October 31, 2013 by Darlene

October Recap

Still running and still healthy! YAY!

october-month-halloween

OCTOBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! YES

in the neighborhood before work

rail trail runs

park runs

Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!! YES, 3-4 days each week.
Start daily planks! NOT EXACTLY. I did a few.
Attend a yoga class! YES, I went to 2…it’s a start!
Complete a half marathon. YES!!! Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon.

Run at least 2 other races. YES!! Race for the Cure 5K and Monster Scramble 10K.

Race for Cure 5K

Monster Scramble 10K

Continue running longer on the weekend. YES!!
Nisky Bike Path for long runs
Run at least 50 miles this month. YES!! 70!

back to healthy running

Unfortunately boating season on Lake George ended. But we had quite a few good fall weekends.

It was also a theatre month. I went to NYC to see Matilda on Broadway and saw Les Miserables TWICE locally.

October was also a month for eating out in restaurants. I usually do not eat out much. But this month I ate out quite an inordinate number of times and in new restaurants:

Helsinki in Hudson, NY

Barrettas in Warrensburg, NY
Smiths in Cohoes, NY
Glass House Tavern in NYC
The View in Lake George
Milanos in Latham (3x)
Recovery Room in Albany
Hidden Cafe in Delmar
Caseys in Rensselaer, NY (this one was not new)
Burger King (not new obviously)

I am playing tennis on a regular basis since I am in 2 half contracts. So, it is no longer a goal. This month I played 6 times!! I find it more a social thing. I like the ladies I play with but it is doubles so not that much of a workout. However, I am sometimes annoyed that I have to schedule my running around it. So far, I haven’t done both in one day.

Now that boating and half marathon training is done, I was able to get together with my mentee, Amanda and her sons. We went on our annual excursion to Ellms Family Farm.

NOVEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!!
Start daily planks!
Attend 2 yoga classes!
Complete a 15k race.
Run at least one other race.
Continue running longer on the weekends.
Run a new route.
Run at least 50 miles this month.

Happy Running! How was your October? Anything exciting planned for November?

October 13, 2013 by Darlene

Last Boating Weekend of 2013

Yup. This was it. Our marina closed today.

Lucky for us, the weekend weather was just PERFECT.

My hubby went up early yesterday. I had other things to do like picking up my race packet at the expo.

I actually didn’t buy anything tough I was tempted. Then I went grocery shopping & did some laundry.

The weather was too beautiful to waste so I drove up to the marina. I was hoping to relax and take my mind off my race. (I did relax.)

We went to Commission Point and hung out with another couple & their daughter.

Linda & daughter Rachel

We barbecued shish kebabs and sat in the sun.

Ron & hubby cooking & dancin

A great way to spend the day.

hubby & me (yes I am wearing my half marathon shirt)

When we got back to the marina, we decided to go out to dinner. (I needed to carb load, right?) We went to a great restaurant that the other couple always go to. I shared escargots, had tortellini marsala with chicken (enough for 2) and shared creme brule. Yes, I was stuffed.

Since we had two cars, my hubby decided not to sleep on the boat but to drive home with me and take me to my race the next day. YAY!

spoiler alert – I finished – more about it tomorrow

My hubby was waiting for me near the finish line. As soon as I was done, we took off for the lake.

leaving the marina

Yes, another perfect day. Today we decided to go for a picnic on West Dollar Island. It is my hubby’s favorite spot.

The same couple joined us. We cooked sausage & burgers and had pumpkin cream roll for dessert.

my view (I still had my compression socks on…)

We hung out for a while even after Ron & Linda left.

there we sat.

Well, I guess all good things must end. Back in 7 months!

August 21, 2013 by Darlene

Racing or Vacation or Both

My friend said that this was me.

She is right, of course.

Allentown, PA

Sarasota, FL

Santa Clarita , CA

Naples, FL

I even registered for this race (just in case I visit friends there.) But that looks unlikely due to…see below.

Jan 5, 2014 – Palm Coast, FL.

And my latest excuse is that a friend just moved to Palm Springs, CA.

