January 15, 2018 by Darlene

Weekly Wrap for 1.8.18-1.14.18: Back Outdoors

Last week –

Monday – Well, the temps warmed up a bit but then there was snow. It never ends. I was itching to get in an outside run. So I headed to the town (since it was windy as well as snowy.)

I was actually over-dressed!

Tuesday – It was supposed to be a rest day because I was scheduled to play tennis in the evening. But I also had to set up for work so I had to forfeit on the tennis 😦 But when temps reached almost 40, I had to try to find a dry path to run. So I ran 1.5 miles around parking lots and after set up, my usual campus loop.

Wednesday – After a long day at work, I needed to squeeze in one more day of running before I met my BFF for a walk around the mall.

I was rushed but got in a short one even though I forgot my gloves. Good news is that I didn’t need them!!

Thursday – Finally, I decided to take a rest day. I met a former co-worker at our free gym. I went for a short run before she arrived. We used the machines and then ate back the calories we burned off at an Indian restaurant.

50 degrees = capris and no jacket!!

Friday – A rest day and an evening playing mah jongg. It worked out perfectly because although it was in the 60s. (Yeah. Crazy temps), it rained most of the day.

temporarily, the snow had been washed away but it was to return the next day

Saturday – Another rest day due to snow, ice, wind and freezing temps. The winter warm up ended. Grateful for time to de-clutter, do laundry, cook, watch TV and knit.

just got the cuff on a sock done

Sunday – Today was the re-scheduled New Year’s Day race (Winter Series #2) There were two options and I chose the 3.5 miler. It was cold. I mean very cold (-8 wind chill) and I was tempted to stay home. But I got to see many running friends and in the end, I was glad that I went.

3.5 mile race that is actually 3.75 miles

After re-fueling and thawing out, I went back out and ran a loop to get in 7 miles for the day.

My reward – a new place for appetizers and wine – Le Bistro

Next Week –

Monday – DAY OFF!! 4-6 miles
Tuesday – 3 miles on the treadmill, tennis and my anniversary
Wednesday – rest day, hair appt.
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – 6-8 mile run, Women’s March
Sunday – rest day

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

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any snow yet?? How are dealing with the frigid temps? Please share.

January 12, 2018 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Ways to Keep Warm

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.

Today’s Topic is: Ways to Keep Warm

Unfortunately, this topic is so relevant this year. We’ve had the coldest temps since I’ve started running.

Well, one way is to stay inside and run on the treadmill or indoor track but all runners know that it’s not the same as running on the road.

So here are my FIVE TIPS:

1. Run Loops

This way you can stop if you get too cold. You can also warm up in your car and then go out for another. It is dangerous to be outside for a very long time in sub-zero temps.

I ran 2 miles in one direction and then 2 miles in the other…then QUIT!

2. Cover your face.

It’s the only place that you can’t cover with clothes but I either wear a baklava or just tie my scarf backwards and pull it over my face.

3. Wear wool.

Wool seems warmer to me. I wear a wool hat, wool mittens and wool socks. They keep me pretty toasty.

4. Use Hand warmers and/or Toe Warmers.

I just put them in my mittens and they last for 10 hours (too bad I only run for 1 lol).

5. LAYERS Everywhere

Yes, layers on top. Layers on the bottom (I wear a skirt over my tights). I even wear gloves underneath my mittens.

So you don’t have to stay inside and hunker down when it gets cold. Just bundle up and GO OUTSIDE and RUN!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running! How about you… have you been running outside in these frigid temps? Any other tips for staying warm?

January 10, 2018 by Darlene

Running Goals That Don’t Involve Running

What if I have no goals?

I don’t set any running goals!

Every other runner seems to. Why don’t I?

Recently I decided to figure why…

Here’s what I came up with. (It’s purely personal. It’s not meant to be critical of those runners who need to have goals!!!)

DESIRE

I run because I want to. I don’t need a goal to get me out the door.

SOCIAL ASPECT

I enjoy being around people. Through running I have made some great friends and I run to be around them (even if it’s only afterwards or before.) I don’t need a goal for that.

COMPETITIVENESS

I am naturally a competitive person. I like to win at board games, tennis matches,etc. So I want to run well and I want to run fast. I don’t need to set a goal. Every run and race will have different challenges. Sometimes I will do well and sometimes I will not. But I will always try to do my best. I don’t need a goal to PR. I want to PR.

