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Weekly Wrap for 9.3.18-9.9.18 – Holiday Week and Back to You Know Where

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A short work week. Yay! And my last trip to NYC until November. This time, I did run there.

Last week –
  • Monday -Love me a holiday so I can run in the morning on a weekday!!  I thought about a race but the Sefcu 5k started at 9 am which was too late so I opted to run with some newbie runners. They were training for their first half and did 1/4 mi intervals.  Not the best scenario but nice not to run alone.

love running at Peebles

My hubby was nice enough to wait until I got back to head up to the lake. It was too hot to stay home. It was a quiet day since most of our friends had headed home.

views from our marina and Log Bay Island

  • Tuesday – The indoor tennis season has started. Although I decided not to join the tennis club, I got asked to sub and I happily accepted.  Of course, I had to sneak in a short run nearby. The heat and humidity were back. I tried to find as much shade as possible. First I had to move off the path for the boys cross country meet and then later for the girls.  Then I ran (slogged) out of time.

on the Colonie Town Park Bike Path

  • Wednesday – Back on the train to NYC.  I debated where to run to avoid the heat.  I decided to take the subway to Roosevelt Island and run around the whole island. It turned out to be a good choice. The route was shady for the most part and there was a slight breeze from the water.

The only negative besides the heat was that I was the only runner on the path. After my run, I took the tram back to Manhattan and then walked all the way back to my hotel.10 miles on the feet for the day!!

  • Thursday – After a long hot day of training, I hopped the subway to run in Central Park because I had planned to meet fellow Skirt Sports ambassador Elizabeth. I hadn’t seen her since the spring and we have never run together. As soon as we met, a big storm arrived.  Luckily we were near a shopping mall to take cover and chat until the rain stopped.  We did get in our run and it was great. The opposite of the day before…so many runners and running groups in the park.

After our run,we continued our conversation over dinner and drinks and then I walked back to my hotel. 10 miles covered again today

  • Friday – Rest Day. I had to catch the train home so no time to run. (Darn. Finally some cooler temps.)
  • Saturday – Last long run. 12 Miles with some of the Sole Sisters.  And the weather was perfect. We chose to meet at Nisky Bike Path and pair up since everyone had different distances to cover. I ran a fast 3 miles with Judy and then the remaining 9 miles with Sherry and Chris.  There were some hills thrown in that didn’t thrill me but we got it done and celebrated with brunch afterwards.

  • Sunday – Boating Sunday. The temps felt more like fall than summer. So I talked (begged) my hubby into going for a hike first.  He enjoyed the view from Pinnacle Point but did get annoyed when I got us lost on the second trail.

We ended the day with a short boat ride and then dinner with a view.

This Coming Week –

  • Monday –  drive to Rochester, rest day
  • Tuesday –  4 miles in Rochester
  • Wednesday – drive to Syracuse, 3 miles
  • Thursday – drive home after work, rest day
  • Friday –  3 miles, mah jongg
  • Saturday –  8-10 miles – Taper Time, boating
  • Sunday -rest day, tennis, Mah Jongg on the Schroon River

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home

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Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you?  Is the humidity killing your running mojo?Please share.

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Five Reasons to Run RnR Montreal

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

My next half marathon is right around the corner so …

My topic today is:  Five Reasons Why You Should Run Rock N Roll Montreal

  1. There are multiple races happening over one weekend. You can run a 5k, 10k, or challenge yourself with a half or full marathon.  In other words, there is a race for everyone.  There’s even a 1K for kids.
  2. You can go for multiple distances (and medals) over the course of the weekend. If you run one on Saturday and one on Sunday, you get an extra medal.  If you run another RnR in the US or another country, you get another special medal (Darn it. I ran Vegas last year and Brooklyn was canceled!!)

3. Music every step of the way! Mile markers with live bands, DJ’s, Drum Lines, and more. I ran Vegas and the music kept me going. it was awesome.

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4. You are running in an International race without any trans Atlantic travel. How cool is that? No worries if you don’t speak French, signs are in BOTH languages.

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5. The course(s) take you through the sites of the beautiful city of Montreal – the Montreal Biosphere, Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, La Fontaine Park, and more.

 

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Botanical Gardens

If you are still not convinced, watch this video:

Happy Running! Anyone else have run or will run RnR Montreal?

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Rock ‘N Roll Montreal 5k and Half Marathon as part of being a Rock n Blogger.

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Wednesday Word – Talent

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The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This month’s word is TALENT

So what does “TALENT” even mean?

a natural ability to be good at something, especially, without being taught.

