July 19, 2010 by Darlene

Weekend Recap & Monday Goals

It started Thursday with a reunion with some ladies I used to work with. We had a picnic and then saw a play in the park – so much fun!!

Friday morning we headed to Lake George to spend the weekend. On Saturday we had 15 people on our site!!! The weather was perfect..so was the company (our friends and some Polish cousins, etc.)

Saturday evening I went to visit my tennis friends at Schroon River – it was tennis weekend #1 that I had to miss. (There’ll will be another in August.)

I also missed the Mentors annual pool party and a blogger meetup in Schenectady & 5k. Everything got scheduled for the same weekend!

On Sunday, my hubby’s sister & husband who were visiting from Florida came up to the lake. Another great weather day – so lucky this summer!!

The forecast for Monday was showers so even though I had the day off, we decided to head home.

YES!!! I did run 4 MILES in Bolton Landing on Saturday & Sunday mornings!!!!! It was humid and my runs weren’t spectacular but I always enjoy this alone time as well as the scenery. It’s my favorite time of the day!!!!!!!!!!

I’m looking forward to my next 5k on Saturday. It’s one of my favorites and AJH from Age Groups Rock may race it too as well as another runner whom I met at the Valley Cats 5k. I have been focusing on tennis rather than running so I’m not as prepared as I hoped. This will be a fun race 🙂

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 14 miles. I did 11.5!!! I slacked off 😦
But I won my USTA doubles match!!!

This week’s schedule:
Monday – USTA tennis playoffs after work
Tuesday – tennis after work
Wed – tennis before work & tennis after work
Saturday & Sunday- boating on Lake George

This week’s running :
Tues – 3.5 miles before work
Thursday – 3.5 miles before work
Saturday – 5K RACE!!

Weekly Running Goal = 10 miles
Monthly Running Goal = 55 miles
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it!!)

Happy Running and enjoy your summer!!

July 15, 2010 by Darlene

Running…I’m Back!

Tennis has taken over my life lately.

Sunday we left early for the lake and returned late. I ran 5 miles on Saturday so it was my rest day, anyway.

My USTA team was in the playoffs on Monday so I didn’t run so I could be rested. It was worth it since I won & so did my team.

Tuesday am I was too tired to run and then Tuesday evening I went to see Martina Hingis and John Mc Enroe play WTT tennis. Martina played great and the NYBuzz won its first match of the season. Johnny Mac did not.

John Mc Enroe playing for the NYSportimes

Wed am it rained and then Wed evening I played tennis with friends. No running for day number 4!!!

This morning I was scheduled to play tennis before work. I needed to play since the 2nd round of playoff is Monday and I am going to be playing. We are leaving for 4 days on Lake George tomorrow so it will be my last opportunity to practice.

The runner in me said “You haven’t run since Sunday…you have to get out there again!!!” And I did. I dragged my husband out of bed at 6 am and had him play tennis in my spot and I went out and ran 3.5 miles. (Hopefully I don’t regret this next Monday when I playing tennis in the playoffs!!!)

There was 95% humidity but it was not too warm yet and there was a slight breeze. It felt great to be running again though my lungs felt out of shape after only a 4 day layoff. When I was done, I had more energy than I’ve had in days!!

Tonight I’m off to see a play in Washington Park with folks I used to work with. We go every year and it’s always fun!

This weekend, it supposed to be hot and humid again…so I was be…

floating on Lake George

Happy Running! Stay cool!

July 13, 2010 by Darlene

Tennis Victory but a Rained Out AM Run

My team (Aces Wild) won 4-1 so we advance to next round and play again next Monday. YAY!

My doubles partner & I won too. Not easily…my partner was very nervous and playing very poorly!!! We were down 1-5 in the lst set and about to lose. It was my job to boost her confidence & get her to relax. I told her to just think about making ONE POINT not winning the match. We joked around each time we made one point. Eventually, one by one we won the next 6 games or 24 points! In the 2^nd set, we were playing much better. We were up 5-2 & I was serving for the match. My head took over and I started to think about winning and guess what, they won the next 3 games and we were tied at 5-5. They were now the confident ones and we had to return to our original plan – just win points. So we won the next 8 points and it was over. The other team cried. We were incredulous. We couldn’t believe that being so close to defeat that we won!!!!!!

Tennis is sometimes in addition to skill such a “mind game.”

Back to running. I was mentally and physically drained after my match last night so I didn’t sleep well. I set my alarm to get up and run. IT WAS RAINING!!! Reprieve…we’ll see if I have time to get a run when I get home and before I go see:

and

John McEnroe’s team is playing the NYBuzz (Martinis Hingis plays for our team) tonight in Albany.

Happy Running!