FEELING GOOD

Probably the most important reason I run is that I feel better when I am done. Even after the worst runs or races. That feeling gets me out in cold or warm temps. I don’t need a goal to run X times each week. I run because I want to feel good as often as possible.

HEALTH

Don’t we all want to be healthy? Who wants to be injured? Who wants to feel aches and pains? Since I started running, I have more energy and am rarely sick or feel rundown. Nothing hurts so I don’t stretch or foam roll. When I was injured, I did the necessary exercises to heal. I don’t need goal to tell me to listen to my body.

tennis as X training?

TRAVEL OPS

I’ve always loved to see new places. Going to conferences all over the country was the highlight of my previous jobs. Unfortunately, I didn’t run then. So now, when I travel, it always involves a race. I don’t need a goal to run in every state. I choose the places that I want to visit and then I find a race.

Sarasota, FL

As you can read from the title of this post, I do have some goals but they do not involve running. Image result for my goals

Find good in everything and everyone.

This may be obvious. But I and many of us focus on what’s not working and what and whom we don’t like. It’s natural. It’s also a downer. Watching the news and reading FB posts will make this one a challenge, for sure.

Don’t just schedule my running but schedule relationships.

Yes, I always make sure that I get my 3-4 runs in each week. That makes it seem like running is a priority in my life. I see my hubby because we live together but I have friends that I rarely see because it doesn’t get scheduled. I work and then I run and then go home. So I plan to schedule time at least once a week with a friend or former co-worker.

We worked together for 20 years and rarely see each other but went to NYC last Sunday!!

Volunteer.

I have mentored an unwed mother for almost 10 years and she may be moving away. I feel strongly about giving back. Even with my busy schedule, I feel that it is important so I will try to volunteer somewhere. There are so many opportunities out there.

I will miss them!!

I’m also linking this post with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! Do you set running goals? Do you have any goals that do not involve running?

January 9, 2018 by Darlene

TOTR: Running Guilty Pleasure

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also 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: Your Running Guilty Pleasure

Many might say mine is clothes because I always have to match but truth be told, many other runners buy much more running clothes than I. I don’t need to try every new item out there and I don’t like to spent my money on running clothes.

I have NEVER gotten a massage nor have I ever seen a chiropractor.

But I am a sucker for FOOD!!

Yes, I plan my runs by location near a desirable food locale like Starbucks coffee

or any ice cream establishment.

If someone mentions food after a run, I’m there!

I feel lucky to have found a bunch of women who feel the same way! You’ll never see any empty place in front of me after a run (only an empty plate LOL).

I am especially drawn to races with good post-race food options.

Yes, I know I most likely add back more calories that I have burned running.

Life is too short!

Image result for run all the miles eat all the food

Happy Running! What is on your running guilty pleasure?

January 8, 2018 by Darlene

Weekly Wrap for 1.1.18-1.7.18 – Baby, it’s cold outside…

Last week –

Monday – New Year’s Day. I was supposed to race but it was cancelled due to the cold temps. It got up to -8 and that’s not wind chill. So I waited until it warmed up. It was sunny and warmer but the wind chill just made it unbearable. Not the 6-7 miles I was hoping for but at least I didn’t resort to the treadmill.

Tuesday – A rest day because I was scheduled to play tennis in the evening. If you remember from last week’s post, the gym there was closed due to renovations. Well, it opened early and there was an available treadmill. Enough said.

the longest slowest 3 miles ever!!!

Wednesday – A scheduled rest day due to a long drive to Buffalo for work. After set up, I decided to give the treadmill another go. No improvement!!

This was at the hotel.

Thursday – A rest day and yes, I am adapting to my new go with the flow running schedule. No running and a long drive home after work. 5 hour drive became a 7 hour drive due to a mid-drive snowstorm.
Friday – I planned on a short run before Mah jongg but it didn’t happen. It was too cold and snowy outside and I couldn’t face the treadmill for the 3rd time in one week.
Saturday – I’m hardcore but it was even too cold for me (-25 windchill) to brave our arctic temps. One of the Wineglass ladies offered me a guest pass to the Y where I ran on the indoor track. Not a fan but at least I got in some miles. Afterward four of us met for brunch.

it was even more delicious than it lloks

Sunday – An exciting day in NYC with a friend. In addition to the holiday windows (displayed for the last day), a delicious lunch, we had tickets to see the Downton Abbey Exhibit and it was amazing!!