So are anyone of you runners “talented”?

But more importantly, does it matter?

Image result for talent quotes

In other words, if you have talent, you can be a decent runner. (Of course, “decent” is relative, right?) You may not have to run often or warm-up, or do drills.  It just comes naturally. You don’t have to work hard to get that sub 30 5k finish or sub 2 half marathon or even BQ.

Of course, in order to improve, PR, BQ, you need to be motivated to do those runs and drills, etc. For many runners, just finishing a race is good enough.  Just running for fun without worry about pace is perfectly fine. There are others who are driven and competitive. And your motivation can come and go. Your desire to long run long, run often or even sign up for races can change week to week, month to month and season to season.

And then there’s your attitude which I think overrides the other two. You know they say “it’s all in your head.” “It’s mind over matter.”  You could have the talent and the motivation but those paces just don’t happen. Those desired finish lines are elusive.

So when it comes to running, where do you excel?  Talent, motivation or attitude?  Which do you think is the most important?

For me, I think I have a little bit of all three.

Talent: I am not coordinated but I ran fastish even in my first year of running. (at least in my opinion…meaning that I ran a sub 30 5K). But I am not super talented. There are many in my age group who are much faster. I doubt that I will run a sub 2 half or could ever BQ.

29:30 – 2009 5k

Motivation: Again some here too. I try to get all my runs in each week because I do want to do well in my races and I do not want to get injured.  If I am part of a group, I will reluctantly do those drills (but never on my own.) I am not highly motivated because I will not get a coach, follow a plan, join a gym – all of which would probably make me a better runner.

occasionally there is a track workout

Attitude: I try to have a positive attitude about my running but I am often disappointed in my pace and the number of miles that I run each week. But I think that I have a better attitude when I race (though not always) and that has translated into successful racing.

Yes I will on my 3rd try have a course PR

Happy Running! Got talent? Please share your thoughts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fall Running/Racing Plans

It’s Tuesday so I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Fall Running Plans

Fall in the NE is a great time to run. It is cooler and the foliage views are awesome.

I normally have quite a few favorite races on my schedule but this fall, five weekends will be taken up by race-cations to Montreal and France so I will miss some of my favorite races.

Not complaining. I can run them next year.

So here are the races that I am looking forward to this fall – 3 half marathons and a 15K

Image result for rnr montreal

Sept 23, 2018

This is my first race as a Rock n Blogger as well as my first international race. I am running 5k AND the half with a few local friends and I hope to meet some other bloggers there.

Oct. 14, 2018 20K not a half but close enough

This is a dream come true. As a former French teacher, I’ve always wanted to run a race in Paris and now I am.  The race comes at the end of a vacation in Sanguinet (Bordeaux region.)

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A local 15K that I always try to run.

Image result for pelham half marathon 2018

Another new race and my last half marathon for 2018. A great way to run off all that turkey. And I will running with running buddy Alyssa. (We haven’t raced together in a long time.)

I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

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Happy Running! Which fall races are you looking forward to??

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Weekly Wrap for 8.27.18-9.2.18: Lots of Rest Days

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Back in NYC but only for 3 days not 5. Heat Wave and not much running (but not because of the heat.)

Last week –
  • Monday – Took the train to NYC today and normally I would head right out to do a run. But in addition to running, I love tennis so since the US Open Tennis Tournament has started today in Queens, I decided to get tickets. I have been many many times but never to watch a night match.

Anyway the train arrived an hour late so the run was out of the question. So I hopped a subway to Queens and waited on a LONG line but got to see Kelly Clarkson in concert and Serena and Rafa play. So glad I went (except for late bedtime.)

  • Tuesday – Again, you will be shocked to note that I did not run again in NYC. I REALLY wanted to but my co-workers scheduled a dinner and I didn’t want to act anti-social so I went. It was a fun time and I did walk to and from the restaurant rather than taking the subway line the others.

BTW: the heat index in NYC was 107.

  • Wednesday – Rest Day #3. No time to run, I had to catch a train home after work.
  • Thursday – I wish I was a morning runner.  I had a hair appt after work. Life is getting in the way of my running. I was done around 7 pm with finally some cooler temps so I caved and went for a run.

forgot my hat – ugh but ran on a bike path that I haven’t been on in ages.

