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Friday Five: NYC Half Marathon

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

My topic for today is: Five Hopes for the NYC Half Marathon

Image result for nyc half marathon 2019

If you follow my blog, you know that after many lottery attempts, I got an guaranteed entry to the NYC Half Marathon. The Brooklyn Half in May 2018 was a miserable experience – weather-wise but my finish time (2:11:23) was good enough.

I never set goals for my races but I do wish/hope for certain things. Maybe I will be more successful for this race than the last.

1. I hope that it doesn’t rain.

Yes, I am sick of being wet and getting blisters. October weather would be ideal. See below:

Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off

2. I hope to meet up with running friends and/or make new friends.

I know a few runners doing it. With over 30,000 runners signed up, I am sure to meet some others. I am taking the bus from Manhattan to the start line (and my wave starts an hour after the first wave) so there will be plenty of time to bond and chat.

3. I hope to run relatively pain-free.

This is an important one. No fun to run with pain. Plus, I have several more big races in the coming months.

are you listening, Calf?

4. I hope to beat my last half marathon time.

It’s a tough course and I am recovering from an injury so I will be ok if I don’t.

2:20:28 or bust LOL

5. I hope to enjoy the race and the day.

Running around Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, over the Manhattan Bridge, through Manhattan and ending in Central Park. – lots of sights to view – can’t beat this NYC skyline.

See the source image.

Happy Running! Anyone else running the NYC Half Marathon? If so, let’s plan a meet-up.

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What Not to Do as an Injured Runner

Image result for injured runner meme

When you are injured, everyone has advice. So here’s my two cents on what NOT to do.

  • Treat it yourself.

Ignoring it can make it worse. Foam rolling an injury, can also hurt it. If it is very painful, see a doctor.

the stress fracture

  • Run a Race.

Easy runs are one thing but most of us are too competitive to take it easy in a race. Skip it! There will be other races.

running with a stress fracture=stupid

  • Compensate with your favorite food and drink.

You are miserable because you cannot run.  You have more time because you are not off running. Find something you enjoy doing to take your mind off eating….knitting, reading, movies, etc.

  • Google your injury.

You’ll drive yourself nuts.  By the time you;’re done, you’ll be convinced that you’ll never run again.

Related image

  • Hang out with your running friends.

They mean well but all they want to talk about is running.  Didn’t you when you were running? This is the time to see those non-running friends that you ignored because they didn’t get your running obsession.

Image result for injured runner meme

So it’s Tuesday and I am linking up  with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner) for Tuesday Topics.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel!

and Wild Workout Wednesday with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle.

Happy Running! How many of the above things have you done when injured? (I have done ALL of them lol).

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Weekly Run Down for 3.4.19-3.10.19

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Lots of ups and downs. Most of them unrelated to running.

Last week –

  • Monday – Today I took the train to NYC for work. Some snow and ice but not too much to be able to meet Cari and go for a long walk. (Yes being good about NOT running.)

great Hudson River sunset, conversation & pizza!

  • Tuesday – A long work day but hoping that the roads in Central Park were clear enough to go running. And they were. The run was not without discomfort but still grateful to be doing it and having company. Thanks Cari.

  • Wednesday – As promised I did not run but it was hard to hold back. Instead I took a walk to Times Square and back to see a Broadway show.

great cast and entertaining show

  • Thursday – Another long work day. I had planned to either run along the East River or meet Cari in the park but decided to give the leg another day of rest. Went to the movies instead. (This not running is getting expensive.)
Greta poster.jpeg

very creepy movie

  • Friday – Rest day because I had to take the train back home after work.
  • Saturday – Long Run Saturday. Last one before my race. Normally it would be a taper but I was still building up mileage on the legs after the injury runbbatical. I ran alone for a few miles and then had company for the rest. Leg felt better the longer I ran. Still not healed and I followed brunch with a painful ART session. (appt #6)

perfect weather for one day!

My chiro agreed that it is a strange injury and should maybe see an ortho after the race.  Lots of standing, walking and stairs in NYC seemed to irritate my calf and it appeared as tight as my first visit.  Yet when I run (and don’t walk), the discomfort seems to disappear the longer I run.  She thinks I should run the half marathon.  So that’s what I’ll do.

  • Sunday – Rest Day, errands and some bridal stuff with my daughter-in-law to be.

This Coming Week –

  • Monday – rest day, ART appt #7
  • Tuesday – 4 miles
  • Wednesday – rest day, wake
  • Thursday – DAY OFF – my brother-in-law’s funeral, ART appt #8
  • Friday – rest day, mah jongg
  • Saturday – rest day, bus to NYC, expo
  • Sunday – NYC Half Marathon!!

