September 5, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Completed my postponed long run today. I started later than I should have. I drove to run on the Zim Smith Bike Path because I love to have a post run treat at Leah’s Cakery. Well, it is closed on Mondays. 😦 So it was hot, I was tired from the weekend and the run was pretty awful.

But I got it done and found a great place to eat afterwards only 3.5 miles away.

best apple pie!

YAY! Done!

I went to a STEM (training domestic violence survivors for a 5k) training/meeting in the evening at FleetFeet and I am excited that my volunteering starts Sept 12.

Tuesday – Decided to rest and skip my AM tennis. Got my nails done, played tennis in the evening and then went out to dinner (to celebrate the end of our summer Tuesday tennis).

Wednesday -The tennis round robin got cancelled so I went to the gym.

Ran with Alyssa in the evening. She had to get home so we had to rush. It meant that we were done before the rain (But boy was it humid!!)

Thursday – I played tennis in the am. Met Barbara for a run at UAlbany. Another friend was supposed to come along but we confused the times. It was a decent run since the temps have cooled down.

Afterwards I met my BFF for a walk around the mall.

Friday – I went to the gym in the am and then mah jongg in the evening. Enjoyed my last day of leisure!!

Saturday – My second long run this week and I really didn’t want to do it. So I took a new route … The unpaved part of the rail trail. It was a nice route and I can’t wait until they pave it.

Then my friend and I decided to go up to the Saratoga track for a few races (It closes this weekend) and then go to the casino.

showing my $40 winning ticket – won 4 out of 5 races so a very good day!! was not lucky at the casino

Sunday – I got up very early to head up to the lake. It’s the annual Christmas party and the bay gets crowded early. Lots of boats, food, entertainment and FUN!! The weather was absolutely perfect.

The day ended with dinner out and fireworks over the lake.

30 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 5K race
Tuesday – NYC!!
Wednesday – First day of my new job, 4 mile run with a friend
Thursday – Work, 3 mile run with a friend, hubby’s tennis party?
Friday – Work, rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race + 5-7 more miles
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?

August 29, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Completed my postponed long run today. Judy was nice enough to run the first 3 with me and then I was solo for the next 7. The weather was perfect and the run pretty decent.

Tuesday – played tennis in the am. and did a bunch of errands the rest of the day.

Wednesday – walked the mall and got some retail therapy. Ran with Alyssa in the evening at the Crossings. As always, a run with a friend is better than without.

Thursday – Played tennis in the am with the same new group as last week and then met Barbara for a run right after. We ran in the ugly humidity and then I finished solo at home. (Do you ever plan on 4 than feel guilty that you stopped at 3.5 and finish later?)

wearing my favorite Skirt Sports top ❤

Had a hair appt in the afternoon. Met a friend for dinner. (We had planned to go to the gym and for a walk but postponed it until the next morning.)

Friday – The tennis robin got cancelled so I went to the gym, for a walk and out to lunch with a friend. (We had planned this for the day before but only got the eating part done.)

I wasn’t running…just posing for a pic. I used the arm machine and then went for a 5 mile walk.

Afterwards I went grocery shopping, made a broccoli slaw salad, packed my stuff for the weekend and drove up to my friend’s house on Schroon River. We spent the evening knitting, chatting and watching a movie.

Saturday – I woke up to this view of the Schroon River.

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I had planned to run 11 miles this morning but decided to just do a short run since it was too hilly.

I didn’t play tennis but walked to and from the courts (2 miles). After lunch, we played mah jongg and chatted, etc. I drove back to the marina to have dinner with my hubby and boating friends. Then I spend the rest of the evening with my mah jongg friends ( though 3 did not spend the night.)

Sunday – Started the day with a few sets of tennis and then we went for a walk. Two more friends arrived and after lunch, we spent the rest of the day playing mah jongg.

Fun weekend spent with good friends. I did miss boating (cuz the weather was perfect) but hopefully I’ll get to do that next weekend.

