December 12, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – My last day in Panama City Beach and I wanted to hit 1000 miles for the year here.

I loved running here!!! (The donuts were an added bonus.)

And I did.

Tuesday – Back to reality – work and cold weather and a needed rest day to unpack, do laundry, shop etc.

Wednesday – I decided to go for a run since I wasn’t scheduled for tennis except that I didn’t realize that they didn’t turn the lights on in the Crossings.

Thursday– Another cold day and I had too much to do so I bailed on my run. (I got spoiled in Fla. The cold is depressing.)

Friday – Another rest day – a holiday party at work and I hosted Mah Jongg at my house.

I forgot to take of pic of my dessert plate – so many delicious ones.

Saturday – Weather is getting colder – the coldest of the year so far and I had an evening 5k.

Had a fun time even running on tired legs.

Sunday – Annual Holiday Trip to NYC. What a great day!

11 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days (Taking a training break, obviously)

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run before tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run, dinner with a friend
Wednesday – rest day, STEM thank you dinner
Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Friday – rest day, Painting party to celebrate mentee’s b-day
Saturday – 6 mile run, tennis holiday party
Sunday – rest day

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going?

December 10, 2016 by Darlene

My Year in Running – 2016

I’ve been doing Miss Zippy’s Year in Running post for several years now. I did 2015, 2014, and 2013 and so even though Amanda has given it up, I wanted to write this post. Luckily, Courtney has taken it on, so I’ll link up with her again this year.

Best Race Experience: Hands down. Panama City Beach Half Marathon. I’ve run 42 races so far this year. I’ve enjoyed them all in different ways. But none compare to the PCB Half. It wasn’t my best finish time. It wasn’t even the most scenic course. But spending the race weekend with 7 other awesome women/bloggers/runners made it THE BEST EVER.

pre-race giggles at Pier Park, Panama City Beach

Best Run: For the first time since I started running, I’ve run over 1000 miles in one year. I’ve had many good runs. The most satisfying, however, was the one I ran along the Hudson River (in NYC) with Anna (from Russia). I inspired her to become a runner and this was the first time that we ran together. (She flew to NYC from Moscow to run with me!!)

along the Hudson River, NYC

Best new piece of gear: Not much is new this year except for my Apple Watch but I haven’t fully given it my seal of approval for running yet. I still love my Nike Zoom Vomero 10s and have added to my collection as well as my GGU skirts from Skirt Sports.

Best piece of running advice you’ve received: “Never Give Up.” Coincidentally it was on the bracelets that Wendy gave us before the PCB Half.

I thought that my speed was gone. My PR days were over! The last decent half that I had run was in January of 2015. But I didn’t give up and it took me until October 2016 to get that PR.

I hope to continue to believe that I can get faster. And if I can’t, to always do my best in my races.

Most Inspirational Runner(s): I would say the Karens. One competed her first marathon after suffering from all kinds of foot pain (and with an amazing time) and the other trained diligently for her 2nd marathon (NYC) and had a huge PR.

Lucky me. I got to meet them both!!

Favorite picture from a run or race this year: A friend took the one on the left. This is one of my favorite nearby places to run. The one on the right was taken during the hardest halfs that I’ve ever run.

: Delmar Rail Trail

: Celebrate Life HM

Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: There were many. Of course, it would be Panama City Beach but that would depend on Holly inviting me again.

So I’d have to say my half marathon PR. Everyone loves an unexpected PR. I also ran the race on a pretty course and with a friend who also had a PR. Maybe next year, it will be warmer and drier.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?

Races, Skirts and Friends.

It’s been a great year for all 3.

42 races !! 15 new ones!! 3 Race-cations!!!

: Sarasota Music Half

: April 2016 – chilly in Lake George, NY

Again I was selected as a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain. I love the company and especially their products. I am proud to represent them on every run and every race!!

Nov 13 – 15k

I ran with Judy in NYC, acquired Alyssa as a new running partner and continued to run with Barbara. I have also made many friends through running groups and races. Of course, the icing on the cake was being invited to a girls weekend and meeting 6 other running bloggers.

: 2016 – 28:24

Happy Running! Answer a few of these questions in a comment or post to your blog.

December 8, 2016 by Darlene

Panama City Beach Half Marathon Recap on TOLT

Half Marathon December 3, 2016

Half Marathon Training

I’ve never been so relaxed and excited for a half marathon. Relaxed because my last one was a PR and excited because it would be part of a Girls Weekend with seven other awesome runners/bloggers.

