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August Recap

Can’t believe the summer has gone by so quickly!!! And it’s already September…

So how did this past month go?

August Goals:

  • Run 3-4 times each week. Yes! 

I tried to vary my runs.  I get bored so I just pick different times and places for each one.

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  • Start longer runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15. Yes!

I have gotten up to 10 miles. None were exceptional but that’s the way they always are.  Many were add-ons after races too.

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  • Walk at work on days that I don’t run. No!!! Too busy at work.

I lost my walking buddy so I have to be motivated to do it on my own.  I AM NOT. This is a busy time of year at work and I just can’t tear myself away.  

  • Go to the gym at least once a week. No! Started to but that ended quickly…

I started going once a week but life just got in the way.

  • Run before work to avoid the heat. Yes! Often.

The summer heat has forced me into this.  My neighborhood is not exciting so I have searched out some others.

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  • Run a race or 2. Yes! Two 5ks and one 10K. Won 3rd, 2nd and 1st in my AG.

It’s no secret that I love to race.  It’s the only time I can get my legs to move.  Not ideal for half marathon training but I’m not one to follow traditional plans.

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  • Run at least 75 miles. Yes! 86 miles!!

Finally some decent monthly mileage…those long runs helped here.

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  • Spend time with my mentee & sons. Yes!

I have slacked off since she is working a lot and has a boyfriend.  I hadn’t seen her since May so we were long over due. I plan to see them much more often in the fall.

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What else?

  • Spent lots of time on Lake George

Love our boat and our boating friends.  Lake George is the most beautiful lake in the country and the weekend weather has cooperated this summer.  Yay!

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  • Went to the track and actually won

For my former co-worker and I, this is an annual tradition.  We have gone to breakfast at the race track for over 30 years.  This year since I had the day off, we stayed for the races and I was incredibly lucky.

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  • Saw Jimmy Buffet in concert.

Friends turned me and the hubby on to Jimmy. We went to our first concert last year and vowed to repeat this awesome experience every year.  It’s even more fun with friends.

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  • Spent a weekend with my tennis friends on Schroon River

Another annual thing. About 10 of us gather at a house on the river to play tennis and have fun every summer.

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September Goals:

  • Run 3-4 times each week.
  • Continue the long runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15.
  • Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
  • Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
  • Take a yoga class.
  • Start doing planks again.
  • Pick a spring half marathon.
  • Run at least 90 miles.

Happy Running! How was your August?  Anything exciting planned for September?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Core Strength

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life! 

This week, the theme is Core Strength

This post is “Do as I say not as I do.”

I don’t do much besides run. I am glad to find time to do that.

It’s not that I think it is a waste of time but for me, it’s not a priority.  I’ve never had any knee or hip pain (yet) so I’ve put core strength exercises on the back burner.

That being said, if I had the time and the money, I would do yoga more. I think it is great for improving flexibility and your core strength.

in 2011, I used to go to classes weekly

So if you don’t have the money to take a yoga class, there are other ways to get  your yoga in:

Online Videos:

Apps:

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Online Resources:

Truthfully, I enjoy going to a yoga class a lot more than doing it at home.  I get a lot more out of it.  There is someone to correct my poses.  It is more social. And there is no temptation to skip it when you are signed up and paying.

Happy Running! What do you do strengthen your core?

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Runfessions February

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions.  This my second Runfessions post.  Maybe I will continue to do this monthly.

Most of my Runfessions from last month repeated themselves except that I didn’t eat ice cream this month.

This month has been very very cold. In fact, the coldest, ever!!!

Here are my Runfessions:

1.  I was not very good about the Take the Leap 30 Day Yoga Challenge.

I had good intentions and I love yoga.

So I started out well but it went down from there.

I watched some videos, I downloaded some apps.

But I really prefer going to classes and I didn’t get to any. The one I like is on Wednesdays and Saturdays and I always seem to have something more important to do.

Some days, I have just done a one minute plank and a few quick stretches.

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Finally, I quit it all. Nada.

2. I hate the treadmill so much that yesterday, I suffered rather than use it.

I had planned to run on the treadmill so I didn’t bring my warmest outdoor running clothes.

Luckily I forgot my clothes at work (and you know that I have no qualms about re-wearing running clothes.)

The day before it was almost 30 degrees so I didn’t bring my fleece-line tights nor did I have an extra shirt or warmer hat.

Yesterday, it was 18 and single digits with the wind chill.  Out I went. I thought that it wouldn’t be so bad.

The good news is that it was my fastest run in a long time.  The bad news is that I froze.  I was cold the whole time.  I couldn’t feel my face or my fingers by the time I was done.

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Still… better than the treadmill.

3.  I can’t stop myself from signing up for races.

If I am supposed to training for a half marathon in April and then one in June, why am I signing up for short races???

It messes up my weekend long runs… but I love racing, I guess.