23 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 11 mile run, STEM orientation
Tuesday – gym, rest, PM tennis, dinner out
Wednesday – tennis round robin, 4 mile run with a friend
Thursday – AM tennis, 3 mile run with a friend
Friday – gym, rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 12 mile run
Sunday – boating (Xmas party in the lake)

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 22, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Decided to spend the night at my friend’s house on the Schroon River. and woke up to perfect running weather (finally). Too bad, my legs were sooo tired.

They weren’t too tired to go for a hike. I climbed to the top of Meade and Beckman Mountains.

hardest of the 7 hikes that I have completed in the Chester Challenge but totally worth it. I even met the owner of the property.

I spent the rest of the day sitting by the river and knitting before heading home.

Tuesday – played tennis in the am and then we celebrated the summer with a pizza party. I played tennis again in the evening. Got lucky. It rained in between.

Wednesday – ran with Barbara in the am. It was great catching in up since we hadn’t seen each other in a while.

new Nikes – so far so good.

I walked the mall with my bff in the afternoon. In the evening, played mini golf with my tennis buds followed by dinner out.

we are better at tennis than golf LOL but it was fun

Thursday – subbed in a new tennis group in the am. Spent the afternoon in the pool with some tennis friends.

Met Alyssa for a run in the evening.

rained before we started and then more humid than ever

Then met an old friend at a local wine bar. These days are busy. Good thing I’m not employed. LOL

Friday – played in a tennis robin for 3 hours. It was nice playing on clay for a change.

No running today. Just some errands including a car appt. Spent the evening playing major jongg.

Saturday – Ran a 5k race today. Felt lousy and didn’t run well.

the only good thing was wining my age group

So after the race, instead of my planned 7 miles, I drove up to the lake. My hubby brought a friend. We (or they) jumped off cliffs, rode around in the boat, hung out in the bay and hiked (me and his friend) to a waterfalls.

Still feeling under the weather, I drove home instead of going out to dinner and spending the night on the boat.

Sunday – a real REST day. The first one in many weeks – no running, no hiking, no tennis….

15 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 10 mile run,
Tuesday – AM tennis, rest
Wednesday – 4 mile run with a friend
Thursday – AM tennis, 4 mile run, hair appt
Friday – AM tennis, rest
Saturday – 11 mile run, boating and/or mah jongg
Sunday – tennis, mah jongg on the Schroon River

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 15, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – For the past 33 years, my friend (former co-worker) & I had gone to breakfast at the race track.

Sometimes after breakfast and watching the horse warm up, we stay for the races. We did this year and had a lot of fun betting – mostly successfully but I don’t bet a lot of money so I don’t win a lot of money.

Afterward we decided to stop off at the casino cuz I had never been. Beginners luck had me winning $77. We celebrated with ice cream.

Tuesday – After another day of car shopping, I ran at the Colonie Town Park and then played tennis.

unfortunately I waited until 4 pm when it was 90 degrees! At least there was shade.

Wednesday – We finally got the rain that we needed but the result was oppressive humidity. I was running with a friend which made it more bearable.

at the Corning Bike Path

Thursday – I played tennis in the am and I couldn’t believe how humid it was!!! (I don’t know how you Southerners do it.) Since they predicted a heat index of 100 degrees, I reluctantly ran (3 slow miles) on the treadmill at the gym. Then worked out with a friend, went out for dinner and a walk on the rail trail.

Friday – AM tennis was cancelled so I did stuff around the house. Then I went with my hubby to pick up his new truck. We had two parties to go to – one at our marina and one for the hubby’s tennis team. Yup, we managed to go to both. (carb loading for my race the next day, right?)

Saturday – Ran a HOT, HUMID, HILLY 10k.

a course PR and won my age group

After the race, I headed up to spend the rest of the day at my friend’s house on the Schroon River. This was a “knitting” weekend. Rained on and off all day so only managed a walk. Perfect knitting weather.