We bundled up appropriately and din’t mind walking around the city.

Next Week –

Monday – 4 miles
Tuesday – rest day, tennis
Wednesday – 4 miles, mall walk with BFF
Thursday – 3 miles, dinner with a former co-worker
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – 6 mile run
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #2 (3.5M) race

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

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any snow yet?? How are dealing with the frigid temps? Please share.

January 5, 2018 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – January

Confessions of a Mother Runner

It’s that time of the month…

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

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that as you may know, I HATE running on the treadmill. I have successfully dragged myself out during the warmest part of the day (after work). The problem is that it has been so cold that I can’t stay out long. I am worried that this will be one of those winters. How will I ever do a run longer than 3 miles?? I do have to train for a half marathon in March!!!

Image result for running in the cold meme

Any advice on staying warm during the run?

I only lasted about 30 minutes.

Over coffee…

(related to above) I’d tell you that I was traveling for work and it was impossible to run anywhere. So I did run on the hotel treadmill. HATED.EVERY.SECOND.

I can’t run fast and I can’t run long and it’s so hot. I could go on and on.

How do you ladies do it?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am trying to plan my 2018 races … at least the half marathons. I ran 6 halfs in 2017. Not sure I want to run that many this coming year but we’ll see…

Singer Island Half on March 17, 2018

I registered for the one above. I booked my flights, contacted my friends so I have places to stay and booked my hotel for the night before the race.

I have my flight booked for Oct 6 to Paris but race registration for the race below doesn’t open until Feb 14.

Les 20km de Paris – October 14, 2018

Then there’s a RnR race. Registration isn’t open for that one yet but I do have a hotel booked for the night before.

September 23, 2018

I am still looking for a race in the spring and/or summer.Any inexpensive suggestions?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that related to the above, I can’t decide on my May half marathon. I am wavering between three:

Brooklyn Half Marathon – it’s on my bucket list, my friend Sue wants to do it but it’s on a Saturday (I work Friday), I have to work in NYC the Monday after, it’s my hubby’s B-day weekend & boating….

Steel Rail Half Marathon – it’s driveable and my current half PR but I ran it last year and would be running it alone

Jog for Jugs Half Marathon – it’s nearby and a new race but it’s on a course that I can run on for free (not too exciting).

So which one??

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I had worked in NYC for three weeks in a row. But since I don’t go back until February, my friends and I planned a day trip there for tomorrow.

Image result for downton abbey exhibit nyc

so excited to see this

Anyone love this show? One of my favorites ever.

Over coffee…

I’d tell that I was excited about working in Liverpool where there would be lots of lights where I normally run.

Image result for lights in Onondaga lake state park

Well, the lights don’t go on until dusk and they close the park at dusk. Yup, they wouldn’t let in to run. You had to pay $10 to drive your car through.

I thought about sneaking in (and might have if I had brought my knuckle lights.)

Would you have?

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I did it again. Saw a race on Facebook and on a whim, just clicked “Register.”

The deciding factor was that it only cost $30 for the half marathon. I am working on talking my BRF into doing it with me. If I DNS, it’s not a lot of money wasted.

Pelham Half Marathon – November 24, 2018

Anyone else just register and then think?

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!

January 3, 2018 by Darlene

Wednesday Word – Choice

WednesdayWordScrabbleButton

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 CHOICE

Life and RUNNING are all about CHOICE. Everyday we make CHOICES. Sometimes we make the right CHOICES and unfortunately, sometimes we make the wrong CHOICES.

So how specifically does RUNNING involves CHOICE?

RACES

There are a lot of races. How do we choose which ones to run?

—Location – Local or Race-cation?
—Surface – Road or Trail?
—Distance – 5k or Half Marathon or even longer?
—Course – Flat or Hilly? Point to Point or Loop?
—FOMO – Who else is doing it?
—Date – Are we free that weekend?
—Swag/Bling
—Previous Experience or New one
—Goals – One in every state, PR, Half Fanatic
—Cost
—Sponsorships – Rock n Blogger or ZOOMA ambassador, etc.
—Food
—The Cause/Charity

I ran this half (Celebrate Life) because my good friend had been diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer.

