tennis

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Vitamin D Part 1

I have debated over the last 4 weeks on whether or not I should go on a Florida vacation.  I was hoping to find out what was wrong with my kidney.  But that isn’t happening.  I was worried about being sick and being far away from home.

My urologist said to go so I am.

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of my tennis friends won 8 days at a Orlando resort (Dec 8-15) and invited 3 of us to go.

Mary (in the green shirt), Ava (in black hat & outfit), Suzy (in pink hat) are going.

Unfortunately, it is a very busy time for me at work and I cannot go for the whole time. (Well, I feel too guilty to and unexpected dr appts used up some of my pto.)

We will be at the Blue Tree resort in Orlando Fla.

So I am leaving tomorrow and will return on Wednesday.

Here’s what the resort has to offer:

  • 4 Swimming pools
  • Game room
  • BBQ Grills
  • 2 Outdoor Jacuzzis
  • Miniature Golf
  • Shuffle Board
  • Fitness Center
  • Daily Activities
  • Lighted Tennis
  • Activity center
  • Free Parking
  • Free Schedule Transportation to Disney, Universal and Sea World
  • Free Schedule  Transportation to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
  • Wireless Internet service – FREE
  • Many Restaurants within Walking Distance

Are you jealous?

I am hoping to play some tennis, maybe even run, relax and soak up some Vitamin D.

(Vitamin D Part 2 will be in Jan, Part 3 in Mar and part 4 in May.)

Happy Running! Please send healthy vibes my way.

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Thankful November

I wasn’t organized enough to do this daily but I really was thankful each day of this month:

  1. Thankful that my friend encouraged me to learn to knit.  It keeps me focused and takes my mind off of my injuries.
  2. Thankful for having learned to play Mah Jongg.  I have met new people and it is a lot of fun and keeps my “old” mind active.
  3. Thankful for our boat and the people who live in Lake George that we have befriended because of it.
  4. Thankful for my tennis friends and although we don’t play tennis often together, we do other things to stay connected.
  5. Thankful for my job.  Besides the salary, I enjoy helping people and feeling appreciated.
  6. Thankful for my right to vote.
  7. Thankful that President Obama was re-elected.
  8. Thankful for a new Grey’s Anatomy episode and no more political commercials to watch.
  9. Thankful for USAir frequent flyer miles and being able to fly to Florida for free on December 8, Jan 19 & Mar 12.
  10. Thankful for the bloggers that keep me entertained and motivated to run.
  11. Thankful for beautiful weather and scenic places in my area to bike.
  12. Thankful for my cleaning lady and that once a month, I have clean floors & bathrooms.
  13. Thankful for only needing a painless cleaning from my dentist.
  14. Thankful for working across the street from Starbucks and being able to run across for an afternoon pick me up.
  15. Thankful for free flu shots at work.
  16. Thankful for my Nov. Foodie Penpal and the delicious goodies that I received from her.
  17. Thankful for my BFF Judy who has been my source of calm and advice for over 35 years.
  18. Thankful for being able to run ONE mile (pain-free.)
  19. Thankful for those who have been graciously subbing for me each week in my Monday tennis contract.
  20. Thankful for the exercise bike & wifi at work so I can exercise & keep up the latest episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice & Nashville on my iPad.
  21. Thankful for my hairdresser and hair dye – both which keep me looking young(er).
  22. Thankful for the excuse to eat stuffing and pumpkin pie with a view & the company of my hubby.
  23. Thankful for a Friday off from work. Time to catch up on laundry, shopping & decorating for the holdiays (EARLY!)
  24. Thankful for UVA gel and now beautiful nails for the next month.
  25. Thankful for the junk food and left overs from hosting mah jongg (we never have junk food at my house.)
  26. Thankful for DVRs – now I can watch Sunday night’s Revenge & The Good Wife.
  27. Thankful for our anti-Thanksgiving lunch at work esp the Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.
  28. Thankful for hospitals, doctors, nurses and that soon, I will hopefully be playing tennis and racing again.
  29. Thankful for my hubby and that we can put up with each other’s ups and downs.
  30. Thankful for our annual work Christmas party…lots of food & drink and the opportunity to dress up.

knitting socks

playing mah jongg

me & my tennis friends at a restaurant

me & my Lake George friends

The Corning Bike Path (on the Hudson R.)

Dark Chocolate bar from my Foodie Pen Pal

BOGO for 3 days!

Thanksgiving with a view & my hubby

oreo cheesecake truffles

Happy Running!  Did you participate in Thankful November?  What were you most thankful for?

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What the Doctor Said

Tuesday, I went to see my foot doctor.  (In case you haven’t followed my latest injury – my foot started to hurt 5 weeks ago.  I ignored the pain and ran two 5k races but stopped tennis & running for 3 weeks, then went to the doctor who prescribed a boot for 2 weeks since the xrays revealed a healing stress fracture of the 2nd metatarsal…probably caused by overuse of the right foot due to a broken left ankle.)