Sunday – I got in a run before everyone got up. After breakfast, I talked them into 2 hikes.

Then there was lunch, more knitting and some swimming.
20 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run, hiking
Tuesday – AM tennis, tennis pizza party, PM tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run with a friend, mall walk with bff, mini golf /dinner
Thursday – AM tennis, pool party, 4 miles with a friend
Friday – AM tennis, rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + 7 more miles
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?

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?

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?

July 4, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I stayed up at Bolton Landing (on Lake George) today. Started the day with a slow scenic 4 mile run.

waterlilies at the Sagamore – ❤

I had planned to do some hiking but it started to rain so I headed to the outlets. Believe it or not, I didn’t buy a thing.

Tuesday – Did some errands in the morning including an eye dr appt.

An impending storm cancelled tennis so I went for a walk and then to the gym.

Wednesday – Started the day with a run…solo. Decided on a road trip to Peebles Island and thoroughly enjoyed it.

For dinner I met my travel tennis friends at a new restaurant

Thursday – Morning tennis and then later ran with my new running friend. The run was followed by a mall walk with my BFF.

She suggested the ice cream – Not me!

Friday – Again I played tennis in the am (with a different group). In the evening, I played maj jongg (which I hadn’t done in weeks) while watching the Olympic Trails on TV.

Saturday – Planned on a long run and then a ride up to the lake but the hubby decided to stay home and I procrastinated until afternoon to run.

I ran my fastest mile ever (7:xx) to get to the bakery before it closed.

I begged and they opened the door & sold the only thing left – a strawberry muffin.

Sunday – This should have been a lake day because the weather was perfect but it wasn’t. Instead I took a SUP lesson in the am with Judy. It was actually fun. I am as clumsy as I thought. I fell twice but the good news is that I stayed up over an hour and want to try it again.

Sorry no pictures of us standing on the boards – maybe next time.

In the afternoon, I went for a butterfly walk at the Albany Pinebush Preserve. It was about 1 mile and we learned about the insects, birds and plants in this preserve. I hope to go back and run on some of the trails. (There are 11.) I did see a lot of butterflies and I was amazed at how small they were.

These butterflies are an endangered species so it is rare to see them

18.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday –3 mile run, boating, fireworks on the lake
Tuesday – 4 mile run, tennis PM
Wednesday – AM tennis, 4 mile ice cream run
Thursday – rest, tennis AM, dinner out with an old co-worker
Friday – AM tennis, 7 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating
Sunday – 5k race, birthday party (mini golf)

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?

July 2, 2016 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – July

Since today is the first Saturday in July, I am joining up with Coco, Deborah, and Lynda for their ultimate coffee date.

Where did June go? I felt like I just wrote June’s UCD post.

Anyway…

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that along with loss of my blogging mojo, I’ve lost my running mojo.

I had started writing Wednesday & Thursday posts and just didn’t feel like finishing them and posting.

Now instead of running, I am writing this post.

It’s perfect running weather – cool & breezy but here I sit at my computer.

It’s basically because I have too much free time (I need a busy schedule) and I am in a funk about being unemployed.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that I am liking playing tennis everyday with different people. Because the groups play at a certain time, you have to show up. No procrastinating. I am meeting lots of new people. It’s a great diversion from job hunting.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that I have a new running friend. Don’t worry Judy & Barbara, I still need you guys.

I met her on FB and we have run twice together and plan to again next week. She is training for a marathon and no, I am not tempted.

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Alyssa

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you I’m going through Starbucks withdrawal. I am saving money not working across the street from a Starbucks. I haven’t given it up totally since there is one when I shop at Target or grocery shop at Price Chopper. Yesterday I had to resort to making my own chocolate banana protein smoothie.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that I bit the bullet and signed for a SUP class tomorrow. I even talked Judy into it. I’m a little nervous because I can’t bend my ankle due to all the hardware in it and I can’t balance because of it. I guess the worst that can happen is that I will look like a fool and get wet.

