April 22, 2012 by Darlene

Looking Forward to May…

I bet you are tired of me whining about my ankle & how I can’t run….

Yeah, me too!

So I’ll talk about how excited I am about May (and it has unfortunately nothing to do with running.)

1. Anna is coming to the US. In April 2002, 2004 & 2006, I participated in a teacher program where we went to Kursk, Russia to visit schools & we stayed with a family. My family was Anna. So I haven’t seen her since 2006. The last time she came to the US was 2003.

hiking in Vt during her 2003 visit

I am going to see her in NYC on May 5 and then she is staying with me on May 6. I am super excited to see her again.

2. I am going to Naples, Fla for the annual tennis ladies trip. Although I can’t play tennis, I loves Naples and the beach and the warm weather.

at the beach 🙂

group photo at "The Dock"

I will be there May 8-15. Can’t wait for this vacation!

3. It’s the beginning of the Lake George boating season.

Our marina opens on May 15. We may not stay there until Memorial Day weekend

4. Lastly, my birthday is May 9!!

Happy Running! What is your favorite month?

December 27, 2011 by Darlene

Day Two of Vacation…Loving it

Not that I don’t love working but I can get used to this!

Usually when I take off from work, it is to go somewhere.

The week between Christmas and News Years, I am off (though I was tempted to go somewhere warm), and we decided to stay home. And I have nothing to do except:

Run – 5 miles Monday and 3 miles Tuesday
Play Tennis – doubles Monday eve and doubles Tuesday eve
Catch up with friends…at Starbucks
Yes, I ate both cake pops

Shop for bargains– half price dress at TJMaxx and at Sears and even more…I love sales!!!
bargain dresses - one for New Year's Eve & one for Gala Jan 28

Read– free ebook on my iPad and Catching Fire (book 2 of the Hunger Games trilogy)

I may do more of the above the rest of the week but I really should do grocery shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning, re-organgizing…

Then I won’t mind going back to work on Monday!!! Ha Ha!

Happy Running! Do you have the week off? What are you going with your free time?

December 26, 2011 by Darlene

Last Week in Review – Holiday Staycation Begins

Monday – 1.5 hours tennis
Tuesday – 3.5 mile run at lunch, 1.5 hours tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, 1.25 hours yoga
Thursday – 5 mile run, another birthday celebration – OFF FROM WORK UNTIL JAN 2!
Friday – REST
Saturday – 8 mile run
Sunday – REST

Happy Running!

November 14, 2011 by Darlene

Last Week in Review & an Unplanned 15K

Monday – 5 miles walking in Van Nuys, Ca
Tuesday – many miles walking in Santa Monica, Ca
Wednesday – REST
Thursday – 4 mile run (day off from work)
Friday – 3 mile run after work
Saturday – REST
Sunday – 9.4 miles – Stockeade-athon 15K

Happy Running!

November 11, 2011 by Darlene

Santa Clarita Half Marathon Post Race Report

Unfortunately my host, Ellen, had to work the next day. In fact, she had to work until 10pm.

That left me with the whole day free. After a leisurely breakfast combined with blog reading, I put on my running shoes. Nope. I didn’t go running… My legs felt ok but my feet were a little sore. I decided instead to go for a walk…a long walk it turned out to be – with periodic stops for nourishment…cafe latte and a bagel…pumpkin yogurt.

roses in bloom in Nov!

tempting pastries

self serve yogurt

When I got home I spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool with my feet in the cold water while reading a book.

aaaahhh

I couldn’t put it down!!!

I forgot to mention that the weather was gorgeous … Unlike race day!!!!

Before I left for CA, thanks to Facebook, I discovered that 2 of my former French students lived nearby so we planned to meet. Actually I let them make the plans. Maeghan picked me up and drove to Long Beach to meet Erin. We decided that it would be a propos to eat in a French restaurant. Erin’s pick of La Creperie was perfect! We hadn’t connected in 18 years so we spent several hours catching up and eating delicious crepes. We even shared a huge dessert crepe among the 3 of us.

me, Maeghan & Erin

The next morning, I did don my running clothes but that’s all. I didn’t run although I seriously considered it. I decided it was more important to go sightseeing on my last day. Google maps helped me plan my trip to Santa Monica. Yeah, I didn’t have a car and Ellen had to work but as a capable adult, I could take 2 buses by myself and safely get to & from Santa Monica.

