February 1, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – It was a beautiful night for a run. It actually felt balmy compared to Saturday (high 30s and no wind).

Tuesday – Today was just normal work day with tennis afterward. I finished my scarf and started a new one. But I think the lace pattern is too complicated to do while on the exercise bike. (Third World Problem LOL)

Wednesday – A short run after work before my monthly dinner out with the tennis ladies. I wanted run during the day in the sunshine but it was so windy that I waited.

Look! It’s still light outside.

These dinners out wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t order dessert but I did!!

Thursday – I took a short work in the morning at work because the sun was out (but it didn’t last though.) Again my social life interfered with my running. I had to squeeze in my after work run because I was having dinner out with a co-worker.

Blue sky! Sun, I caught you.

so pretty

Friday – Besides a quick walk to Starbucks, it was a true rest day followed by an evening of mah jongg at my house.

snow!!!!

Saturday – Second rest day in a row. I filled my time with an hair appt, nail appt and lots of errands.

Sunday – Today I participated in HMRRC’s Winter Series #5’s 10 mile race. I really only wanted to run 8 miles but the other choices were to race 4 miles or 20 miles. So it was fast but I got it done and had fun.

21 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (1 week until Half Marathon #17 – TAPER TIME)

Monday – rest, tennis
Tuesday – 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Wednesday – run?, pack!
Thursday – Fly to Florida
Friday – rest, run??
Saturday -rest, packet pick up
Sunday – Sarasota Music Half Marathon

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

January 25, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Had the day off from work so it would have been nice to go for a run but it was so windy and COLD!! Instead, I went to the dentist, did some errands and played tennis in the evening.

Tuesday – Took my morning walk around work. I intended to run outside but the wind turned me into a wuss. I ran 4 miles on the treadmill instead and then met my BFF for a movie (Carol).

2 episodes of Modern Family

Wednesday – A short run after work before yoga. Cold but not as windy as Monday & Tuesday.

photos when Lisa was the teacher. Now I have Maria.

Thursday – Another after work run. It was cold and windier than Wednesday but I just couldn’t face the treadmill.
Friday – Rest day and an evening of mah jongg.
Saturday – The dreaded 12 mile long run. Today was the day! And the snowstorm hit south and missed us. YAY!!! I like to pick a new location for each of my runs so I chose Colonie Town Park. Judy was again nice enough to keep me company on my last 6 miles. And it was freezing but we survived.

Challenge Yourself Virtual 10K race

Sunday – Rest Day. Did a whole bunch of cooking!! Finished my scarf. Finished my puzzle. Watched ice skating on TV. Yes, I stayed home which I NEVER do.

22.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (2 weeks until Half Marathon #17 )

Monday – 4 mile run after work
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, dinner out with tennis ladies
Thursday – 4 mile run, dinner out with a co-worker
Friday – rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday -rest, hair appt
Sunday – HMRRC #5 – 10 mile race

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

January 18, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Took my morning walk around work and then knit on the exercise bike. After work, it was cold and windy but still ventured out for a run before visiting a friend (the one who just had a mastectomy.)

Tuesday – We had a huge holiday brunch for the whole school. Took my afternoon walk around work. After work, I played tennis and went out to dinner after.

Wednesday – Today we had another holiday lunch with my dept at work. The weather was even colder and windy. I still got out to run after work but my hands were frozen and I stopped after 3 miles.

Thursday – Just work today – truly a rest day.

Friday – Warmed up to the 30’s (heat wave!) so did my after work run followed by an evening of mah jongg games.

Saturday – Rain & sleet in the am so glad to be enjoying a rest day. After lots of housework, got bored so went out to do some retail therapy – bought stuff that I didn’t really need but got GREAT deals.

I have a sock obsession – notice that the $40 socks cost a penny and I saved $73.63.

Sunday – Another free race – I ran the 15K and followed it with a few more miles.

course PR for the race

Celebrated our anniversary (which was Saturday) with a dinner at our favorite restaurant.

22.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (3 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – DAY OFF – dentist, tennis
Tuesday – 4 mile run, movie with BFF
Wednesday – rest, yoga
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 12 mile run
Sunday – rest

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

January 11, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – First day back at work after 11 days off. And it was freezing!! No running for me, just 1 1/2 hours of doubles tennis after work

Tuesday – Another freezing day (the coldest of the winter so far) but I bundled up and ran outside after work.