Remember Mary, my running, ice cream buddy

So guess where I am going? (January 8-13, 2014)

Here’s the description:

Join the Mayor of Palm Springs for one of the most scenic runs you will ever experience. The race is part of Mayor Steve Pougnet’s commitment to health and reducing childhood obesity. See the uptown, downtown, historic buildings, parks and the scenic mountain views. There is a race for everyone of every age. Come join the fun! Every registrant receives a hot breakfast and finisher’s medal!

Raffle prizes, food samples, and a fun flat course make this one of the best! Prizes for every age division. Commemorative photo and medal for every 5K and 10 Mile finisher! Breakfast is included! Join us at the Pre-Race Spaghetti Dinner the night before.

5K or 10 miler??

Happy Running! Do you plan your vacations around races??

July 20, 2013 by Darlene

Change of Scenery

I love love Lake George.

what’s not to love?

But my friend has a house on Schroon River and she organizes several weekends there every summer. We play tennis, hike, swim, play games and “bond.” She is a close friend so I get invited to all her planned weekends.

view of the Schroon from her house

A few weekends ago, she invited me to “The Monday Tennis group weekend.” I used to play tennis with them and I will again in the fall but I decided instead to spend the weekend on our boat (since my foot made me miss several weekends on it.)

floated around all weekend in my “chair”

This weekend is another one – she calls it this one the “Tuesday Tennis group.” This is another group I used to play with and I will again in the fall. (In August, there will be the “Travel Tennis” group and in September, the “Mah Jongg” group.)

pic from last year

What I sometimes do is split the weekend between the boat & the river house.

I am not playing tennis yet but it is a beautiful place to run/walk.

during a run last year

So I am headed North… to a place where there is water and pretty scenery. I am playing it by ear (and trying not to think about the races I am missing ..Silks and Satins 5K is today…boo hoo)

Plus… I HAVE MONDAY OFF!

Happy Running!

July 15, 2013 by Darlene

The Last Non-Running Weekend on the Lake?

Running soon??

Maybe?

Anyway, this past weekend was a HOT one. No better place to be but on the lake.

Blogging has introduced me to some remarkable people. One, for example, is Christa from Livin’ a Little Life. (Check out her blog if you haven’t.) She and her family camp frequently on Lake George so since I knew where she was this weekend, me & the hubby stopped to say hello on Saturday.

me & Christa

Then we spent the rest of the day on floats in the water.

some of our marina friends

me & my hubby

For dinner, we went to the same lakeside restaurant as last weekend.

Blue Water Manor

When we got back, I went for a SLOW walk to the Sagamore. It’s not far but my fitness has escaped me in the past 6 weeks. I barely made it there and back and was really tired afterwards.

We spent the rest of the evening in our air-conditioned marina watching a movie with the crew – Admissions with Tina Fey – quite entertaining!

Sunday morning would normally be this:

last summer running on 9N in Bolton Landing

But instead, I went on a friend’s boat as spotter for his daughter who wanted to go tubing.

It was another HOT humid day and we spent it the same way as Saturday – floating around in the water…eating…drinking…listening to music and goofing around.

yes, our friend’s husband caught a large SNAPPING turtle

For dinner, instead of spending a lot of money for dinner with a view, we docked at an island and cooked hot dogs.

still a nice view but a lot cheaper

Sadly, my hubby & I had to put the boat away and head home. Of course, I stopped for one last treat – ice cream at Stewart’s. (new flavor: NoRegretzel – I recommend it!!)

So will I be running soon????

taken during a run last summer…

Happy Running! How is your running going? Hope you are surviving the heat!

July 8, 2013 by Darlene

Broken Foot – Weeks 4 & 5

Many people are blaming me for the weather. It has rained almost every day +since I broke my foot. (Sorry no sympathy here).