  • Friday – To run or not to run. I hate to run the day before a long run but I had time before mah jong so I did.

ran in town (which is celebrating Ovarian awareness) and on the rail trail

  • Saturday – Finally able to run with the Sole Sisters. What a difference from last weekend. It was cooler, earlier and I had company which made all the difference. I ran with Judy for 5 miles and then Sherry for 6.  Then the 10 of us hung out for food and conversation.

  • Sunday – Boating Sunday.  After a weekend off, I was happy to get back on the lake. It was the annual Christmas celebration so there were lots of boats in the bay and a live band. So much fun.

This Coming Week –

  • Monday –  DAY OFF – 4 miles
  • Tuesday –  rest day, tennis
  • Wednesday – train to NYC, 4 miles
  • Thursday – 3 miles
  • Friday – rest day, train home
  • Saturday –  12 miles
  • Sunday – rest day, boating

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home

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Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you?  Is the humidity killing your running mojo?Please share.

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Ultimate Coffee Date – September

It’s that time of the month…

It’s COFFEE ice cream, of course!!

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

Yes with the summer temps, I am still having lots of ice cream!!

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that life has gotten in the way of my runs.  I could complain about the heat but that’s not it.  I have chosen tennis and social outings and just plain skipped my weekday runs.

Anyone else take a running sabbatical (when you are healthy)??

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that because I did not have time to run, I missed that big heat wave. I was in NYC and the heat index was over 100 three days in a row.  I didn’t worry about the temps or even consider running on a dreadful treadmill.

But just walking in NYC (and waiting for subways) had me sweating, I still managed to get in a lot of steps. 0 miles running but 17.1 miles walking in 3 days.

Do walking miles count as training?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am the worst solo runner.  I do not have any motivation. I stop and walk, take photos, access FB & IG.  Yup, the runs may be in the 14 min. pace range and I don’t care. (I don’t even wear a watch.)

Unfortunately, I did not run with those women and this was the slowest 12 miler ever

I think that’s why I used to just run races all the time. When I am in a race, I get that adrenaline.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that that I was really looking forward to racing in Paris because I would be running the race with @fit_in_france

Oct 14, 2018

But unfortunately, she has to DNS because she needs to go to the US to visit family. We are in the process of planning a run together for after I arrive in Paris and before I leave for Bordeaux.  Fingers crossed!

Anyone else ever run a race in Paris? Any advice?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I complained that I may have lost my racing mojo.  I had skipped many weekend races in favor of just running with friends.

My solution has been to run a race during the week. So I ran the Hump Day 5k on a Wednesday and I may run the Sefcu 5k on Monday.

Ever run weekday races?

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
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Runfessions for August

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

1. I runfess…

I signed up for a Virtual Race which I normally don’t do.

Because of the swag.

awesome medal

cool women’s tech shirt

When my Russian friend Anna came to visit, I (reluctantly) gave her the shirt because she loves Central Park…

she wore to the race (that we never ran)

but I kept the medal.

Then I felt guilty so I gave her one of my 5k medals that I won as an age group award.

Do you ever give away your medals and shirts?

2. I runfess…

As a Rock N Blogger, I definitely feel FOMO every time a Rock n Roll race happens. My plan was to run several Rock N Roll races.  But they cancelled Brooklyn and the only east coast race is Montreal.  So I signed up to run the half marathon…

Image result for rnr montreal

…then I also signed up for run the 5k the day before.

Image result for rnr montreal 5k

Yup, it’s all about the bling.

Any other Rock N Bloggers out there running RnR Montreal??? Hopefully “yes.” Anyone else run TWO races in one weekend to get an extra medal?

3. I runfess…

I used to race every weekend especially in the summer. But believe it or not, I skipped Jailhouse Rock 5K, one of my favorite summer races (and a PR op due to the downhill finish).

Having friends to run with on the weekend has changed my running…

Do you ever skip a race in order to run with friends?

4. I runfess…

If you read my blog, you know that one of my recent NYC races was cancelled. 

There was no refund but they re-scheduled the race. I live almost 3 hours north of the city and I would have pay to get to the city and pay for a hotel room in order to run the race on its new date.

Yes, you guessed it, I registered for the race anyway. I used my points for a free hotel room.

In order not to lose my $40 registration fee, I am spending $40 more for MegaBus tix to get to and from NYC.

Crazy, right? 

Anyone else want to join me?  Want to buy Anna’s bib?

5. I runfess…

I bought a new skirt from Skirt Sports (that I don’t need) because I thought that the new pattern matched my running shoes.

Women's Nike Air Zoom Vomero 13 Running Shoes - Color: Racer Blue/Blue Tint/Royal Pulse (Regular Width) - Size: 6.5

...except that it doesn’t match.