RUNNING PARTNERS

If we are lucky, we have many options here. Why do we choose to run with certain runners?

—Convenience – they work or live nearby
—Schedules – they run at the same time of day
—Speed – they run at our pace
—Training Goals – they help us get faster or help us slow down during long runs
—Style – they run/walk or they don’t walk or they run certain intervals
—Races – they are running the same race
—Friendship

I started to run with Alyssa because we worked close to each other but then I switched jobs. Now we run together because of many of the reasons above.

TIME OF DAY

If you work, you may have limited choices. But still, you can choose to run before work or during lunch or after work. Weather may also be a factor such as running earlier in the summer and later in the winter. Or maybe your running partner influences at what time of day you run.

ONE of the very few times that I ran before work. I almost always run after work when I have more time.

HOW OFTEN

Do we choose to run everyday? How many rest days each week do we choose to take? Again, there are factors that impact our choices:

–schedule
–injury prevention
–injury recovery
–racing plan or coach
–family obligations

playing tennis is often the reason why I do not run

LOCATION

Where do we choose to run? On the road, on a bike path, on a trail, on a track, on a treadmill? What impacts our location choose?

–weather
–injuries
–type of run
–running partner
–convenience

there was a track where I used to work and sometimes this was the most convenient location to run especially during my lunch break

TYPES OF RUNS

Unlike me, you may have a racing plan or a coach which helps you choose whether to do a tempo run, hill repeats, progression run, intervals, easy run, etc.

when I was part of a running group, the coach chose our runs

FUELING

If you make a mistake in this category, it could be costly. Just sayin. So how do we choose what to eat?

–what others recommend
–what has worked in the past
–something new
—cost
–easy (who has time to make their own?)
–how far we are running
–what we like
–what we can carry

my new favorite – tastes good and has no caffeine

RUNNING ATTIRE

In the winter, this is my most difficult choice. What do I wear to not be too warm but warm enough? What do we think about when we choose our running outfit?

—weather
—space in our bags/luggage
—comfort
—theme (in a race or for a holiday)
–-color (we have favorites)
—what looks good on us

I froze in this outfit for most of the race

Yes, there’s endless CHOICES that we have to make as Runners.

I’m also linking this post with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! What is the most difficult CHOICE that you deal with in your running? Please share.

January 2, 2018 by Darlene

2018. What’s the Word? & TOTR

Well, it’s that time of year.

Time to pick ONE WORD to focus on for the entire year.

(If you’ve never heard about the My One Word approach, here is a summary:

Lose the long the list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick one word. This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.)

2014 was the first time that I tried it. My word was:

In 2015, the word that I chose was:

I picked in 2016:

Last year, I chose the word:

So what will it be in 2018?

My first thought was the word, SURVIVE (even though someone mentioned that I should choose a word with a more positive spin.)

I’m not talking about my running per se. But how life (or specifically my job) will this year be getting in the way of my time with family, friends and yes, running.

In other words, adapt. You’ve heard the saying: “If life throws at you lemons, make lemonade.”

It doesn’t look like things will change in the near future work-wise, so what I need to do is ADAPT!

Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

Back to my word for 2018..

It will be:

According to the dictionary, Adapt means:

Change in order to survive better in a certain situation…

How will I focus on my word this year and how will it apply to running?

I will try to:

Change my attitude about my job. Be more positive. Stop whining. It is what it is.
Change my running preferences. That may mean running fewer miles or running at undesirable times (before work gulp) or even using the treadmill.
Change my expectations. This may include not participating in running groups or volunteer opportunities or even cutting back on race-cations.
Accept that sometimes “less is more.” Quality runs, quality races instead of quantity.
Accept that there may not be enough time to train adequately for longer distances or faster finish times.
Stop comparing myself to others who have more time, more flexible schedules, etc.

Honestly, all of the above will be very difficult. Maybe even impossible.

But there are people who have to ADAPT to much more difficult situations in their life (health, family, finances, etc.)

And to put a positive spin on the word ADAPT…

I will

adapt to races in new places

adapt to running on new scenic routes

use hotel, credit card, car rental and train points to take race-cations

As long as I can run and race, life won’t be so bad.