  • 3-07-15 – Shamrock 5K (Palm Springs, CA)
  • 3-14-15 – Runnin of the Green 4 m
  • 3-22-15  – Shamrock Shuffle 5m
  • 3-29-15 – Delmar Dash 5m
  • 4-04-15 – Rabbit Ramble 4m ?? (if I’m not away for Passover)
  • 4-11-15 – Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
  • 4-18-15 – Asbury Park Half Marathon* (in NJ)
  • 4-26-15 – Cherry Blossom 5k
  • 5-02-15 – Spring Run Off 15K
  • 5-09-15 – Mastodon 15k
  • 5-10-15 – Mother’s Day 5K (for GOTR)
  • 5-30-15 – Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k
  • 6-07-15 – Betar Byway 5K
  • 6-13-15 – Walkway Half Marathon*
  • 6-21-15 – Adirondack Distance 10m

Well, that’s it for now.

Happy Running!  Have any Runfessions to share?

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Back to Yoga?

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My anniversary?  Who knew? I took my first class there in 2011.

this was when Lisa taught there. Now there’s Maria who is good too.

I went often in 2011 and then again in 2013 but only several times in 2014.

Maybe this is a hint to start again.

Especially since I signed up for the 30 Day Yoga Challenge.

With working and running and tennis, I can’t just find a yoga class that fits my schedule so I decided to do some yoga poses at home.

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my yoga studio

There are quite a few online videos that are really good.

Of course, this works great on a snow day or the weekend.

Otherwise,  I have been doing a very abbreviated yoga class.  I downloaded few apps and do yoga for about 5 minutes before work or before bed.

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Here are some more good resources:

Truthfully, I enjoy going to a yoga class a lot more than doing it at home.  I get a lot more out of it.  There is someone to correct my poses.  It is more social.

But this is cheaper and I can fit it in whenever. The problem is that there is a big temptation to skip it when you are not signed up and paying.

But for at least 30 days, I have been trying to get in 5 minutes of yoga each week day.

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I have not been posting to Instagram or Facebook. I would if I looked as good as everyone else who is posting.  I am just NOT FLEXIBLE… at all!

One more week to go!! Namaste!

Happy Running! Have you been doing the yoga challenge?

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Friday Five: Fitness Snapshots

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Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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: Fitness Snapshots

1. Tennis – 1 1/2 hours of doubles this week (inside)

2. Walking – 9 1/2 laps of the building – it is still too cold to go outside.

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3. Treadmill – still too cold & icy sometimes to run outside. I ran on the treadmill TWICE this week.

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this podcast is getting me through the runs

4. Yoga – I didn’t actually go to a yoga class but I am doing a few poses each day.

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5. Running – yes, I did run outside in the cold too.  Brrr!

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Happy Running! How did you keep active this week?

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#TakeTheLeap with #Prana and #SweatPink Yoga Challenge!

Time for another Mad Lib!!!
When I think about yoga, the first thought that comes to mind is flexibility. Yoga relaxes me and makes me feel calm.
That’s why I am so determined to participate in prAna’s Take the Leap 30 days of Yoga Challenge with Sweat Pink. I plan to Warrior I my way to a more flexible and infury-free 2015!
For me, the biggest challenge when it comes to yoga is finding the time to do it! Taking the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink is a great way for me to face/conquer/achieve/find that time! My favorite place to yoga is Heartspace in Albany because it is so close to work and the instructor is great.
I am hoping this challenge will inspire me to do yoga every day.  I can’t afford the time or money to go to classes.  But there are so many online videos.  I think I can squeeze in at least 5 minutes a day.
I doubt you see many pictures of my poses on Instagram.  As I may have mentioned, I am not very flexible and so my poses are not pretty.  It is also difficult to get pictures from a flattering angle.
However, I would love to see some yoga poses from my readers! Post one to Instagram and tag me!@dsc59
Come one! Take the Leap with me!
It starts tomorrow!!!
Join prAna and Sweat Pink’s Take the Leap Yoga Challenge and be eligible to win $500 worth of prAna gear and/or be the lucky winner who gets to gift $500 worth of prAna gear to one lucky winner. They just launched their new Spring collection so you best get on it!
If I win, I would gift my friend, Judy from FB, because she loves yoga!!!
Join the Take the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink Facebook group/event which we’ll use for updates, sharing, and inspiration!And join the challenge on Instagram, Twitter, and your blog using the hashtags:
#TakeTheLeap
#prana
#SweatPink and of course tag @prana @FitApproach
And as runners, we know that yoga is great for running!!
Here are some past posts about just that –
Happy Running! Want to play? Just copy and paste the Mad Lib in fill in your own blanks! Are you taking 30 Day Yoga Challenge?
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Friday Five: Favorite Indoor Workouts

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Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Indoor Workouts

This is hard for me because I HATE to work out!!!!

But here are 5 that I occasionally do:

1. Yoga – I actually like yoga but running gets in the way and then there is the money to take classes.  I really should do it on my own.

yes, this is me to the right.

2. Planks – I was doing these daily for about 1 minute but like everything else, I stopped. But when I remember, I do them.

NOT ME!

3. Weights – my co-worker loves weights and gave me a pair of 5 lbers.  They sit on the floor near by desk at work. Every now and then I do several arm exercises with them.