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same.  Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Is it still winter where you live? Please share.

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Friday Five: What didn’t happen during my last half marathon

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

I ran my first half marathon of 2019 last month- the Publix Florida Half Marathon. (Read my review HERE.)

Before the race I posted about 5 things that I wanted to happen. This is a follow-up on that post.

So my Topic this week is: Five Things That Did Not Happen During This RACE

1. Good Weather

Nope. Pouring rain, heat, wind, 99% humidity. UGH!!!

On a positive note, it was the only day of my vacation that I did not enjoy great weather.

2. No pain.

Around mile 5, I started getting a blister on one foot and shortly after, the bottom of the other foot started to ache. And as you know, if you read my blog, the day after, my calf got injured while walking along the beach (could be related to the race … or not)

wet crazed runner in pain with her race belt falling off the whole race

3. Ocean Views

Well, I think there were ocean views.  At least there was water but too cloudy, foggy to see a single thing!!

At least I got a closer look after the race until it started to downpour again.

4. Age Group Award

At my age, this is always a possibility. If I didn’t give up during the second half of the race (6 minutes slower than the first half), I could have won an award. Coming in 4th is frustrating.

5. Finish under 2:15.

Not expecting a PR (under 2:06:52) since I did not train for one. But 2:15 was doable. Believe it or not, my finish time was slower than my super hilly half in November.  How is that possible?

Image result for Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards” – Vernon Sanders Law

Of course there were lessons learned like with every race/experience:

  1.  You can’t control the weather. Just deal with it.
  2. Wear compression sleeves even it is hot because you always do.
  3.  Not all races are scenic.  At least there was lots of music and good food at the end.
  4.  Anything can and will happen during a race. Can’t predict finish times even on the same course.
  5. You can’t win them all.  Even if you run a great race, awards depend on who shows up. If you run a bad race, you may even win.

Next up:

United Airlines NYC Half-Marathon

Happy Running! Do you have any goals for your first BIG race or any race in 2019? If you raced already, did you meet all or any of your goals? What did you learn from the experience? Please share.

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Foam Rolling – Is it Necessary?

foam rollers

It seems that every runner talks about how they foam roll or that they aren’t foam rolling enough but should do it more.

Keep this in mind, I believe that it is a placebo and that companies want to sell foam rollers and they make us believe that they help.

Feel free to disagree.  I’m sure that most of you will.

Like anything else, if you Google it, you will find the answers that you want.

Foam Rolling is a waste of time:

Foam Rolling is essential:

So even if you are belong to Pro Foam Roller camp, here are ways not to spend a lot of money on these useless tools:

  • Tennis Ball
  • 4 inch diameter PVC pipe for less than 1 dollar.
  • from Walmart, the thickest swimming pool foam tube (pool noodle), which is about 4 inches in diameter
  • 3 golf balls into a thin cotton sock
  • Lacrosse Ball

from https://www.sheknows.com

So I wrote this post prior to my recent leg injury.

Many of you may want to say, “If you foam rolled after that half marathon, you would not have gotten injured.”

Maybe so.

Maybe not. I did not foam roll after my previous 33 half marathons and no leg pain. My chiro agrees with me and attributes the injury to walking on the beach which uses muscles that we don’t use often added to 13.1 miles of running and 2 hours garden walking – Yes, an overuse injury.

As with compression, she says to do what you normally do and it works if you believe it to work.

As you know, the Tuesdays on the Run link up has been retired. There is now a new link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner). The new link up is called Tuesday Topics and starts today!!

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel!

and Wild Workout Wednesday with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle.

Happy Running! Aye or Nay to Foam Rollers?

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Weekly Rundown for 2.25.19-3.3.19: ART, Running & Cats. Oh my…

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Another slow running week but an improvement over the week before and an improvement in the leg pain.

Last week –

  • Monday –  3rd ART appt. more scraping and pressing and intense pain. No pain, no gain, right? I even got this addition. Plus no running for at least 2 days.

  • Tuesday –  A long day because I was working as tech support for NYS Bar Exam. I had planned to run after but my chiro forbid it so I went to the gym instead. 30 min on the bike, 30 min on the TM (slow walking) and some arm machines. Iced my leg after. Yes, I’m being good but not a happy camper. Good thing it as a COLD blustery day!

same as last week but in a different outfit 🙂 This injury may result in me having Michele Obama arms lol

  • Wednesday – After work, I went to my 4th ART appt. It seems that in addition to a sore calf, I have a tight ankle and extremely tight fascia. I guess I’m getting my money’s worth from my chiro. I had hoped to go to a Fleet Feet event where runners/walkers took the brand new Cloud Swift running shoe out for a test run while searching for ON-Running Balloons that were placed not too far from the store. But the run got cancelled due to a snowstorm and my chiro wouldn’t allow it anyway.
  • Thursday – Day #2 at the Bar Exam and I was hopeful that I would finish in time to go to Cat Yoga. I don’t do yoga anymore but I couldn’t resist something with the word “cat” in it.