That being said, there was not much serious training going on.

: 10/30

: Stockade-athon 15k – 11/13

: 11/20

These three runs would have do as my long runs. I ran my usual 3-4 miles several times during the week.

Pre-Race Preparations

Holly has run this race before and she recommended it so I trusted her.

The race emails also made the race seem so fun:

Come run on the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches.

What other race has an after party at Jimmy Buffer’s Margaritaville where you’ll receive free beer and gumbo?

All runners will receive a long -sleeve t-shirt and swag bag.

I had decided to wear what I wore at my previous Florida half marathons (tank and skirt) with a possible throwaway and DIY arm warmers.

Holly graciously offered to let us stay in her cute little house on the water in Panama City Beach.

view from Holly’s house

Once everyone arrived on Friday, we took an obligatory sunset group pic and then we took off to Dave & Busters to pick up our race shirt and bib. It was super easy and took no time at all. Next we headed to a nearby restaurant to carb load for next day. We choose a pizza place and I was in heaven. (I even had gelato for dessert.)

Then we drove back to Holly’s and headed right to bed because we had a half marathon the next morning.

NOT!

We stayed up and chatted and chatted… So much fun getting to know each other. Although we had been reading each other blogs for years, I was surprised to find out all the things we had in common and how supportive, friendly, warm and fun-loving they all were. I knew already that this was going be a great weekend.

Thanks to Wendy for our Momentum bracelets

and to Holly for the fuzzy socks!!

Race Day

The race was scheduled to start at 7:30 am. So we got up around 5:30 am. I had my usual oatmeal/tea breakfast that I had brought from home.

Everyone was so excited for the race. Coach Marcia led us in some stretching and then off we went.

This was my 7th Florida half marathon. The weather has been warm, cold, windy, or humid. For this race:, it was cool (50s) but not too cool, a little breezy, with no humidity, and it was overcast. It couldn’t have been more perfect. No need for throw-away clothes for the first time in a while.

me and Holly modeling our Skirt Sports skirts

Holly lived only a few minutes away from the race start. How great was that? And there was lots of parking and real restrooms.

Before we knew it, it was time to snap a quick pic (There was lot of picture taking on this trip.) and squeeze in among the other runners and start the race.

As you can see from the map above, the route is out and back right along the beach. It is also FLAT! Woo Hoo!

The race is a blur as usual but here’s how I remember it:

Miles 1-4:

9:40, 9:46, 9:53, 9:47

Wendy started out front. Holly, Karen & I started out together. Tricia & Mary Beth were a little behind us. Judy and Marcia were behind them somewhere.

I was feeling very strong at the beginning. Holly dropped back for a while so Karen & I ran together. Eventually Karen started to slow and run at her own pace. Holly, who is much faster, sped on ahead too.

I did not try to keep up with Holly but I enjoyed watching her up ahead. I focused on running at a good yet even pace. And surprisingly, the hotels did not block the water view as much as I had feared. I always enjoy the salt water smells and views of the gulf when I run. So this race did not disappoint here.

It seemed breezy during the first few miles and of course, we were running into the wind. Did that mean that the wind would be at our backs for our last tired miles? (Nope. Didn’t happen.)

The course also had water & Gatorade stops at EVERY mile. It was not warm so I did skip the first one but after that, I thought it best to stop and I used them as a walk breaks.

Miles 5-8:

10:07, 9:47, 10:01, 10:27

Unfortunately, my usual foot pain did rear its ugly head. I had mole skin on the bottom of the foot but it seemed to have moved and the rest of race, it felt like I had a ball under my foot. UGH! It was not debilitating pain just annoying.

What I enjoyed about this race was that it was an out and back. That meant that I was able to cheer on and high five all my friends when they passed me by or when I passed them by.

I saw everyone except Marcia and was very happy to see how well they were running.

As for me, my first half time was great. I knew if I could keep it up, I would PR! Perfect weather & a flat course…why not?

Spoiler alert – it did not happen 😦

Miles 9-12:

10:19, 10:18, 10:23, 10:17

Did I go out too fast? Did I not have enough long runs during my training? Did my achy foot slow me down?

Who knows? But after 7 miles, things started going south.

I started slowing down. I could not keep my pace under 10. My lower back started bothering me. Still I was enjoying the race.

