These are the races that I have never run before:

A1A Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon – 13.1 miles (in Fort Lauderdale) along the eastern coast of Florida (recap)
Electric City 5 Miler – a new race along the Mohawk River in Schenectady, NY (recap)
Prospect Mountain Road Race – a challenging 5.6 miles to the top of a mountain ending with beautiful views of Lake George (recap)
Miles on the Mohawk 10 Miler – a point-to-point race along the Mohawk (recap)
Rabbit Ramble 4 Miler – a new location on the rolling hills of Altamont, NY (recap)
Firecracker 4 – a very popular race on July 4th in Saratoga, NY (recap)
FASNY 5k – a new race in Saratoga State Park (recap)
Run for the Roses 5K – a hilly race in Grafton Lake State Park (recap)
Whipple City 10k – even hillier race in the countryside of Greenwich, NY (recap)

I would give them all up THUMBS UP!!

Happy Running! What’s new with you? What items (or races) have you tried this year? Please share.

runner-sig

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

January 23, 2018 by Darlene

TOTR: The Shoe Post

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these wonderful ladies:

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

Today’s Topic is: Show Us Your Shoes

It’s no secret that I have problem feet. I have tried almost every brand and finally I’ve found the almost perfectshoe.

These are Nike ZOOM Vomero 10s. They are light, have a roomy toe box and come in many pretty colors.

I didn’t like the 11s but the Nike ZOOM Vomero 12s are just the 10s. Me Likee.

So I gave away my Hokas, Mizunos, New Balance, Sauconys, Brooks and I only have my Nikes.

Advantages of wearing the same shoe:

I know they will be comfortable.
I don’t have to break them in.
I can buy them cheaper online.

Disadvantages

Boring.
Limiting.
There may be a better shoe out there for me (that I don’t know about).

How many pairs do I have?

I may be hoarder because I keep them all and wear the older ones for short distances. Then again, I only have the Nikes so none are that old or worn. So I have about 9 pairs.

I usually buy about 3 new pairs a year and wear the newer ones for my half marathons.

I’m also linking this post with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! Are you boring like me and buy the same running shoe over and over or do you like variety? How many pairs of shoes do you have? How often do you buy new shoes?

February 2, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: Shoes, Deferrals, Long Runs, Work Travel, Cold Weather, etc.

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

thinking out loud

Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

Running shoes – Why do shoe manufacturers change their shoes?

I loved my Nike Zoom Vomero 10s.

nike2

The 11s are tighter in the toe box and heavier. Grr…

Nike_Vomero_11_Vs_10
Now the 12s are out which makes it hard to find the 10s.

The good news is that thanks to Amazon, I found a new pair of 10s. I also have a pair that I found (at a great price) at a Nike Outlet when I was visiting Holly in Panama City Beach.) I will need to wear these sparingly.

Women's Nike Zoom Vomero 10 Running Shoes

Race Entry Deferrals – I have never deferred a race entry but I just deferred my 2017 entry into the Best Damn Race NOLA. I registered for it on a whim and spent a whopping $10. I doubt that I will even be able to run it next year. But who knows? I am still hoping to get into the NYC Half (in March 2018).

Image result for nola half marathon best damn

maybe someday??

Racing and Training – I am always thinking about the fact that I love to race but I am training for a half marathon.

At least our local free races have kinda fit into my schedule: 10k, 15k and next weekend 10 miler.

Well, this weekend, I need to run 10-11 miles but I signed up for a 4 mile race. I am running the race with a blogger friend.

Do I add on more miles after the race? The race is in a very hilly area and one that gets lots of snow and ice. Do I drive home and run more miles? (I also have a party to go to that night…)

Do I run the extra miles the next day? Or all the miles the next day? Remember that party…it would be easier to enjoy it if my long run were done, right? Plus I have another party on Sunday.

Work and Travel – I was supposed to start traveling for work next Tuesday. That meant that I had to cancel tennis and skip 2 days of running.

The good news is that they switched me to a local site. No travel or hotel stay. I do have to set up a mobile lab from 4-6 pm on Tuesday and work from 8 am-6 pm on Wednesday. But I can run in the evenings if I have the energy.

The bad news is that I won’t be earning points for hotels and rental cars. You now where I am going with this, right?

Race-cations!!

Winter Running – I don’t like it. And it really hasn’t been cold – no sub-zero temps (yet). But I am trying to embrace it. It’s mind over matter. But after being indoors all day, it’s not so bad freezing your buns off while running.