I got out of work early. So tempted to run but I was good and stopped at the gym to walk on the tm then headed to yoga. I can’t remember the last time I did yoga.  It’s been years.  But not running much does have advantages, more time for things like this. (Who am I kidding, the old me ran 3 miles before yoga class.) Anyway, it was loads of fun. The cats walked around, on your mat, stopping for pets. It was hard not taking one home.

  • Friday – Last day at the Bar Exam. I had time for a chiro approved short run before my evening mah jongg game. And my Sole Sisters we’re able to join me. Win win.

  • Saturday – ART Appt. #5 (due to being away all of next week.) Still little improvement on the calf front.  She tried some new tricks and looked at my tight IT band and hips this time, as well. Unfortunately it interfered with my Long Run day. But according to the weather forecast, it was supposed to be lousy out but it was not.  Instead, I went to the local running store and bought a new pair of running shoes.  I decided that I should wear a shoe with more support …so Mizuno Inspires it is.  We’ll see.
  • Sunday – Postponed long run. I was lucky and Sole Sister Barbara agreed to run 5 miles with me. Since it was just the two of us, we stayed local and ran around the neighborhoods where we live.  My calf still felt annoying but less tight the longer I ran.  It was actually my quads that were screaming when I added 3 more miles after Barbara left.   They are not used to this low mileage.  Anyway, I was psyched in the improvement of my leg (the shoes??)

2 weeks to go until NYC!!

Blue skies, sunshine, 30s…perfect weather warranted an ice cream cone.

This Coming Week – 

As you can see, my running plans are up in the air….I want to be trained for the NYC Half Marathon but I also do not want to worsen my leg pain. However, I will be in NYC!!! See my dilemma. There are some family stuff going on as well which may impact my trip to NYC or my half marathon.

  • Monday –   ?? miles, train to NYC for work (probably a rest day and a walk on the High line)
  • Tuesday –  3 miles in NYC (hopefully in CP with Cari)
  • Wednesday – ?? miles in NYC (probably another rest day and a walk)
  • Thursday – 3 miles in NYC (hopefully a run along the Hudson)
  • Friday – rest day , train home
  • Saturday – Running of the Green race, ART appt #6
  • Sunday – Long Run (10 miles??) – 1 week to Go!!

As they said “All good things must come to an end.”  So thank you to Tricia, then Wendy and Holly for the Weekly Wrap. It was awesome and will be missed.

WWSki-Orange

and from now on, every week, I will be linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same.  Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

And also linking up with Jenn @ Runswithpugs, Brandi @ Funnerrunner, Anna Louise @ Graciouswarriorprincess, Briana @ Matsmilesmedals, Meghan @ Meghanonthemove, and Elizabeth @ Trainwithbain for #RIOTS(running is our therapy)

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Anyone nursing a sore something? Anyone run in Mizuno Inspires? Please share.

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Ultimate Coffee Date for March & Friday Five

It’s that time of the month…

Starbucks Coffee City Mug Collection- Florida, 16 Oz Cup

time to join up with Coco & Deborah
for their ultimate coffee date.

Where I live, we’re in the middle of winter so it’s HOT coffee in the morning before work and red wine in front of the fireplace at night. I am still savoring the memory of the warm weather from when I was in Florida last month (hence the mug lol).

1. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that my award from my October 28 race recently arrived. Better later than never! AG awards always brighten up my day. I put it on my desk at work.

Do you get excited about age group awards? Do you display them somewhere visible?

2. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I am honored to be selected for this list:

Be sure to check the site out to see which other blogs are listed and if your blog fits the criteria (you are a runner over 50 years old), submit your blog’s URL:

https://blog.feedspot.com/senior_running_blogs/

Have you heard of this list? Are you listed or will you submit your blog (if you are senior enough) to it?

3. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I have used Daily Mile to track my miles since I started running in 2008.  As of March 20, they are shutting down!!!

as of Feb 20, 2019 – love the donut stat

I am looking into other sites/apps so I don’t have to manually put my miles into Excel.  I don’t wear a watch except when I race so I can’t just sync it all.

I’m thinking of using RunningAHEAD or Strava. Both are free and easy to use.