So what’s new in my exciting life?

a girls learns some secrets while her sister, a famous runner, lies in a coma

Finished reading The Kitchen House, While My Sister Sleeps, Firefly Lane. (Does reading sad books make you feel better when you are depressed??) Started The Paris Wife & Revenge Wears Prada.
Finished watching PBS’ Call the Mid-Wife season 1 and started season 2. (not as great as Downton Abbey but the characters do grow on you)
Actually watched a live TV show (that never happens thanks to DVR and ipad apps) – America’s Got Talent – highlight: an amazing singing trio who met online and performed for the 1st time on the show – Anyone see it?
Found out that my foot is not completely healed but got permission to wear real shoes, use a stationary bike and treadmill.
Won a $50 gift certificate at work (to a local restaurant)
Went out to dinner at a new neighborhood buffet and there was a power failure (don’t really like buffets…you eat too much because you feel that you have to get your money’s worth)
Started knitting again – Socks – what else?
Used the stationary bike TWICE at work and I sweat (yes and that is huge.)
Walked to Starbucks during a work break (yes, walked all the way across the street)

green tea frappuccino – yum! – I got a skinny one

Spent 4 days on Lake George — picnicked with friends on the 4th

watched the fireworks from our boat at the marina

the weather was HOT and steamy with a shower & rainbow almost everyday

Rode on ours friends’ pontoon

cooled off in the several bays (even figured out how to get up the boat ladder with one foot)

slept on our boat and saw some awesome sunrises

ended the weekend with some lakeside dining

Happy Running! Did you do anything fun this past weekend? Like run?

May 28, 2013 by Darlene

Back on Track

Because I work, I need to schedule all my runs to make myself accountable. I used to each Monday post an update of the previous week and then plan the current week. I have not done that since APRIL 7!!

I got off track during the A-Z blogging challenge and then my birthday and of course, vacation but now I am back…..

week-in-review11-1s6ozv2

Last 2 Weeks’ Update:

8 day tennis vacation starting Wed!

Mon – rest
Tues – 3 mile run
Wed – rest – fly to Naples
Thurs – tennis
Fri – 3 mile run, tennis
Sat – rest
Sun – 3 mile run, tennis

running on vacation = hard to fit in

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – 3 mile run, tennis, fly home from Naples
Thurs – rest
Fri – 4 miles (TM), mah jongg
Sat – rest
Sun – 6 mile run

2 1/2 of tennis = ?? miles

This coming week:

Monday – rest, boating
Tuesday – 4 mile run
Wednesday – 3 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile run, Mother Runner party at Fleetfeet
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race (+ 4??)
Sunday – trip to NYC

Happy Running! Do you schedule your runs?

May 24, 2013 by Darlene

Foto Friday

Since it is cold and rainy and my running looks like it will be non-existent (or on the treadmill 😦 ), I thought I’d post some photos from my recent tennis vacation in Naples, Florida (where it was hot and sunny. 🙂 )

we always take a picture outside this restaurant each year

after our last dinner out

during one of my three 3-mile runs

one of the dolphins we saw

on a water taxi ride

1st day of tennis play & lessons

during our sunset cruise

on Palm Island

group photo on our last day of tennis lessons

Happy Running! Any running or racing planned for the weekend?

May 23, 2013 by Darlene

Need a Vacation From My Vacation

the “group” – 9th Naples vacation together

Yes, I am back and I am exhausted. I will post pics later this week.

Here is a summary by the numbers:

7 = the number of times I played doubles in tennis (1 1/2 hours ea)
5 = the number of tennis clinics attended (1 hour ea)
2 = the number of afternoons spent at the pool
2 = the number of boat rides (dolphins seen on both)
1 = the number of sunsets viewed
3 = the number of 3 mile runs
2 = the number of lunches in restaurants
7 = the number of dinners in restaurants
5 = the number of afternoons spent at the beach
8 = the number of sunshiny HOT HUMID days
9 = the number of items bought (4 tops on sale, 1 pair of shorts on sale, 2 shirts for hubby on sale, 2 pairs of tennis shoes)

on Palm Island

My friends are great. I have a renewed enthusiasm for tennis. I am so glad I forced myself to do a little running.

Back to reality…. work, laundry, rain, cooler temps…

Happy Running! What is new with you? What did I miss?

May 14, 2013 by Darlene

Vitamin D – Part 4

Yes, this is my fourth (and last) trip to Florida. (It’s not Disney-inspired, or visiting old friends or even to run a half marathon. It’s to play tennis and do some female-bonding.)

Tomorrow I leave for the tennis ladies’ 9th trip together to Naples, Florida. (For some of us, this is our 17th tennis trip – 1 Palm Springs, 5 Las Vegas, 1 Dominican Rep, 1 Delray Beach.)