January 26, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: Stupid Studies, Missing Summer, Half Marathon Training

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

thinking out loud

Simple Sitting Test Predicts How Long You’ll Live.

This study has been mentioned in many fitness-related articles. Basically it says if you (as an adult aged 50 and over) can’t do the following without using you arms, legs or hands, you would be more likely to die in the next 6 years.

So like many of us who saw this, I tried it.

Well, I couldn’t do it. Not even close…

Should I be worried? Will I die soon???

Then I read many of the comments on the articles referencing this study and then I also thought about it logically.

There are so many more important factors that influence longevity:

weight
lifestyle
fitness-related activities
stress
genetics
and more

Some people are naturally flexible (even if they have never done yoga.) So they may be able to do pass this sitting test and still not be healthy.

Then others may have knee, back, ankle, foot issues that prevent them from being able to stand and sit without using their other body parts. These folks who are not over weight and are physically active will most likely live longer.

So, it’s great if you can pass the Sitting Test but if you can’t, I wouldn’t worry about your shortened lifespan.

Ice Cream in Winter

I miss summer – the sunshine, the warm temps, the longer days. The one thing I can control is what I eat.

Image result for walmart key lime ice cream sandwiches

they have salted caramel too!!

I eat ONE every night and it puts a smile on my face. Don’t judge!

Training has begun.

If you can call it training. I don’t have a plan but I do worry about my long runs on the weekend so I guess I am training for my March 5 Half Marathon in Florida.

– Jan 8 – 6 miles
– Jan 15 – 7 miles (Winter Series 10K race + .8)
– Jan 22 – 8 miles
– Jan 29 – 9 miles (Winter Series 15K race)
-Feb 5 – 11 miles or Feb 4 Polar Cap 4 mile race + 6
– Feb 12 – Winter Series 10 mile race
– Feb 19 – 12 miles
– Feb 26 – 10 miles
– March 5 – RACE DAY

My weekdays are using 2 or 3 runs of 3 or 4 miles.

Happy Running! What’s on your mind today? Can you pass the Sitting Test? Do you use an official training plan for your races? Do you eat ice cream in the winter?

January 25, 2017 by Darlene

Loving/Not Loving

l-nl

I haven’t done this in awhile so here it goes:

Loving: Noosa Yogurt ( I also add granola -usually gluten-free)

Not Loving: It’s expensive. The cheapest place to buy is Walmart. Not a fan. I prefer Target. But it is $.40 more there.

Loving: Getting out of work at 4 pm and it is still light outside. Soon I will be able to get my whole after work run in. I used to work until 5 pm in my old job (So I ran in the dark most of the winter).

Not Loving – My Job. It is what it is. And It’s not my cup of tea. But it pays the bills. Soon I will be traveling…ugh!! So far only scheduled for once or twice a month…

Loving – Our lack of snow. Sorry if you are a skier. But it’s great for us runners.

hooray for clear paths

Not Loving: My lack of motivation to work out. I haven’t gone to gym or done any strength training at home. I need a workout buddy. Plus the clothing. It’s cold out (when I run) and then it’s warm in the gym. How many outfits can I bring to work???

this photo was taken back in July

Loving: My Running Buddies. Alyssa had been busy for awhile so I was solo. Judy usually does not train in the winter. But they’re both back. I do short runs with Alyssa during the week and long runs with Judy on some weekends. Running is better with friends!!

: at UAlbany

Not Loving: Having to skip runs. If I’m not training for a big race, it really doesn’t matter but if I am (like for March 5 half marathon), I like to run 3 times during the week. This will be complicated with work responsibilities.

Today is Wednesday so I’m linking up with Coaches Corner–Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel!

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

Happy Running! What are you loving or not loving right now?

January 24, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Affording Races

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: What’s your limit on what you’ll spend on a race?

I have never done a Disney race or a marathon so I don’t usually have to spend a lot on race fees. Maybe $100 has been for the most and it was for a half marathon.

But it is not the race fees that add to the cost of the race. It’s lodging and transportation.

Here are what I do to save money:

Race Local.

Obviously. You can drive to a race and you can sleep in your own bed. I feel lucky to live in an area with an active running community. I always (except in the winter) have many choices of races.

Three of my recent local favorites – Ramblefest Half, Saratoga Palio Half, Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler):

Register Early.

As you know, the closer to the race date, the more money the race will cost.

I try to register for a race at the earliest cost. Of course, doing this, you run the risk of a possible DNS. So far, I have been fortunate and have had very few and no big races.

Collect Frequent Flier Miles or Hotel Points

If you travel a lot, these can add up and you can use them for your race-cations.