And I did! It was fun.

I had lunch on Santa Monica pier, walked around & even watched students in the trapeze school.

tribute to Forest Gump

I took a long walk along the beach. It was cool but sunny. PERFECT!!

Then sat near Muscle beach and watched all the runners on the bike path. I even made friends with an iguana named “Green.”

lots of hunky guys exercising

Yeah, I got the running urge. So I bought an ice cream cone and walked into town to catch my bus back.

Oh, did I mention that the weather was gorgeous except for race day.

The day ended with dinner in a Mexican restaurant. I was told that you have to eat Mexican when in CA. They were right. Dinner was great so was the Cadillac margarita and fried ice cream.

yum!

So now, I’m back East … Home from my destination race vacation.

Yes, everything didn’t go as planned. But I’m glad that I went.

Happy Running! Happy Veteran’s Day!

November 9, 2011 by Darlene

Santa Clarita Half Marathon Pre-Race Report

Friday night, I arrived in LA after a LONG uneventful flight. The 3 hr time gain was helpful as Ellen & I stayed up for awhile and chatted. I hadn’t seen Ellen since her sister’s wedding in 1975!!!

Ellen's house in Van Nuys

Saturday am we got up early and headed to the expo to pick up our race packets. It was a beautiful sunny day -a little cool but a perfect day for a race. Unfortunately the race was on Sunday when RAIN was predicted!!

Ellen & I with our bibs

I got a cool tech shirt & a bag

I tried to put that horrible thought out of my mind and let Ellen become my personal tour guide. She was great and drove me past all the famous sites of LA.

I even got to have a carb-loaded pasta lunch in Beverly Hills.

Of course, several times Ellen suggested that I buy something to wear in case it rains for the race. I chose to be optimistic – weather.com said 30% chance of showers. That’s 70% chance of no showers!

I ordered some more carbs – French toast – at dinner and I was set or so I thought at the time.

wearing our race shirts that we weren't racing in

Ellen and I spent the rest of the evening organizing our race outfits before heading to bed early for a early wake up…

To be continued…

Happy Running!

October 9, 2011 by Darlene

End of the Boating Season & Last Long Run in BL

Today was bittersweet. We have had the best weather this summer (& fall) for boating. But you never want it to end…Do you think the sign above was for me??

I got up this morning very tired…not enough sleep but the weather was perfect…(well, maybe a little warm for this time of year, but who’s complaining?)

breakfast at the marina before my run

I was planning 11 miles but would settle for 10.

I decided to do the first half around the Sagamore Hotel.

view from the bridge heading to the Sagamore

waiting for customers...I was tempted

view of the lake & a little fall foliage

View from the Nature Trail at the Sagamore

With only one frost, most of the leaves were GREEN. Definitely not peak colors…

Then I ran through the town of Bolton Landing which was very CROWDED…garage sales…crafts fair, etc. I did stumble upon some interesting sights.

Yes, he's real

a bufferfly among the mums

As I passed the marina, I was pooped already and it was hot…I ate some gu & took a swig of water and continued down 9N south for the rest of my run. I was running SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. I told my hubby I’d be done in 2 hours… oh no…

I ran down through the cemetery and then headed toward the lake. It was beautiful, as usual. I just had no energy.

along my running route

me running in one of the neighborhoods on the lake

The time forced me to head back to the marina as not to be late. Unfortunately, it is UPHILL on the way back.

I did 10.5 miles instead of 11 at a snail’s pace but got it done!!

My hubby was waiting so I hopped on the boat and we spent the rest of the day on Commisssion Pt Island with a whole group of friends and friends of friends.

the gang toasting our last island picnic of the season

And I was able to drink, finally. I discovered a way to add alcohol to my Root Beer Float addiction.

whipped cream vodka & root beer

Awesome!! You can use orange soda & it tastes like a creamsicle..