July 12, 2010 by Darlene

The Morning Run that wasn’t

another day in paradise

I spent Saturday cleaning, shopping, doing laundry & running so yesterday, I deserved a break! Not really but our friends booked the site above….so we had to go to Lake George.

fun times with friends

We got home late and I had all the intentions in the world to run this morning. When the alarm went off, I procrastinated and then it was too late!!! I was really pissed that it was beautiful outside – no humidity, cool and the heat and humidity is returning!!!

Tonight my tennis team is playing in the playoffs. It’s really important so maybe that’s why I chose not to run. Hope we win….

and tomorrow morning, I’m getting up to run!!!!

Happy Running!

June 28, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #14 & it’s Monday…Goals

Click HERE to participate.

Topic: Give-A-Ways- Love Em or Hate Em

Question: What are your thoughts on give-a-ways? Do you enter them often? What entices you to enter or turns you off from entering? Have you run your own give-a-ways?

I love them.

I enter only those that offer items that I’d like to win. I always post the giveaways on my blog and on twitter (if required) but I do not post on Facebook – there are enough items that appear on people’s Facebook news items & I don’t want to add to it.

Giveaways have given me opportunities to learn about new running products and they have introduced me to bloggers that I wouldn’t otherwise found.

I have been lucky to win some cool things. I have never run my own giveaway. I don’t think I have enough readers and a vendor hasn’t offered me anything to review and give away (Hint! Hint!)

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 10.5 miles. I did 13!!!
I ran in a 5K race! I came in 2nd in my age group!

This week’s schedule:
Monday – friend’s b-day dinner
Tuesday – tennis after work
Wed – tennis after work
Thursday – tennis before work, hair appt
Friday – Census job after work, mah jong
Saturday & Sunday- boating on Lake George island

This week’s running :
Monday – 3 miles before work
Wednesday – 3 miles before work – LAST DAY OF THE MONTH!
Friday – 3 miles before work
Sunday – 4 miles (while at the marina)

Weekly Running Goal = 14 miles
JUNE Monthly Running Goal = 54 miles
JULY Monthly Running Goal = 55 miles
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles

Happy Running & have a great week!

June 22, 2010 by Darlene

Tuesday & Cancellations

Monday tennis match – cancelled – opponent couldn’t play. I won by default 6-0, 6-0
Tuesday tennis – cancelled – rain. We went out to dinner instead.
Thursday – Census job – cancelled – not enough work. I willl get together with a friend.

Now about running:

I could have run Monday after work but it was hot & I was tired from the weekend. So I got up early today and ran 3.5 miles. It is so nice to start off the day with a run. The weather was perfect. I plan to do the same on Thursday unless it rains then I’ll run after work. My next 5k race is Saturday – Valley Cats Homerun 5k.

Happy Running!

June 15, 2010 by Darlene

Two for Tuesday

I won this tote bag from 2010 Journey in Running‘s giveaway. I ❤ winning! Thanks Bobbie.

I’m back at work after 3 day weekend and the sun is shining finally. A beautiful day. After work, I am playing tennis (doubles) and maybe a run (if I have enough energy) or gardening!

Happy Running!

June 14, 2010 by Darlene

Busy Day Off

I took the day off because I thought we would be at the lake. The weekend was rainy so we did not go out on our boat.

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, I decided to go for a run. I had planned 3.5 miles but since I was not rushed, I decided to push for 5 miles. This was an effort. It was humid. The route was hilly so I walked a lot the last 2 miles but I did it.

Next I decided to weed and plant some annuals in the garden. Guess what I found in the parking lot of the garden store – Betties’ Cakes double decker bus.

I ran 5 miles so I could justify eating this:

The bus is here til June 25! I’ll be back!

After the afternoon of weeding & planting, I headed off to my USTA tennis match. Our captain sent us to the wrong location so we had to rush to the correct location. We were late and there was no time to warm up.

One player didn’t show up so I had to play singles. I NEVER play singles! But no one else on my team would.

I won the first set 6-4, was ahead in the 2nd 3-1 but then my opponent came back strong and I lost 6-3 and I also lost in the tie breaker 😦

Everyone on the team lost so afterwards we consoled ourselves and went out for dessert. I had strawberry shortcake. (I forgot, I had ice cream for dessert before the match, too).

Back to work tomorrow!

Happy Running!

June 8, 2010 by Darlene

Two 4 Tuesday

I’m still on an adrenaline high from Saturday’s race!

the Happy group after the race

I have multiple copies of Sunday’s front page of the newspaper. I even signed up for two more 5ks this month- Kinderhook Bank OK 5K on June 12 and Valley Cats Home Run 5k on June 26.

2. I’m trying to fit both tennis and running around my 2 jobs and my family and friends. I did both yesterday. I plan to do both today.?

Happy Running!