15 with the windchill felt revitalizing

What I will hate is when we get ice and snow and there’s no safe place to get in a long run.

Happy Running! What’s on your mind today? Please share. Do you have problems finding running shoes? Do you defer race entries? What about long runs and race – how do you do both? How are you coping with winter temps?

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?

April 12, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: If I only knew then…

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

This week’s topic is “If I only knew then…. What advice would you give your new runner self?

Another tough topic.

Before I took my first step, I joined a running group called No Boundaries. They taught us what to wear, how to breathe, how to stretch, not to heel strike, etc. I had a coach and several mentors.

FRW - 2008

We had a training schedule and we ran outside no matter what the weather was like.

Being the impatient person that I am, although our first 5k was not scheduled until July, I ran my first 5k three weeks after my first run (which took place on April 1). And I ran the whole 3.1 miles…not fast.. but I did it.

getting ready for the race

The picture above is funny because I never stretch.

I also started this blog, the day I signed up for No Boundaries and have continued posting even when I was injured and couldn’t run.

So what would I do differently?

Run with other runners more often.

After no Boundaries ended, I used to do most of my running alone. I did run a lot of races and made running friends there. But I still was uncomfortable joining a running group because I was a “beginner,” I was “older” and I thought that I wasn’t “fast enough.”

Now that I have joined a few groups, I know that age and pace do not matter. It is more fun to run with someone else.

10422515_10152728634751618_2533787278118590781_n

FRW Training Challenge group

Run more miles in the beginning.

I ran about 100 miles the first year and 200 the second year. I didn’t run when the weather was bad. I took the whole winter off the first year. And since I was only running 5ks, I could do them even if I only completed 1-1 1/2 miles for my weekday runs.

Now I run ALL year and my weekday runs are at least 3 miles.

Run more than 3 miles.

I never ran more than 3 miles even on the weekends. I was not building any endurance. I got faster but I think I could have gotten even faster. I should have tried longer races rather than sticking to only 5ks.

Now even if I am not training for a big race, I try to run 5-6 miles on the weekend. I run a lot of 5ks but I have added 10ks, 15ks and other distances to my race schedule.

Sign up for a half marathon sooner.

I don’t mean the first year but I waited a few years because I didn’t have the confidence that I could do it. Finally I signed up for one and trained for it. Then I discovered that ANYONE can run a half marathon. You prepare for it. And I realized for the half marathon, FINISHING=WINNING.

PRs are hard and unpredictable.

When I first started running, I gradually got faster. Before I knew it, I was finishing my 5ks under 30 minutes. But I kinda plateaued. I didn’t finish one in 27:XX until a few years later (after I started running half marathons.) Of course, then there were several injuries and I felt like I was starting all over.

I never know if I am going to run a good race. My PRs are surprises. I can run the same course and my finish time will vary tremendously.

I now realize that there are so many factors that influence our runs – weather, training, health, course, elevation, terrain, etc. We just do our best and the PRs will happen …or not.

Who knew that this would be a half marathon PR? I ran one on a similar course that was 20 minutes slower!

It may take years before you find the right running shoe.

I started with Saucony, then there was Asics, Brooks, Mizuno, even Hokas. With each new brand, I kept thinking that this was it!

8 years later I am wearing Nikes. No far so good.

Speed isn’t everything. Enjoy your runs!

When I first started, I was worried about getting faster (doesn’t everyone?) I had a Nike chip on my shoe that synced with my iPod. Then I got a Garmin. I always uploaded my data and fretted about my pace.

Now I only wear my Garmin for racing. For my other training runs, I only care about distance. I don’t look at my pace. I don’t upload it or post it anywhere.

And yes, running is a lot more fun.

No watch! 🙂 Don’t care about pace!

Happy Running! What advice would you give your new runner self?

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 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?

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?

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?

September 7, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Boy, was it a hot one. I sweat for 3.5 miles in the city & the park. Met my BFF for a walk after.

Tuesday – Played tennis for 1 1/2 hours after work then met an old friend for a late dinner.

Wednesday – Knowing it was going to be very warm, I decided to run before work. My legs even had some occasional speed but only had time for 3 miles (Yeah, I could have gotten up earlier.)

Thursday – Another warm day and forecast for storms got me out of bed early for another before work run. This time 4 miles. Now I know why I don’t run 2 days in a row. Even my new shoes couldn’t remedy my tired legs. (It was warmer and more humid. Maybe that was it?)