Wednesday – A lot warmer today (30 vs 10). I took a quick run after work before going to a yoga class.

my legs felt great yesterday but today, very sluggish!!

lheartspaceogo

Thursday – Rode the exercise bike at work during lunch. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it (and I was able to KNIT while on it 🙂 ). Went out to dinner with an old friend.

Friday – I had planned to run today but the iffy weekend weather made me skip it. I actually walked for 15 min in the morning and rode the exercise bike for 1/2 hr (while knitting) at lunch.

just walked in circle around the lst floor with a co-worker

Saturday – I had hoped for a relaxing day but since rain was forecast for Sunday, I needed to do my long run instead. I ran 5 by myself and then Judy arrived to run the last 6. Thanks Judy.

The rest of the day was filled with housework and taking doing those holiday decorations finally.

Sunday – Another free race – I had planned to run the 10K and follow it with 3.8 more miles to complete my 10 mile long run. But I had done my long run on Saturday and since it was pouring, I DNSed.

cross-training??

17 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days. (9 miles less than last weeks. Oops)

This Week: (3 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – 4 mile run after work
Tuesday – rest, holiday brunch at work, tennis
Wednesday – holiday lunch at work, 4 mile run after work
Thursday – rest
Friday – 3 mile run, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – rest
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K race + 1.7 more miles

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

January 4, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Ran 5 miles in the morning on the paved rail trail with my running friend Barbara. Finally felt like winter (in the 20’s) and my body was confused. Found it hard to breathe with the colder air but I think it was really that running with Barbara makes me run at a faster pace. Felt good to get out of my comfort zone.

Since I haven’t sat down since last Wednesday, I decided to purchase some toys to help me: wool to knit an infinity scarf, a puzzle and some adult coloring books.

Tuesday – Winter weather continued with our first snow fall (just an inch with some sleet so roads were a mess). I was glad to stay home near my fireplace with my new coloring books, knitting project and puzzle. (Yes, I am trying to relax…) In the evening, I played 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – I had a car appointment in the morning (2 1/2 hours of knitting time) which I followed with a 5 mile run. I was happy for find some place without slush. Afterwards, I went shopping to take advantage of some of those after Christmas sales.

Thursday – A relaxing day followed by a movie and dinner out with the hubby to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Nicole’s in Albany – best dinner I’ve had in a long time!!

Friday – First race of 2016 -a popular local race where I ran the 3.5 mile race. I knew a lot of folks there so it was a fun way to start the year.

After the race, I ran 3.5 more miles around campus.

Saturday – When you’re off all week, there’s not much to catch up on…so I did some cooking and shopping. In the evening, the hubby & I went to ANOTHER movie.

don’t see it unless you like 2.5 hrs of blood.

Sunday – Another long run in preparation for my Feb. 7 half marathon. This time, I ran 10 miles on the Corning bike path. Judy was nice enough to accompany me on 3.5 of them. Afterwards I met my BFF for a walk in the mall.

26 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (4 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – rest, tennis
Tuesday – 4 mile run after work
Wednesday – 3 mile run after work, yoga
Thursday – rest, dinner out with an old friend
Friday – 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #2 10K race + 3.8 more miles

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

December 21, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Ran 3 miles after work and went out to dinner with a co-worker. (We have been planning this for ages.)

just 3 miles this time

Tuesday – Played 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – A quick run followed by a yoga class which I thoroughly enjoyed and must do it more often.

Thursday – It was raining so I had to resort the dreaded treadmill and then I drove to pick up my race packet.

4 torturous miles. Thank God for a new episode of Nashville

Friday – Just a work day and then mah jongg in the evening.

Saturday – Spend Saturday at home for the first time in weeks. Ran a fun but COLD 5k in the evening. (Recap here) Went out to dinner after the race with friends.

not a fast one but a fun one

Sunday – Cooked (yes, me!), did errands and ran 7 miles on the rail trail (because I didn’t get my long run in yesterday.) Then went to dinner and a movie to celebrate my BFF’s birthday.

great film

20 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (6 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – 3 miles, shopping
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles before or during work, hair appt after
Thursday – OFF, 4 miles
Friday – OFF, holiday dinner, movie
Saturday – 8 miles, celebrate my mentee’s b-day
Sunday – tennis holiday party

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY MEALENDERS GIVEWAY!!!