4. Treadmill – this is only out of necessity.  I run on it when the weather is so bad that I can’t possibly run outside. And I must have my iPad to watch TV on or I will go insane.

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5. Upper & Lower Body Machines at the Gym – I don’t mind these but am lazy about going (even though I belong to a FREE gym.)

Happy Running! What are some of your favorite indoor workouts?

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Fit Approach #NoExcuses 2015 Challenge

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Hey 2015, it’s me, Darlene.

This year I would like to stay uninjured and do more strength training.

It would also be super duper awesome if I also PRed at several distances this year. It’s not a resolution, though, just a reminder to myself to try and have the best year yet because I’m not getting any younger!

The thing I am looking forward to most this year is running as many races as I can afford.

I’ll use the one thing that truly gets me out of bed in the morning which is my alarm clock to help me get up, get dressed, and get after my #NoExcuses 2015.    Speaking of excuses (ahem), my very favorite excuse is I am too busy and I have used it to get out of working out and going to yoga classes on more than umpteen occasions. I vow to move my body and be more healthy this year even if it means I have to get up earlier or re-schedule things.

Even if my alarm clock gets eaten by the cats in the middle of the night, I’ll still get up. 

I will stop blaming the hubby for eating the rest of the ice cream when everyone knows it was really me.

My job is not the reason I make excuses. I will show my job who’s boss this year and get my run on

I know that any kind of run is better than no run.

I will reward myself by buying a Starbucks Frappucino. 

#NoExcuses 2015 has just begun and already I am imagining myself a winner. I can’t wait to rock a Zeal Hoodie from Augusta Active. I can’t wait till my sweaty friends are jealous of how fresh, clean and energized I am between workouts with help from ShowerPill body wipes. I can see myself rocking my run in new Rock the Course Leggings from Actio926 and looking fit and fly while doing it. And of course, I’ll be taking my workouts to the next level and improving my abs with my new ActivMotion Bar to help me train for my next  half marathon race with Sasquatch Racing.

Oh, and let’s not forget how amazing my running skirt will smell in my / during my race after washing with some WIN Detergent. And lastly, I’ll keep rocking my 2015 with clean eats and nutrition from Beaming with Health!

Tag, Tweet, shout-out, call, text, fax or email 3 friends to take this survey and share how they will have a #NoExcuses 2015. Remind your friends to simply fill in the underlined parts! 

Tagging: HoHo Runs, AJH from Age Groups Rock,and Karen from Running Over the Hill!

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Monday Running Update


Last Week: (Week 7 of HM training)

  • Monday – walk at work, cookie party at work, tennis 6.5 mile run

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after work instead of tennis – had to run off those cookies

  • Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
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AM walk – indoors

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sleet, freezing rain=treadmill

  • Wednesday – walk at work, yoga STEM celebration dinner (cancelled – snow)
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AM walk – will I ever get outside again?

  • Thursday – walk at work, 4.5 mile run
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got out of work early & found a dry road 🙂

  • Friday- walk at work, 3 2.5 mile run, mah jongg
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AM walk

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after work

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mah jongg & celebrating 2 birthdays

  • Saturday – yoga for runners, rest, shopping, knitting
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I need to finish this scarf by Christmas

  • Sunday – 15K race, dinner out, lights in the park carriage ride to celebrate my mentee’s son’s b-day
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1:34:55 – my 2nd fastest 15K

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This Week: (Week 8 of HM training)

  • Monday – walk at work, tennis
  • Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run, tennis dinner
  • Wednesday – walk at work, yoga STEM celebration dinner
  • Thursday – walk at work, dept holiday lunch, 4 mile run
  • Friday- walk at work, work holiday lunch, retirement party at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg (LAST DAY OF WORK)
  • Saturday –  rest, yoga
  • Sunday – 10 or 11 mile run
I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

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Monday Running Update


Last Week: (Week 6 of HM training)

  • Monday – walk at work, STEM group run + ( 4 miles), 6.5 mile run after work

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  • Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
still indoors

still indoors

  • Wednesday – DAY OFF, trip to NYC!!

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  • Thursday – walk at work, 3 mile run, hair appt
running on the track at work

running on the track at work

  • Friday- walk at work, gym, mah jongg
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too cold outside

  • Saturday – proctor LSATs, (congratulations to the STEM group on their 1st 5k), bake cookies, 5k race at night
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very wet but won 3rd in my AG

  • Sunday – 4 mile run?, paint & sip with my mentee (to celebrate her b-day), dinner out, bake cookies
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apple cider sangria, 4 kinds of mac n cheese & painting

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pumpkin cookies, what else?

This Week: (Week 7 of HM training)

  • Monday – walk at work, cookie party at work, tennis
  • Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
  • Wednesday – walk at work, STEM dinner
  • Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
  • Friday- walk at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg
  • Saturday – yoga for runners, rest
  • Sunday – 15K run, dinner out, lights in the park carriage ride to celebrate my mentee’s son’s b-day
I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

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