But doing the math, I realized that I could no longer PR. So I just ran and walked when I was tired. Why kill myself??

Mile 13-14:

9:52, 8:28

pcb1

After I crossed under the Pier Park arch, I saw my friends cheering me on, I tried to speed up and drag my tired legs through the finish line.

I crossed at 2:11:xx.

: Panama City Beach Half

Right after me, Karen finished and soon after that came Tricia and Mary Beth. They had all run so well. In fact, Tricia and Mary Beth had PRs. (Congrats to their coaches, too!)

Mary Beth & I made the newspaper!!

Wendy & Holly had finished earlier with amazing times. We all walked over to the computer to print our results.

Believe it or not, my chip was defective and it did not record me running the race. UGH!!!

It worked out fine, though. They were very nice and manually added my Garmin time into the computer.

Garmin Time: 2:11:18

Phew!

So we walked back to the course so we could see Judy finish. And she ran a great race and finished with a big PR.

Now it was time to head to Maragaritaville to get our free beer and gumbo.

They were also giving out awards there.

And guess what? I won FIRST in my old lady age group. Age Groups Rock!

Post Race:

Of course, we were starving after running 13.1 miles so we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. The restaurant was conveniently located so we could watch and cheer on the marathoners who were still out on the course.

We were all on a race high for the rest of the day.

the water was chilly but it felt good after running 13.1 miles!

yes, we did this on ONE take!

After numerous photo shoots on the beach, we took off our medals and resumed our celebrating at a karaoke oyster bar.

Additional race reflections:

The Good:

Organized packet pick-up.
Lots of parking at the start and close by to where we were staying
Real bathrooms before the race.
Running a race with 7 friends.
Flat course with water views.
Lots of water stops (every mile)
No major injuries (just the usual foot & back issues)
Free beer and gumbo (or chili) after the race.
Perfect weather conditions.

The Bad:

Water stop at mile 8 ran out of water.
Margaritaville ran out of gumbo and there were runners who ran 26.2 who had to settle for chili.
I didn’t push hard after I realized that I couldn’t PR.

The Ugly:

Nothing really.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes, definitely.

I have run more scenic courses with better swag. I have had better finish times. But what made this race so special was sharing the experience with these 7 amazing women – cheering them on, celebrating their success and feeling their unconditional support.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

A few 5ks , a 10k, a 15k, a 10 miler and then another half marathon in Florida on March 5, 2017.

And since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

thinking out loud

Happy Running! What’s on your mind today? At what race have you had the most fun?

December 7, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Organize

WednesdayWordScrabbleButton

Every Wednesday, 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 week’s word is ORGANIZE.

In other words, if you want to run a 5K, you plan your runs, sign up for a race and then you make it happen.

The same goes for running a half or full marathon.

Some of us have lives that are easier to organize than others. But if it’s your dream, you prioritize things so that you achieve it.

Quotes Staying Organized

That being said, I’m not one for official plans. But I do sign up for races way in advance and I do plan out my runs each week. Someday I will even plan out strength training and speed work.

Without a plan for your running, you have less of a chance at achieving the results that you’d like.

I realized this early on when I tried to find quickly what I wanted to wear to go out for a run or a race.

Now thanks to my stepsons moving out, I’ve taken over their dressers and organized my stuff.

Stepson #1’s room –

drawer for socks
drawer for running skirts
drawer for long sleeve tops
drawer for capris & tights

Stepson #2’s room –

drawer for tanks
drawer for short sleeve tops
closet for hats, gloves and jackets

I keep my shoes in my own closet.

Tip: in all of the drawers, I roll my stuff so I see everything.

Happy Running! Are you organized? Any tips to share?

December 6, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: What I learned in 2016

Since today is Tuesday, 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: Tell us something new you learned about running in 2016

Well, I learned a few things.

Carpe Diem

Yes, Seize the Day. I got spoiled with the amount of time off (and the salary) that was afforded me with my last job.

I am glad that I took those race-cations because they won’t be as frequent in the future.

: Sarasota FL

: VCM Relay – 2016

: NYC

You have to take advantage of those opportunities because you don’t know when they will disappear. (This applies to good health as well as free time.)

I can still get faster.

That 5k PR still stands from 2014 but I shocked myself with a half marathon PR. So I’m not giving up the idea of getting one for the 5k, 10k and 15k …YET.

Running is better with others.