Click HERE.

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

December 18, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Winter Actvities & Runfessions December

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!

This week, the theme is Favorite Winter Activities:

I’ll say it up front. I hate the cold!!

If I didn’t run, I would never go outside.

I don’t ski, snowboard, ice skate, sled, snow shoe…nada!

Keeping that in mind, here are my favorites:

1. Running – I sign up for races & winter half marathons to make me get out the door. I hate the treadmills so unless it’s impossible, I run outside.

2. Tennis (Indoors) – I play doubles once a week. I have a contract on Tuesdays at 6-7:30 pm. The women I play with are wonderful and we always go out to dinner afterwards.

3. Knitting – I am not very experienced but I have made socks and hats. I find it very relaxing especially in the evening by the fire. And you can multi-task – knit, chat & watch TV.

4. Cooking (on the weekends) – I love to make soups, stews, quiches & chili. Since during the week, I work and am busy every evening, I do my cooking for the week on Saturday or Sunday (my non- long run day.)

5. Reading – I’ve always loved to read. I read every night before I go to sleep. I still go the library and take out real books. When I am traveling, I’ll read on my iPad.

Loved these!!! any recommendations?

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

I runfess…

My hubby hates to shop and besides he is an awful gift giver. He always buys me jewelry that I don’t need or like. I used to keep it but now I just return it and pick out something else.

I, on the other hand, love to pick out gifts and always seem to know how to buy the perfect gifts.

So this year, I bought my own gifts – a wall hanger for my medals (my DIY one broke), new bands for my Fitbit and some more SkirtSports items. I think I may even wrap them and open them on Christmas morning.

don’t you love this one?

If I write that I got the best gifts ever, you’ll know why.

I runfess…

I am trying get over that pitiful performance on my last half marathon (but it’s hard when friends are still asking you how it went) by thinking ahead to the next one.

On February 7, I will try to redeem myself – that is if it is not warm , windy and humid in Florida. But I plan to have a better attitude about the whole thing and just enjoy running it. I know the course is awesome and I can’t wait to spend 6 days in Florida with friends (while it is freezing here).

relaxing in the sun at Boca Grande beach

March 2013 in Sarasota. looking for sunshine this trip.

But I am still mulling over what I could have done differently so I don’t have a repeat performance. Is this normal? How long does it take to forget a race?

I runfess…

I am disappointed that for the 2nd year in a row I didn’t get into the lottery for the NYC Half Marathon. I really wanted to run that race. If only I were faster, (I think 2:05 finish time), I could automatically get in.

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Any suggestions for a late March, early April half marathon???

The other spring halfs that I was considering are Brooklyn Half Marathon and the Steel Rail Half Marathon. I don’t have the time or money to fly all over the place (& my hubby wouldn’t go) so I like to pick ones that are nearby. They are both May 21, 2016.

Normally that would be doable and fall right after my tennis vacation in Naples. But this year, exams where I work don’t end until May 15 so my tennis vacation will be later and I will be away during those races.

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love running but love these ladies more

Only for a second (sorry tennis ladies), I thought about bailing. But I love my friends and now, my hopes lie with the VCM Relay. I hope AJH is lucky again this year.

May 29, 2016

I runfess…

My sweet tooth is going crazy. Christmas cookies!! They’re everywhere!! I can’t stop. I need a support group.

Happy Running! What are some of your favorite winter activities? Anything to Runfess?

December 14, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Got up early and went to a short run/walk around the G’s community (in Jupiter, FL).

Then G & I walked along the beach (windy, cloudy but no rain), visited a turtle refuge and a thrift shop.

After a late lunch, G drove me to the airport in West Palm.

Tuesday – Played 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – Planned to run before work but it was raining. So after work, I could have gone to yoga or see tennis great, Venus Williams at UAlbany but instead I chose to run. Afterwards went to the mall to do some holiday shopping.

around Albany campus

Thursday – Ran after work and then met my bff for a walk around the mall.

the law school where I work

Friday – Just a work day and then mah jongg in the evening.

celebrating a fellow mah jongg player’s b-day

Saturday – Ran a 5k race close to my house. After the race, I ran some more miles on the nearby (unpaved) rail trail for a total of 10 for the day. The weather was perfect. I didn’t want to stop running. The rest of the day was filled with errands and catching up on the housework that I didn’t do last weekend.