Here’s what the Doctor said on Tuesday:

  1. Start weaning yourself off the boot…wear a shoe several hours a day and increase it each day.
  2. On Sunday, start running a 1/2 mile every other day (if it does not hurt.)
  3. The next Sunday, increase the running to 1 mile every other day (if it doesn’t hurt) and then increase running gradually.
  4. Can play tennis once I can run 2 miles every other day without any pain.
  5. Biking is  allowed now.

So that’s that… I can’t wait to take my first running steps…Fingers crossed.

Bye bye boot!!

Hello running shoes!

Happy Running!

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Wordless Wednesday – The Plan

I have a plan:

(The white cells are when I am on vacation in Florida. CT or Cross Training is tennis.)

Happy Running! Do you have a half marathon training plan or do you wing it?

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Two for Tuesday

This past weekend, I went to TWO parties for two different Pats.

1. Saturday, we went to one of our Lake George friend’s (Pat) surprise birthday party.

me & my friends Dottie & Kathi

 

Jim, birthday boy, PAT, (in front) Ed & Lance

 

my hubby with MaryAnn who flew in from Florida as a surprise

It was nice to take my mind off of running & my injury… Except that one of Pat’s friends is a runner & just ran the Mohawk Hudson Marathon (he couldn’t wait to tell me about it).  I did dance a lot (with and without my boot.)  I ate & drank & stayedf up very late without worrying about a race the next morning.

2. On Sunday, we threw a party for one of my tennis friends, Pat, who was visiting from Florida.

the tennis gang (Pat is to my left)

They all played tennis & I met them for dinner.  Most of them haven’t seen me since I got my new boot…had to re-tell the sad story 😦  We had a lot of fun catching up… it even took 3 hours before politics was discussed/debated.

This afternoon, I go back to the foot doctor.  Maybe I can ditch the boot a week early!!

Happy Running!  Happy Election Day!

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Welcome October…Welcome Fall!

September was a pretty busy month even though it didn’t go as planned.

This is what I had hoped:

  • Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals – not really but I had good intentions
  • Lower my 5K time – actually I did but not by as much I would have liked
  • Lower my 10K time – nope because I changed my mind & didn’t run the 10K
  • Start yoga – nope here too
  • Join a gym and work out – well, I didn’t really think this would happen

about 8 of those miles were walked 😦

But let’s focus on the good things that happened in September.

  • I ran in four races.

showing off my medal from the 4.4 Chase Away Leukemia race

  • I finished a 5K in less than 30 minutes.

doing it at the MPBA 5k

  • The weather cooperated and we had some more boating weekends.

cool but sunny day on Lake George

  • I started my weekly tennis contract and am enjoying it.
  • I stayed in my friend’s house on Schroon River 2 more times (for running, mah jongg). Love it there!

view from the house

  • I got a surprise visit from my friend in Russia.

at the NY Botanical Gardens

  • I am enjoying the foliage in the Northeast.

Hiking on the Indian Ladder Trail at Thatcher State Park

  • I rode my bike (1x)

at the Nisky bike trail along the Mohawk R.

  • I used the treadmill once.
  • I won a healthy receipe contest at work AND I won $25 gift card to Walmarts (from The Happy Runner).

this was my prize at work

For October, I am going to go out on a limb and try to:

  • Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals (that means long runs on the weekend)
  • Run at a more consistant & faster pace
  • Start yoga
  • Join a gym and work out
  • Lose weight
  • Eat healthy

Happy Running!  How was your September?  Anything different planned for October?

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Sof Sole Review

According the website:

The Athlete™ features a neutral arch position, making it suitable for most foot types, as well as additional gel cushioning in the heel and forefoot without any extra bulk. Built with our exclusive IMPLUS® foam, the Athlete™ also provides superior moisture management.

I received a pair of these in the mail and they couldn’t have come at a better time.

I am particularly hard on my running shoes.  I either stomp or drag my feet – who knows?? But I go through shoes.   After a few months, they no longer feel cushiony and the bottom of my feet start to ache.

Saturday after 5 miles or so, my feet felt the way the do at Mile 12 of a half marathon – that achy burning feeling on the bottom of my feet.  And my shoes are only a few months old.

So I decided to try out the Sof Sole insoles.  I was a little hesitant since I usually wear orthotics but I put them in my Brooks Ghost neutral shoes and my hubby & I went hiking on Sunday.  They felt great.

Yesterday morning was the real test.  I ran 3 miles before work.  My feet felt super. I could have run more if I didn’t have to rush off to work.

I may have to ditch my expensive orthotics in flavor on these insoles.

Last night, I played tennis and used this opportunity to test out  Coolmax Lite socks by Sof Sole.  Although I don’t need cushiony support for playing tennis (as I do for running where I wear compresson socks), an hour and 1/2 of running around on the court makes your feet sweat.  In the past, I have gotten blisters from wearing heavy non-breathable socks. However, these socks were very comfortable.  They are light but not too light.

Thumbs Up for Sof Sole!

Happy Running!

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*I was sent these products free of charge. I have not been compensated for my review, my opinions are my own.

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Healthy Friday

I bet you never thought you’d hear the word HEALTHY here.

But this has been a healthy week.

On Wednesday, my work sponsored a potluck lunch:

I made Broccoli Slaw Salad and I won for “Best Use of a Super Food.”