It is easier to schedule your running when you run alone. I did that for most of my week day runs last year. However, you run better/faster if you run with someone else and it’s more enjoyable so you may run longer.

I guess that’s why I race so much but this year, in addition to Judy, I have found two more running partners.

Thanks Alyssa and Barbara

Happy Running! What did you learn about running this past year?

December 5, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I used to run in Washington Park after work all the time. But now that I changed jobs, I usually don’t feel like driving there and UAlbany is much closer. Tonight I decided to run there because I wanted to see the holiday light displays.

Tuesday – Just a Rest day. I took a wet walk at lunch and I didn’t even play tennis. I did some errands and finished packing for my trip.
Wednesday – Due to the rainy forecast, I had planned to get up early to run but it was just too dark and foggy… So another rest day with no burning off calories consumed at my monthly dinner out with my tennis friends.

Thursday – Not ideal but I felt I had to get some miles in so I squeezed in a short one before my flight.

Judy & I flew (via Atlanta) to Panama City Beach, FL. No travel issues and Holly was nice enough to pick us up at the airport and drive us to her house where we would be staying for the next 5 days.

Friday – Rest day but a busy day with bib pickup, carb loading and hanging out with 7 other awesome bloggers.

Saturday – We ran the Panama City Beach Half Marathon. We all finished – there wer sone PRs and I even won my age group. We all had a blast. Then we celebrated, of course.

Sunday – We started the day with a walk to get donuts followed by a short slow recovery run with a view of the ocean.

that’s WALK not work

20 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 6 mile run in Fl, fly home
Tuesday – Rest day, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – Rest day, holiday party at work, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – 5k race (in the evening)
Sunday – Rest day, day trip to NYC (an annual holiday tradition)

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going?

December 3, 2016 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – December

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in December, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that when they first told me that I was spending two 5 day stints in Manhattan for work, I was bummed. I would miss my training group runs, my running partners, my tennis games, etc. And I would be stuck indoors from 8 am – 4 pm every day.

But now I am bummed that they won’t be sending me back to NYC. In the future, I will taking day trips to places in Upstate New York – not scenic and only for one night. No fun!

I loved the view from my hotel room.

: from the 25th floor

: from the 19th floor – the Empire State Building was a different color each night

I walked everywhere. Never had to drive or take public transportation.

I walked to work and back – at least one mile each way. I took a walk during lunch. In the evenings, I walked all around the city including Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and Times Square.

I squeezed in a run whenever I could.

I ran after work, before work and even during lunch.

I got to do some cool things in my free time.

I took a ride on the Sea Glass Carousel at Battery Park, saw a Broadway show both weeks and ate some great NYC food (Greek, pizza, bagels & lox, crepes, and more.)

: the Humans

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am Star Obsessed. That’s collecting stars from Starbucks so I can get free coffee. Except that it’s not really free because I have to spend money to earn stars. But there are always perks to earn extra stars and I’m on it!

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I usually enjoy decorating for the holidays. I celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas but most of my decorations are non-denominational -Snowmen everywhere.

pic from last year

This year, I just don’t feel holly jolly. (The election results, perhaps?)

Anyway, my house has no decorations yet. The only thing I’ve done is buy a few gifts and make my photo holiday cards.

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am in Florida right now. I am about to run my 23rd Half Marathon in Panama City Beach. I don’t know how the race will turn out but spending the weekend with fellow bloggers Holly, Tricia, Wendy, Marcia, Mary Beth, Karen and Judy promises to be a blast!

Happy Running! Got anything to spill?

December 2, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Girls Weekend Race-cation

I am 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.

I have traveled to California and Vermont to run a half marathon with one friend. I have also spent a weekend in Philly with 4 other women to run a half marathon and it was so much fun.

Spoiler Alert: I am currently in Panama City Beach with 7 other awesome women and tomorrow we will be running a half marathon together!!!!!!!!!!!!!

raceaddict
My topic for today is Five Reasons to Take a Girls Weekend Race-cation.

1. Training Support

Heidi, Adrienne & 1 training together for March 2014 race weekend in Philly

When you are training for the same race, you get support for your runs and race goals either in person or virtually.

sharing some miles with Judy

In addition to local blogger Judy, I have connected with and supported my other partners in crime for this weekend’s race through blogging, Instagram and FB.

2. Cost Savings

Lisa & Andrea – my roommates whom I had never met before the weekend in Philly

It is definitely cheaper to share a room with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.