There’s a solution:

Buy a top that matches the new skirt and then another skirt that matches the shoes. (I am glad that I am an ambassador or I’d go broke.)

Ever buy new running apparel just because of the color?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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August Report Card

Good-bye August Hello September

This month was very rainy and humid. Glad it’s over.

Here’s how the month went:

Weekday Runs:

I was able to run at least 3 times outdoors most weeks which is great because I HATE the treadmill. I traveled three out of five weeks.

I ran a few times while on working in Liverpool and while working in NYC. Otherwise I ran locally. My weekday runs were usually around 3 miles (occasionally more and occasionally less). Heat, humidity and rain made it tough to get it done.

Long Runs:

Boating, friends and work have sometimes made it tough to get in my weekend long runs. The month started out well but then I skipped the weekend that I was in NYC.  No excuses about not having a big race on my schedule. My half is in 3 weeks.

Total Mileage:

I ran 75 miles so far this month. At least it was an improvement over last month. I am still behind on my 1000 mile yearly goal. But the important thing is that I am feeling healthy so all is good.

to get to1000, I need to run 84 miles each month

Races:

I tentatively had several races on my schedule this month. Race the Train and its replacement were cancelled. So I decided to run Governor’s Island 5k in NYC and the after work Hump Day 5K.  Governor’s Island 5k was cancelled the day of. Hump Day 5k was a tough one but at least I won my age group.

Cross Training:

Due to my work schedule, I only played tennis outdoors once this month during the week but I did play during my weekend at Schroon River.

I also worked out once at the gym. (I just used the arm machines.)

I did walk at lunch once or twice. I also went for walks in the park after dinner when I was working in Liverpool. Of course, I got a lot of steps in during my time in NYC.

Other News:

Despite all my work travel, I was able to squeeze in some friend and hubby time. 

annual day at the race track

The hubby and I took our boat out on the lake on the weekends that I was in town.

I was away two weekends. The first one to meet up up with my friend Anna who was visiting from Russia. We were supposed to run a race together. But that didn’t happen but we still had lots of fun.

The second was for my monthly gathering with the tennis ladies which was held at a house on Schroon River. This is a annual event and always a great time. I did two hikes, a nature walk and played tennis. Normally I would stay the whole weekend but I needed to run and pack for trip to NYC (yes again!) the next day.n

I also got to meet up with a fellow runner/blogger while I was in NYC. We ran, talked, walked, took pics and ate ice cream together. I can’t wait to do it again.

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Looking Ahead:

Half Marathon #32 is September 23 and 20K is October 14.

This is my tentative list so far for the next 2 months:

  • 9-08-18 – Malta 5k or Teal 5k 9-9-18??
  • 9-15-18 – ADK 5k or 9-16-18 – Palio 5K or Dunkin Run??
  • 9-22-18 – RnR Montreal 5k
  • 9-23-18 – RnR Montreal Half Marathon
  • 9-29-18 – Governors Island 5k
  • 10-14-18 – Les 20km de Paris

I am linking to Deb at DebRuns for herAugust Race Linkup:

No monthly goals.

This motto worked for 2016 & 2017 so I’m sticking with it in 2018!

I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

My Topic is: Give your running month a letter grade.

I’d say overall a B+

Despite the work travel, I did my best to get in my weekday runs in. But I skipped one weekend long run. I did play tennis a few times and went to the gym maybe once. I ran only ONE race but not my fault that several were cancelled. I did win my age group in the only one I ran.

I’m not giving myself a lower grade because hey, it is summer and quite a hot and humid one.  But I better get my a$$ in gear if I want to run my fall half marathons pain-free.

I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

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Happy Running! How did your August turn out? Anything exciting planned for September? What grade would you give your running month?

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Four Somethings for August

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 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!

So here are mine:

Something Loved.

Time spent with my Russian friend Anna.  We met in 2002, when I stayed with her in Kursk as part of a teacher exchange visit.  I stayed with her again in 2004 and 2006 but fortunately through the years, she has come to the US many times and we have stayed in touch.

in 2006 during my last trip to Russia

Well, this month, I got to spend the weekend with her.  I LOVED it!

Something Said.

We have had a very hot, humid rainy August.  My runs have been shortened, slow and often filled with more walking than running. My confidence was dwindling and then a runner friend said to me (in FB):

 You’re strong and determined. You’ll be ready for your half.

Every now and then, you need someone to booster you back up where you belong.

Thanks Judy.