I only have ONE credit card which gives me miles. I try to charge everything on this card so that I can get a free flight and use it for a race-cation.

free flight to West Palm Beach, FL for this race!!

Visit Friends While Running A Race

Combine a trip to visit a friend or multiple friends with a race. This works really well for me (especially to visit those friends who live in warmer winter climates. LOL)

Just remember to spend time with your friends in addition to doing your race.

: HS/College BFF’s sister in LA

: 2 former co-workers who live in nearby Jensen Beach and Delray Beach

: running friend in Palm Springs

: Mah Jongg friends in Sarasota, FL

Take Advantage of Social Networking

Meeting runners through Facebook or Blogging can lead to a free place to stay as well as an awesome race experience.

: PCB Half – Dec 2016

: VCM relay with host/blogger Andrea

Happy Running! Do you spend a lot of money of racing? Any other suggestions on how to save?

January 23, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update – 1.16.17-1.22.17

Last Week:

Monday – Day off from work. Woo Hoo. Also my 18th wedding anniversary. (My hubby had to work but we went out to dinner over the weekend.)

Started the day with a plank. Kim from Running on the Fly challenged everyone last week to do a 5 minute plank. Well, I did ONE minute.

I took advantage and ran during the daylight. Judy was nice enough to cooperate and join me at the Corning Bike Path.

Judy ran 3 and I added some extra

There may have been a lot of re-fueling involved.

Starbucks was closed but I found a replacement.

Tuesday – it was a miserable rainy day so I was glad it was a rest day. I did play tennis after work.
Wednesday – another rainy day but it did let up so that Alyssa and I could squeeze in 3 after work miles.

And no we didn’t plan wearing the same shirts

Thursday– Another scheduled rest day. In the evening, my BFF and I did our usual mall walk and talk.

Friday – I did go for a 4 mile run before my evening mah jongg game. It was cloudy but at least it was not cold.

Saturday – A scheduled rest day to do errands, get things done around the house. Although I didn’t attend the Women’s marches in DC and NYC, I was there in spirit. Instead, I attended the one in Albany, NY. I went with some friends. There was a great turn out and I’m so glad I went.

Sunday – Today’s weather wasn’t as perfect as Saturday but it still wasn’t cold. I motivated myself to complete my 8 solo miles (Judy ran on Saturday) with a post-run treat from Leah’s. Unfortunately it rained most of my run even poured at times. Plus the trail was so icy that I had to run on a back road to get my miles done.

I did get my delicious post-run treat but I won’t be running here again until spring. That evening I went to the movies with friends – a perfect end to the weekend.

Image result for twentieth century women movie

it was disappointing 😦

20 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run??
Tuesday – rest day, tennis
Wednesday –4 mile run with Alyssa
Thursday – rest day, tennis birthday dinner
Friday – 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest day
Sunday – 15K race, STEM swap

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? How is your running weather? Did you march on Saturday?

January 20, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Winter Actvities

It’s Friday and 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.

This week, the theme is Favorite Winter Activities

I’ll say it up front. I hate the cold!!

If I didn’t run, I would never go outside.

I don’t ski, snowboard, ice skate, sled, snow shoe…nada!

Keeping that in mind, here are my favorites:

1. Running (only cuz I sign up for races & winter half marathons to make me get out there)

winter4-172

2. Tennis (Indoors) – I play doubles once a week.

3. Knitting – I am not very experienced but I have made socks, hats & scarfs.

IMG_4256-0

sock1

4. Cooking (on the weekends) – I love to make soups & chili.

5. Reading – I always read every night before I go to sleep.

These two are recent favorites:

Image result for man called Ove

I just started this one:

Happy Running! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

January 19, 2017 by Darlene

There’s Hope (& TOLT)

This post is for those runners who have experienced serious injuries.

This post is also for those runners who approaching those advanced years. (You know over 50 or 60…)

I only started running at age 55. In the beginning, I didn’t run in the winter nor did I run many miles at a time. It took me several years to even attempt a half marathon.

But on December 29, 2011, I thought it was all over.

enjoying a very cold run on the bike trail (on my day off)

I fell going around a patch of ice and broke my left tibia and fibula. I had to have surgery and they put in a plate and 6 screws on one side and 2 long screws on the other side. (I still have them in today.)

wore this boot for almost 4 months (non-weight bearing for 2 months)

I was told that I probably would not be able to run again and if I did, maybe just short distances.

Well, I set out to prove the doctor wrong.