It was a great idea.  I tasted some great (healthy) food and got some new recipes (which I may or may not use.)  Two of my favorites were Tomato Soup Cake and Veggie Pasta Toss (which also had broccoli slaw in it.)

(Truthfully, I don’t have time to cook  😦  and I just won a FREE week of the Standard Fruit & Vegetable Subscription from FieldGoods)

Anyway, here’s my recipe if you are interested:

Ingredients:

  • 1 package broccoli slaw mix
  • 2 packages chicken flavored ramen noodles (crushed)
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted peanuts
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup vinegar
  • optional – dried cranberries

Directions:

  1. Combine in a large bowl slaw, noodles, green onions.
  2. Whisk together sugar, oil, vinegar, ramen seasoning packets.
  3. Pour mixture over salad and toss.
  4. Add peanuts, sunflower seeds (& cranberries)

This week also I was selected as a Sweat Pink Ambassador (SPA) from fitapproach.com.

Here is their mission:

We believe that kicking ass is best done in  pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede  that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking  great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick…

in pink

That convinced me (and that I wear pink often to run.)

in pink again

If you are interested too (and like pink shoelaces), check out their website and apply.

Now about my running this week…

Sun – no running but biked
Mon – no running but played tennis
Tues – no running but walked around NYC
Wed – ran 3 miles and walked around the mall
Thurs – no running but walked at lunch
Friday – no running but will walk at lunch

5 days of NO RUNNING and I am NOT INJURED. WTH?

I wonder how that will affect my race tomorrow!!!

Happy Running! Do you eat healthy?  Do you ever get sidetracked and skip running?

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Back to Tennis

Yesterday I was talking about reconnecting with old friends.  Tonight I reconnect with another old friend.  TENNIS!

It is with mixed feelings.  I like playing tennis.  I love my tennis friends!!! Watching the US Open makes me wish that I was really good at it.

Yes, I was surprised, too.

However, truthfully, it cuts into my running time. I have to schedule running around tennis because you can run at any time and you can run anywhere and you can’t just not show up for a tennis match.

But for tennis, it is different.  I didn’t play tennis for 6 months and it wasn’t that difficult to play again.  I’ve only played a few times this summer and I haven’t played in a few weeks and I know I can just go out there and play. (I wish running were that easy to get back into.)

It’s not that it’s because I’m that good. Pros have to put in the time. I’m pretty mediocre so it doesn’t really matter.  I play doubles and if my partner plays well, it is easier.  If my partner does not, we don’t win even if I play great. (It’s not an individual effort like running.)

I know that when I go out there I will want to win but if I am not playing a USTA match, I don’t get down on myself if I don’t win.

the competitive me in 2010

Before I started running, I was very serious about tennis.  I played all the time, took lessons, practiced, read tennis magazines, bought tennis outfits & shoes, etc.

Now, I just play for exercise and camaraderie and for fun. (They seem like good reasons to continue to me.)

Because it’s take four to play tennis,  you can’t be casual about it. So like last year, I organized a group of 5 women to play on Monday nights for 34 weeks. That means that everyone sits out once every 5 weeks.  I am also part of a Tuesday night group in which I only play once a month.

I try not to play tennis and run on the same day but sometimes I just have to run!

Happy Running! What gets in the way of your running schedule? Should I stop playing tennis?

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The Running – Tennis Weekend

Running – Tennis…in that order.

This past weekend was my 2nd weekend with the tennis ladies this summer at my friend’s house on the Schroon River.  These ladies are the ones we call our travel team.  Since 2002, we go away together 1-2x a year to play tennis.

I had planned to get there early (as I did last time) and run before they got there and then play tennis.

Well, this group got there earlier than me.

I should have gone to play tennis with them but I ran instead.  (There were 6 women there & 2 more coming…. need 8 for 2 courts of doubles, anyway)

picture perfect day along the Schroon R.

running down my favorite road

 

now the waterlilies have bloomed

I enjoyed my run, too.

When I got back, I changed and planned to join them on the courts…but they were hot & tired and didn’t want to play any longer 😦 (I think they were a little annoyed that I went for a run rather than playing tennis with them.)

Oh well.

We had lunch, spend the rest of the day by the river, playing scrabble, reading, gabbing.  The evening including more eating, laughing and playing cards.  So nice to be among friends.

the group minus 2 that had left

Some women had to leave but there were 4 of us who stayed overnight.

The next morning, I didn’t make the same mistake.  I got up early and went for a run.

sunflowere in bloom as well

 

looks like fall is peaking through

 

over to the bridge & back home

When I got back, we played tennis!  Right, that’s why I was there.  It was fun.

me after playing tennis

The afternoon played out just like yesterday.  I relaxed in the shade in an Adirondack chair looking at the river with my friends.  Perfect!

When everyone left, I hung out with my book (Pandemonium, sequel to Delirium).  Then I went for a long walk (& of course, had my mandatory ice cream cone.)

Remember, my dilemma?  My tennis friends convinced me to choose running, not tennis.

I am running with Joanie on Wednesday!

Happy Running!  How was your running this weekend?