Anyone else use Daily Mile? How do you keep track of your miles?

4. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that I am VERY nervous about my next Half Marathon.  It’s my 35th but it will be the first one without much running going into it due to resting my leg because of a possible injury. (Actually my 2nd, I walked most of one in 2011 for the same reason.)

Image result for racing with an injury meme

Have you run a half marathon with a injury or recent injury?

5. Over coffee/wine…

I’d tell you that yesterday they announced the lottery winners for the NYC Marathon.  I know of 3 local runners who got in.  Sad that my neighbor and my running pal, Sherry, did not.

Of the 117,709 applicants who registered for entry, ONLY 10,510 were accepted. So glad that I made the decision to accept my guaranteed entry.

Who else got in yesterday?

Though it’s not until November, I have started getting excited about my first marathon.

Any other recommendations for things to purchase on Amazon? lol

It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with  Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here! What are you drinking to stay warm?
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An A.R.T.ful Approach to a Running Injury

So I love museums and all art-related things but that is not the topic here.  This ART relates to injury prevention and injury recovery.

Image result for active release technique

ART stands for Active Release Techniques. It is usually done by a licensed chiropractor or PT.

I am not an expert but since I am currently undergoing it, I thought I’d learn about it and share what I’ve learned here.

So what are Active Release Techniques?

They are defined as “a soft tissue method that focuses on relieving tissue tension via the removal of fibrosis/adhesions which can develop in tissues as a result of overload due to repetitive use.”

How is it done?

Instead of treating a general area, the chiro uses his/her hands to feel for abnormal or damaged tissue in muscle, fascia, tendons, ligaments or nerves.

In my case, it was my leg but she also worked on my lower back.

He/she then applies intense and repetitive movement-based massage techniques to release buildup of dense scar tissue, restore normal function and decrease bad pain.  My chiro also used a metal instrument (for “scraping”) in addition to her hands.

Is it painful?

Yes and no. Everyone’s pain threshold is different. But on the whole, it hurts!!

I had painful bruises on my leg after the first session.

How many sessions do you need?

That depends as well.  Some respond after one treatment and others need more.  Also it depends on the severity of the injury or if it is just prevention (as in before a big race) or maintenance throughout the year.

Sometimes, you can be in more pain than before the treatment.

I have 6 sessions scheduled (2 sessions per week) which is what is recommended for injuries.

Is it always successful?

I am sure not always but I have read many reports that ART has helped.

The verdict is still out for me.

When should you use it?

Any runner in training is a candidate for ART because it can fix things before the runner even knows there’s an issue. So it can prevent injury.

Of course, if a runner is injured, ART promotes faster recovery and restoration of normal tissue function.

Why am I trying it?

If you know me, you should be surprised.

I have never gone to a chiropractor. I have never even had a massage.  I don’t stretch or foam roll.

So with my first injury, I freaked especially since for the first time ever, I have FOUR half marathons and a 15k in FOUR months and I signed up for my FIRST MARATHON!!!!!!!

Normally, I would just either run through it or just rest for awhile.

With a half in a few weeks, I was worried about not running, losing my training and going into the race, untrained or continuing to train and making my injury worse.

So I’ve rested my leg for the most part, asked my fellow runners for advice and I took the one that made the most sense (to me).

A coach recommended a chiro who specializes in ART. She said what I wanted to hear.  “It will fix everything and you will be fine!!”

Photo Cred: Performance Place Sports Care – Active Release

Read more about it here:

I even received my FIRST taping (after my 3rd visit)- supposed to reduce swelling and speed up the healing…fingers crossed

As you know, the Tuesdays on the Run link up has been retired. There is now a new link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner). The new link up is called Tuesday Topics and starts today!!

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel!

and Wild Workout Wednesday with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle.

Happy Running! Anyone hear of ART or have used it successfully?

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Weekly Update for 2.18.19-2.24.19: On the DL?

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With only 6 run/walk miles last week, I started out the week playing it safe for fear that my leg would bother me.  But with my next half marathon date looming, I didn’t want to play it too safe.

Last week –

  • Monday – It was cold and windy as usual but the sun was out and I had the DAY OFF from work.  You know I wanted to run. But I forced myself to stay home and cook and clean. Finally I couldn’t stand it anyone and I went to the gym.  I walked on the treadmill and then used the bike.  Thank you Hamilton for keep me sane. The problem with being inexperienced with discomfort (many of you have had niggles and such), I didn’t know what to do so I rested.
  • Tuesday – After no running for 4 days in a row, even though the polar vortex returned, I headed out for a short run. I knew I couldn’t run much because I had to get home to attend a webinar. My leg felt no worse but no better. So annoying.