We hung out as late as possible … I have to work tomorrow 😦

view of the Sagamore & the moon from our marina

Of course, we stopped on the way home for a real (ice cream) Root beer Float!!!

Until next year….

Happy Running! Happy Columbus Day!

October 8, 2011 by Darlene

Indian Summer

Weekend Weather Forecast

Yup. Summer is back!

I don’t mind. I love it! I know it won’t last. Soon I’ll be complaining about the cold.

So instead of racing Saturday am, I headed up to Lake George for the weekend with my hubby.

The weather was as good as predicted…

We spent a relaxing day on Commission Pt Island with friends.

Of course, I was planning a long run for the next day so no alcohol for me. We gladly accepted an invitation for dinner at a friend’s. They were serving pasta!!

Happy Running! Good Luck to Those Racing!

September 18, 2011 by Darlene

Boats, Jazz, Running & Pirates

We listened to jazz from out boats last year and it was fun so we thought we’d do it again. The weather cooperated. It was sunny but cool so we decided not to listen from our boat but to drive to Lake George Village and meet our friends and listen there.

First we walked around the Boat Show that was at the public docks.

Then we went out to lunch at The Lookout restaurant which has a great view of the lake as well as great burgers. Then we headed to the Jazz Fest to listen for awhile.

Afterward, we headed up to Bolton Landing to put our boat in the water (that’s where we would be sleeping) and then back to our friends in the village for an evening of cards and watching the fireworks from their deck.

The next morning I headed out for my long run. Unfortunately, my energy level was low (I hadn’t had dinner the nite before & didn’t get a lot of sleep).

I decided to repeat my 9N South route and but to take a different detour than last week. The weather couldn’t have been better – sunny & cool (& not as cool as I was dressed for.)

Route 9N So

photo stop

and a tree house

the beautiful lake

heading back to 9N

The run was fun because of the beautiful scenery. I covered about 8.5 miles in total with a lot of stops for photos. I was fine until around 6 miles & then the lack of food & sleep took over and my pace slowed.

It is Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept 19 but we decided to celebrate a day early.

When I returned from my run, we headed out to Commission Pt Island to meet our friends.

waiting for the "Pirates"

Here we are - Aaaargh!

me & the hubbs

the party's over

Good-bye "Pirates"

As usual, it was a fun-filled day! Lots of fun, food, drink, laughter, etc…

One week until my Half Marathon – gulp!

Happy Running! Are you sad to see summer end?

September 12, 2011 by Darlene

Boating & My Running Mojo

The Boating season is winding down and the Running season is gearing up.

Although I am running again, the heel pain still persists. Not so much while I am running but before & after. This fact allows me to run but makes me be very cautious when I run. It also makes me sad as I cross off races from my calendar 😦 But at least I AM RUNNING!

The sunshine came out finally on Friday after a week of rain. After work, I had to choose between my weekly Mah Jongg game (which I LOVE) or a longish run.

Yes, my Running Mojo is back – I ran 5 miles around the park. I hadn’t run there since Mother’s Day when the park boasted thousands of beautiful tulips. I was surprised at how nicely it was landscaped & wished I had brought my camera.

Saturday, we headed up to Bolton Landing to spend the weekend on Lake George. It wasn’t going to be warm but it was going to be dry!!

We spend the day with lots of boating friends at a new spot – near the Ranger Station on Long Island. We didn’t swim but had lots of fun!!

In the evening we headed to the village to watch the Car Show parade (There were thousands of vintage cars on display this weekend) and fireworks. I could care less about the cars but the guys were in their glory oohing and aahing.

Afterwards we battled the traffic & returned to the marina to sleep on the boat. Mind you it was 53 degrees & I could have sleep at 3 different friends’ houses in Lake George village. Well, you know why I returned to the boat.

Sunday morning, I woke up early to go on a long run. Long run for me is only 7 miles but I knew it still would be a challenge.

I wanted to take a new route as I always run around the Sagamore hotel. I decided to run south on 9N. It was a little chilly so I put on a jacket (Big mistake, I was warm in 5 min) and took along my camera.