Hopefully, I learn enough to be able to SUP on Lake George.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that I have been racing a lot. I’ve run 4 races in June – three 5ks and a 10 miler.

But this weekend I am not racing. The only race around here is Monday and I’d rather be up at the lake.

I did sign up for at least 3 in July.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fireworks. I have watched them every year ever since I was a kid.

watching the fireworks from our boat

Now we get to watch them over the lake.

Happy 4th!

Happy Running! Anything to spill? Are you racing this weekend? Do you like to watch the fireworks? Have you tried SUPing? Anyone watching the Olympic Trails?

July 1, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Summer Fitness Goals

Since it’s Friday, 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!

My Friday Five topic is Summer Fitness Goals

Work Those Arms.

My arms need help. You don’t see the bat wings in photos but they’re there. I could go to the gym or do planks at home. (If only I could do A push-up…)

I hope to keep playing a lot of tennis. That can’t hurt.

2. Run with Others

And I don’t mean in races. That’s a given. It is easier to just go out and do it alone but I run better and faster and at a more consistent pace when I don’t run by myself.

My new running buddy, Alyssa, who training for her first marathon in Dec.

Barbara who challenges me to run faster

Denise & Judy whose run/walk style helps me be more consistent.

3. Find Some Different Places to Run

I need to get out of my rail trail rut. It’s easy and it’s close but now I have the time to explore.

Central Park was a blast but it’s 3 hours away.

But there are lots of places within an hour that I need to explore.

Old Champlain Canal trail (Waterford)

Peebles Island

4. Try something new.

Hopefully parasailing or driving a jetski but most likely kayaking and SUPing.

stay turned so see how this turned out… I plan to try it on Sunday

5. Eat healthier.

Already kicked my Starbucks habit since I don’t work nearby anymore.

made my first smoothie – chocolate, banana, protein powder, almond milk – as good as Starbucks

chicken, apples, walnuts, cheese, lettuce, raspberry dressing – just like Panera’s?

I haven’t kicked my ice cream addiction yet.

Happy Running! What are some of your summer fitness goals?

June 27, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I stayed up at Bolton Landing (on Lake George) today. Started the day with a scenic 7 mile run.

Then went for two hikes. My first solo hikes and they were awesome.

Tuesday – Today I played tennis twice. I subbed in a new group near my house (walked to the courts) and then played with my usual Tuesday evening group.

Wednesday – In the morning, I played tennis in my 2nd country club robin-robin. It was cool, windy and even rained.

The weather cleared up later in the day and I went for a run on the rail trail with Alyssa, a new running friend.

a very speed non-stop run – she pushed me but she said I pushed her.

Thursday – Morning tennis with my Troy Tennis group and dinner out with a former co-worker.

I talked my friend into a 4 mile walk after dinner (She may no longer be my friend LOL)

Friday – An exciting day in NYC. Thanks Judy for letting me plan your crazy day. We took the train to the city, checked our bag in Macys, hopped the subway to Central Park, had a quick lunch and ran 4 miles through the park with a tour guide.

great way to learn about the history of the park and get in some exercise

After the tour, I had ice cream, then we walked some more in the park, went to the zoo, walked ALL the way back to Macys, changed our clothes and had dinner at a cute restaurant with French running blogger, Karen before heading back home on the train.

Saturday – Definitely a rest day filled with errands, laundry, housework, etc.

Sunday – Today I ran the Adirondack Distance Race – 10 miles from Lake George to Bolton Landing

it was hilly. it was hot. my feet hurt but i still enjoyed the race.

The rest of the day was spent on the lake!!

25 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 3 mile run, hiking??
Tuesday – rest, tennis Am & PM, eye dr appt
Wednesday – 3 mile run, monthly dinner out with the tennis ladies
Thursday – rest, tennis AM, 4 mile run with a friend, mall walk with BFF
Friday – AM tennis, mah jongg
Saturday – 6 mile run
Sunday – boating