  • Wednesday – Though my leg may or may not be injured, I had already made an appointment for ART so I figured I’d give it a try. It couldn’t hurt or could it? Well it hurt …a lot…but the chiro said she can fix me. She worked mostly on my calf but my ankle, hips and lower back needed adjustment as well. No running for 3 days!!!!
Image result for active release techniques kerry deyo

Kerry – my new BFF (runner & chiro)

  • Thursday – An ordered rest day and dinner with a former co-worker after some gym time (bike & walking on the tm).

  • Friday – Rest day, ART appt. #2, and evening with the mah jongg ladies. Due to all the bruising (which is normal), my chiro was a little gentler than last time and used her hands and the ultrasound device instead the metal instrument.  She said the calf muscles (and ankle) seemed looser (a good sign) but my fascia tighter… Again, she realigned the hips.
  • Saturday – Long run Saturday with my Sole Sisters.  The question was how many miles. 11 miles on the schedule but haven’t really run the last 2 weeks and my chiro said only 4 or 5 easy. So 5 miles was.  There was no real pain (but there never was) and it wasn’t worse. As usual it was great catching up with my running peeps during the run and after at brunch. 3 weeks until my half.  Gulp.

still too much ice to run on the Crossings paths so we ran around the nearby neighborhoods

  • Sunday – A rainy day.  A good day for housework, catching up on things and may be even a trip to the gym…

took an easy run (leg was the same as the day before) and since I parked at the gym, did some machines and miles on the bike

This Coming Week – 

As you can see, my running plans are up in the air….I want to be trained for NYC but I also do not want to worsen my leg pain.

  • Monday –   ?? miles, 3rd ART appt.
  • Tuesday –  ?? miles
  • Wednesday – 4th ART appt, On-Running Clouds Swift launch Run at FF, ??? miles
  • Thursday – rest day, Cat Yoga
  • Friday – rest, mah jongg
  • Saturday – Long Run – ?? miles, 2 weeks until NYC Half Marathon
  • Sunday – rest day

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap FOR THE LAST TIME. It is hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home

WWSki-Orange

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Anyone nursing a sore something? Please share.

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Four Somethings for February

January 2018 Share Foru Somethings #ShareFourSomethings

Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a new link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The last Monday fourth Saturday of each month, Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, Something Read. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!

Something Loved.

Sunshine, Warm Temps and the Beach!  Yes, I LOVED my time in Florida because of all three of these somethings!

I am jealous of all my retired friends who are snowbirds but am grateful that I am able to spend a few days each winter escaping the NE polar vortex.

Something Said.

Recently I volunteered at a race.  I rarely do this because honestly, I want run the race. Plus, it was freezing and who wants to stay in one place in the freezing cold. But I did it.

And the race director, for some reason, put me in the most important place – where I had tell the runners whether to go straight or turn right and had to stop cars on the road.  There were marathoners, 20 milers, 10 miler and 4.5 milers all running at the same time and at different paces…only marathoners had bibs. Quite complicated…

Anyway, what was said was: THANK YOU. YOU’RE AWESOME…over and over again. I definitely felt appreciated and I have to remember when I race to SAY thanks to the volunteers.  A race could not happen without them.

Something Learned.

It’s a hard lesson but I learned that I am not invincible. Things were going great with my running. Almost 100 miles run in January…4 half marathons and a 15k in 4 months and my first marathon scheduled for November…

Then, all of a sudden they weren’t. Leg pain caused by who knows what and all running and racing in jeopardy (maybe I’m exaggerating).

But I guess, injury can happen to anyone.  Appreciate everyday that you can go out and run pain-free.  I know I will.

even if it cold and snowy

I read this on Shathiso’s blog:

Image result for Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards” – Vernon Sanders Law

It is so true for runners (and all athletes – Law was a baseball player). Even we are experienced runners, there is something to be learned from every run and/or race.

 Something Read.

Stella Bain book cover

No running books this month but I have a few planned for the future.

Instead, I read Stella Bain, one of Anita Shreve’s books. I have read many of her books. Set in WWI, this book starts out with a wounded American ambulance driver who has lost her memory and thinks her name may be Stella Bain.  She meets August & his wife Lily and Stella’s story continues as they try to help her regain her memory about the war and her life in America. The story is quite complicated as it deals with shell shock syndrome, an abusive husband, lost love, repairing relationships with her children, custody battles, new love, etc. Though, many critics have said that it was not realistic and it may not be. Still it was a fast enjoyable read and I would recommend it.

Happy Running! What are your FOUR somethings? Share at least ONE.