28:16 – 2nd in my AG (but only medal for 1st)

Sunday – Annual holiday visit to NYC with friends. After we arrived by bus, we walked to a restaurant to have brunch. Then continued our walking to see more of the holiday decorations. Next we took a 2 hour walking food tour of Greenwich Village followed by more of NYC by night around the Rockefeller Center area before heading home by train. Long, tiring (24k steps) but fun day.

28 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (7 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – 3 miles, dinner out with a co-worker
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 miles after work, yoga
Thursday – 4 miles after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k night race
Sunday – 5 miles, dinner & movie for bff’s b-day

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

December 8, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update a Day Late & Giveaway Winner

Last Week:

Monday– Taper week has begun. Ran 3 miles at UAlbany and then met my BFF at Starbucks (instead of our usual mall walk).

Tuesday – Played 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – Planned to run before work but it was raining so ran 3 miles after work instead…on the treadmill. UGH!!

Thursday – Did my last run before my race – 3 miler after work through the lights in the park.

Friday – Got up at the crack of dawn for a 5:30 am flight. No travel delays and arrived in West Palm at 11:30 am. My friend F picked me up at the airport and we went straight to the expo to pick up my bib.

champagne & lots of freebies at the outdoor expo

Rain was predicted for the whole weekend and had rained before I arrived, we drove straight to the beach and then we went out to lunch. I spent the evening reminiscing with beer & pizza with my good friend M.

Saturday – Got in a walk before the rain. Since it was raining, we went to a flea market and then out to lunch. When the rain stopped, we visited 2 wildlife sanctuaries. Then my friend F drove me to West Palm to my hotel.

Sunday – A miracle! None of the predicted rain arrived. Instead, gusty winds, heat & humidity. Nothing hurt yet it was still one of my slowest half marathons ever. But I finished upright and happy inspite of having a difficult race.

Met my friend G after the race and we drove to her place in Jupiter. Then we decided (my idea) to visit a lighthouse and climb to the top. Afterwards we had lunch and then returned to her house in Jupiter. Spent the evening hanging out with one of her friends.

Monday – Got up early and went to a short run/walk around the neighborhood. Then G & I walked along the beach (windy, cloudy but no rain), visited a turtle refuge and a thrift shop. After a late lunch, G drove me to the airport in West Palm.

23 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (8 weeks until Half Marathon #18)

Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 miles after work, yoga
Thursday – 4 miles after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + 4-5 miles
Sunday – trip to NYC

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

And I am linking up with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for:

This week’s topic is: Expos.

As you read, I went to one over the weekend. (I didn’t buy anything. I was going to buy myself a hat after the race if I ran well, but I didn’t. 😦 )

And most importantly, the winner is…

Sharon Mooney

Congrats!!!!!

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

November 30, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Today was my last 3 mile run with my Turkey Trot Challenge Group. Neither of coaches showed up so we were on our own. Instead of intervals, we ran a SPEEDY 3.3 miles (Boy, those ladies are fast I struggled big time to keep up.)

3.3 fast miles – race pace for me (not the others)

Tuesday – Just a normal work day with a lunchtime walk and played 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – I had the day off from work. I used it to cook for the holiday and squeezed in a yoga class in the middle.

2nd yoga class this month! WooHoo!

Thursday – First I ran a 10K race and then for fun I did the 5k after with friends. I spent the rest of the day cooking since I was bringing Thanksgiving dinner over to my MIL’s that evening.

59:33 – not one of my best

31:28 – one of my slowest

this was happening in my house & I ran 9.3 miles and had to cook

and squash leek soup

gotta have pumpkin pie for dessert

Friday – Another day off and I did NOT go shopping. I rested from my 9.3 miles the day before (except for a quite 1 mile cuz it was 65 degrees outside) and made turkey soup (what else?) I did go out in the evening to play mah jongg .
Saturday – I did debate going to a 5K race but decided against it and to rest another day. Besides it was cold and rainy. I did decorate the house for the holidays so it wasn’t so restful. In the evening, I went to the movies with a friend.

snowmen everywhere

Sunday – Today I did my last long run. I ran 2 miles and then Judy & I ran 6 miles together on the rail trail. And in the evening, I took Amanda (my mentee) and her sons out to dinner and then to the Holiday Lights in the Park.

21.6 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days.