This same person (when another runner friend apologized for her “slow pace”) also said:

One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.

I love that and it’s so true.

Something Learned.

I learned that you never know who you will inspire.

Back to Anna. When I visited her in Russia (2002, 2004, 2006), neither one of us were runners.  Anna was very much into fashion.  She only wore nice clothes and nice shoes.  In fact in 2010 when she came to visit me, she got blisters from walking around NYC in those “nice” shoes so she had to borrow my sneakers. And she made me crop them out of every photo.

Then in September 2012 when she came to visit, I was running a race and she wanted to come watch.

She was very excited about the race, took lots of pictures and even a video of me running.

Fast forward to September 2016, again we met in NYC and now she is wearing running shoes!!

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This is what she emailed me:

You’ll be surprised to learn I took up running as well.  I think it happened largely due to my watching you run that early early morning in the park.

Definitely a proud parent moment!!

During that day in NYC, I told her about a race that I had run there the previous November.

You know where this is going.  The next thing I know, she is flying back into NYC to run that same race with me.  She even invites two Russian friends (one lives in Chicago and one in DC) to run the race too.

We had a blast and Anna & I even went running again together the next day.

along the Hudson River, NYC

Two years later, she has returned once more to the US and we planned to spend the day together in NYC before she returned to Russia. Her idea, not mine, was to run a race together. Unfortunately, due a thunderstorm, the race got cancelled.

Something Read.

I love to read. And I try to read a little each day and even more when I travel.  One of favorites of the month was:

Image result for aj fikry

It’s basically a story of transformation and second chances,  I could definitely relate.  When times are at their lowest, you never know what will surprisingly turn your life around. For AJ Fikry, it was a mysterious package that arrived at his bookstore. For me, it was tennis that transformed me into an active person, introduced to a new husband, many wonderful friends and eventually to running!

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

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Weekly Wrap for 8.20.18-8.26.18: Home Sweet Home

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Yay! No travel this week except to a girls weekend in the Adirondacks.

Last week –
  • Monday – Every year, my former co-worker and I have breakfast at the Saratoga Race Track (This was year 33, I think),  In the last few years, we have stayed and bet on the horses too.  It is loads of fun and we had the most perfect weather day of the summer.

my biggest win was $10 but I only bet $1…that way I don’t lose much

  • Tuesday – I was scheduled to play tennis after work today but it got cancelled (not enough players) so I ran (in my tennis clothes) and then met my BFF for a walk in the mall. Sorry no pix. Tennis outfit had no pockets to carry my phone.
  • Wednesday – A long day at work and before I knew it would be a training day, I had registered for a 5K race.  I seriously considered a DNS since I was tired and hungry but I did it.  It was hard and my slowest 5k in years but still no regrets. I won my age group and there was a post-race BBQ.

  • Thursday – Definitely not feeling it and I had to make food for the weekend and pack and go out for dinner & drinks with a friend but I did a quick one at UAlbany because I wasn’t sure when the next time I would have time to run.

  • Friday – Rest Day because after work, A friend & I drove up to Schroon River for my weekend with the tennis ladies. We decided (or maybe I begged her) to go for a short hike before dinner. It was a little steep but the views were worth it. Unfortunately on the way down, we both fell. (That is why I don’t do trail races.)

  • Saturday – Today was fantastic and filled with so many activities. I went out for a few short runs (to get coffee, a neighborhood loop, to the tennis courts).

Before everyone else arrived, I talked my friend into a second hike.This time we were careful on the descent. No falling!

Since this was scheduled as a tennis weekend, I actually played tennis.

After tennis, there was lunch, relaxing, swimming and a nature walk, followed by dinner.

I reluctantly left my friends a day early because I needed to be home since I was headed to NYC on Monday.

  • Sunday – Boating Sunday. Well, the hubby’s tennis team was playing in sectionals so this gave me the opportunity to do my long run. Unfortunately, the Sole Sisters ran together the day before so I was solo. I chose the Zim Smith Trail so I could reward myself at Leah’s Cakery. I did bump into some familiar faces but it was slow tedious run with lots of walking. Not much fun but I got it done.

This Coming Week –

  • Monday – rest day, train to NYC, US OPEN tennis tournament
  • Tuesday –  rest day, dinner with co-workers
  • Wednesday – rest day, train home
  • Thursday – rest day, hair appt
  • Friday – 3 miles
  • Saturday –  12 miles
  • Sunday – rest day, boating

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap 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? Are you sad to see the summer ending or are you looking forward to fall? Please share.

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