This time, Holly has graciously offered her home to 7 running bloggers – most of whom she has never met in person. Thank you Holly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Visiting New Places

even in the rain, we visited all the sites of Philly

I love to travel and explore new cities. I have never been to Panama City Beach or this part of Florida. I am especially looking forward to beach views and sunsets.

source

4. Sharing Your Racing Experience With Others

the Philly group – Andrea, Adrienne, Lisa, Heidi, me (& Heidi’s hubby)

I have raced most of my half marathons alone. I have enjoyed each one but not nearly as much as the one in Philly (in spite of the rain). We went to the expo together, carb loaded the night before, lined up at the start and met after the race to debrief.

I am sure the same will be true this weekend and I expect it to be totally awesome!!

5. Forging New Friendships

Andrea & I at VCM relay

The Philly group has kept in touch on Facebook. I have bumped into Andrea at several races. We had planned another race-cation with Lisa but ZOOMA Cape Cod got cancelled. We still hope that another will happen in the future.

I can’t wait to share everything that happens with my NEW FRIENDS this weekend in Panama City Beach!!!

( Maybe not everything – What happens in Panama City Beach stays in Panama City Beach, right?)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken a Girls Weekend Race-cation?

December 1, 2016 by Darlene

November Recap & TOLT

Image result for november Time has just flown by. I can’t believe that it is now December. I feel like I just wrote my October Recap.

Anyway, here’s how November turned out:

Weekday Runs:

We’ve been lucky and had a pretty mild November with very little rain or cold temps (until the last week.) So I was able to run at least 3-4 times outdoors each week which is great because I do not have a treadmill at home.

I ran mostly at UAlbany (near work). It’s easier than driving to run. Plus, it’s now dark when I get out of work.

I ran mostly alone. Barbara was injured. Alyssa was busy and I was in NYC one week.

It’s definitely more fun running with friends. I hope I get to do that more next month.

Long Runs:

There were a few of these! One was a 15k race race, one was miles added to a 5k race and one was actually 8 uninterrupted miles.

: 11/2

: 11/20

: 11/26

: 15k – 11/13

Total Mileage:

I ran 90 miles this month – 6 fewer than last month (cuz I missed a long run) but I should definitely hit 1000 for the year next month. (After Saturday, I will be at 993!!)

nov16

Races:

I ran six races this month – a 15k, a 10K and four 5ks.

Yes, 6!!!

: Dash to the Finish 5k

: Veteran’s Day 5k – 27:51

: Stockade-athon 15k – 11/13

: GOTR 5k (STEM mentor)

: Turkey Trot 10k and 5k

I was generally happy with how they all went. I did not have PR goals but my finish times were not far off. I even won an age group award in the Veteran’s Day 5k.

14976488_773584866112521_935004535777035098_o

I knew runners at all of the races and they were all super fun. As you can guess I LOVE RACING!! I wish there were more races during the winter months.

Cross Training:

I still play tennis (indoors now.) I am scheduled to play two Tuesdays a month but do get called to sub on some of the other weeks.

I DID NOT go to a single yoga class!! Someday I will. I hope!

Miss you, Maria!

I did NOT workout at the gym or at home at all. Total slacking here again this month!!

I did walk almost every day at lunch for 30 minutes – Either around the outdoor shopping mall to get a Starbucks coffee or around a short nature trail. When I was in NYC, I walked everywhere!!

what’s not to like about working near here for 5 days…

Other News:

My running groups ended this month.

I ran with the Troy Turkey Trot Challenge advanced group several Monday evenings. Those were the only times that I did any speed workouts. I hope to see these women (and do drills) again in the spring for the Freihofer Training Challenge group runs.

I volunteered with STEM group on most Wednesday evenings. Their 5k race took place on Nov. 19. It was a tremendously rewarding experience. I plan to volunteer again with this group, as well.

Jenn on the left is the founder of the group, Kim in the middle is our success story

I extended my race trip to NYC because my friend Anna from Moscow flew in and invited 2 of her Russians friends (now living in DC & Chicago) to join her. We had a busy time yet fun time together. And I got to meet fellow blogger, Karen, again.

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Looking Ahead:

My next half marathon is December 3 and I am very excited. It will also be a blogger meet-up!! I’m actually more excited about this than the race itself.

I do have a few races coming up. Things slow down around here when it gets cold.

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