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

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

Happy Running! If you were to choose ONE word for your focus throughout this year, what word would you choose?

January 1, 2018 by Darlene

Running Update:12.25.17-12.31.17

Last week –

Monday – Christmas Day and snow had fallen. A lot of snow and it was windy. No running for me. Instead it was off to my mentee to exchange gifts with her and her two sons.

Amanda’s BF, Amanda, Richard (11), Matthew (6)

Of course, later in the day, it was time to celebrate with the family.

Tuesday – Another rest day because I was scheduled to play tennis in the evening.

that’s me in the far court

Besides it was freezing! I almost bit the bullet and used the treadmill where I play tennis. But the gym there was closed due to renovations. Guess it wasn’t meant to be.

they could renovate it in the summer when no one plays tennis indoors….

Wednesday – Single digits or not, I had to get outside for some miles. But my hands were so cold even with two pairs of gloves that I had to cut the run short.

Thursday – Well, it was even colder today!! Didn’t let it stop me. “I will survive!!”

again I cut my run short for fear of frost bite or hyperthermia

Friday – The cold weather continued but it was a rest day and an evening out for mah jongg (finally)
Saturday – Although it was cold, there was little wind and it was lightly snowing. So it felt rather nice to be out there.

I could have run longer but didn’t want to be late for brunch and it turned out I was early. Mittens helped keep my hands warm today.

I tried to convince the Wineglass ladies to brave our arctic temps and run with me. Nope, they stayed local or indoors to run but we did meet after for brunch.

Sunday – A rest day but celebrated New Year’s Eve with the hubby, tennis friends, good food, music and dancing.

Next Week –

Monday – ~~HMRRC Winter Series #2 – 3.5M race~~ cancelled due to the cold temps, 4 miles?
Tuesday – rest day, tennis
Wednesday – drive to Buffalo, rest day
Thursday – drive home from Buffalo, rest day
Friday – 3 mile run?, mah jongg
Saturday – 6-8 mile run
Sunday – rest day, day in NYC

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve? How are dealing with the frigid temps? Please share.

December 31, 2017 by Darlene

Looking Back on 2017

Image result for looking back

In a post last January, after a stressful 2016, I talked about my plans for 2017. (Read about them here.)

To summarize that post, I basically said that in 2017, I planned to “enjoy each race and focus on what is good about each one.” In other words, try not to dwell on negatives or stress out about the paces, the miles and the finish times.

And my chosen word for 2017 was “RELAX”

So let’s see how the year went… and if the “relaxing” plan helped.

With a new job that as the year progressed, added more and more travel, running became my therapy.

I made it a priority that after work I would run, no matter where I was, so I would be in racing shape for all those races that I signed up for.

And yes, that happened (most of the time).

I ran along Onondaga Lake in Liverpool, Lake Ontario and on the Erie Canal Trail in Rochester, at Canalside in Buffalo and along the East and Hudson rivers and in Central Park in Manhattan. Most times I was exhausted and hungry and it was late but I always felt better when I was done with my run.

Along Lake Ontario (Rochester)

I ran 35 races with only one DNS (due to a backache).

There were 6 Half Marathons, 13 5ks, 4 10ks and a variety of other distances.

I won’t go into detail about every race here but except for two strugglefest half marathons, I was happy with how I ran ALL the other races!!

yes, the Shape Half Marathon was not easy…

I didn’t have any time goals for my races. I just wanted to run well and have fun! And I did just that.

July – Brooklyn 5k

That being said, TEN of the 5ks (all the ones that I actually raced) had finish times under 28 minutes!! Woo! Hoo! There were MANY age group awards earned, too.

Plus, I had a half marathon PR. Even more exciting (and shocking)!!

May 21 – Steel Rail Half Marathon

Almost all my races were run with friends. They say “Running is better with friends.” And ain’t that the truth?

Wineglass pre-race dinner

RnR Vegas Half Marathon

The only negative about my year was that this past fall, I wasn’t able to participate in my favorite running group or volunteer with STEM. I wasn’t able to play tennis every Tuesday. I rarely went to gym and never hit a yoga class. Work, work, work. Darn work schedule!!!

Otherwise, I think my year went very well. I proved to myself that to have good running year, it’s not all about PRs and paces but it’s about relaxing, having fun and finding good in every race.