It wasn’t easy because I overdid and wound up with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture in my right foot that October.

back in the boot

I did heal and I did run some races including one half. But then 8 months after the stress fracture (in June), I broke the 5th metatarsal in my left foot.

no boot – just this fancy shoe

PRs Before the Injuries

5k – 27:30 (2010)
4 mi –38:02 (2011)
5 mi – 47:03 (2011)
15K – 1:36:08(2011)
13.1 – 2:22:39 (2011)

2012 and 2013 were obviously not good years for running.

Eventually, I did heal and have been healthy ever since. At the time, I promised myself that if I could ever run again, I would be satisfied with whatever speed I could muster. I mean, I was told that I could not run again. I was 60 years old now! Being injury-free was much more important than PRs…

Well, if anyone knows me, they know that I am competitive and stubborn. I became determined to see if it were true. Would that serious injury prevent me from running fast? Would getting older slow me down, as well?

PRs After the Injuries

5k – 27:11 (2014)
4 mi – 37:27 (2015)
5 mi – 45:26 (2015)
10K – 57:03 (2014)
15K – 1:31:25 (2015)
10 mi – 1:38:45 (2014)
13.1 – 2:08:59 (2016)

As you can see, the answer was NO!

So I am writing this post to show runners that you shouldn’t give up nor should you always listen to what others say. Because sometimes if you believe you can, then you will.

Remember though that there are injuries that will prevent you from running and there will be a time when age will be a factor in your speed. Only you will know when.

Image result for hope after injury running ecard

yes, this will happen but hopefully not for a few years…

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

thinking out loud

Happy Running!

January 18, 2017 by Darlene

Winter Series #3 10K Race Recap

As I have mentioned before, the Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsors FREE races throughout the winter for its members. The course is pretty boring but free is free.

This weekend, they offered distances of 3M, 10K and 25K. I haven’t really started training for my March 5 half yet but I am trying to keep a 6 mile weekend base distance. So the 10K would be perfect.

For some reason, I didn’t run this race last year but I did in 2015 & 2013.

after the 2105 10K race

I have run a fair amount of 10ks and my PR is 57:03. I haven’t been particularly successful on this course. In 2015, I finished in 1:00:24 and 1:08:18 in 2013.

As per my “relaxing” theme for the year, I wouldn’t be trying for a PR. I planned to just run and have fun.

I got lucky with the weather. It was sunny and a balmy 30 degrees. As usual on this campus, it was windy.

I left early to get parking since these races are often crowded and there could be other events going on at UAlbany. But there didn’t seen to be as many runners as in previous weeks.

What I love about this local race is that you get to see a lot of people that you know.

I immediately bumped into many familiar faces and even some runners that I haven’t seen in awhile. (I met 2 more runners who are doing the Shape Half in April 🙂 )

I wound up talking to Sherri as I did last race and we stayed indoors until the last minute and then made our way outside. However she was running the 3 miler and they lined up in a different location.

When I got to 10k start, I found Judy who was running the 10K also.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous race post, the Winter Series races are very informal – no bibs, no starting mat, no timing chips, etc. So I try to start not too far from the front.

As usual, when you start up front, you immediately get passed by by it seems everyone. These races attract all the speedy local runners too.

: 2018

I just told myself that this was simply a fun run and just take it at your own pace. Having not warmed up, my legs felt like lead and I couldn’t get moving. Then I looked down at my Garmin and realized that it was dead. I had not charged it!! Duh!

It wouldn’t be so bad if there were mile markers at this race. But there were none!!

So I just ran. No idea what my pace was. That didn’t bother me as much as not knowing if I were at mile 3 or 4 or where I was in the race.

The weather was perfect (except for the last few miles where you were running into the wind). I was a little over dressed. The sun made it feel much warmer than it was. I was sweating. I took off my gloves and unzipped my jacket but that was all I could do.

The course is very boring (zero scenery besides office buildings and highway) but it also has inclines. Nothing steep, just enough to keep it interesting. I wanted to be better about hills and not walk up them. And I didn’t for the first three miles but after that I did walk several times.

There were 1 water stop but I wasn’t sure if it were mile 3 or 4 and decided not to bother stopping or even take the GU that I was carrying.

This race proved that I do need my Garmin!!! I could tell that I was slowing down throughout the race by the runners that were passing me by. But I had no idea where I was in the race and what my pace was.

The good part was that I felt great during the whole race. No aches and pains. No blisters.

winter3-343

Eventually I did see the finish line and saw a time for the first time in the race. It said 59:xx. I sped up and managed to crossed around 59:58. (Phew! At least it was under 1 hour!!) There’s no timing chip. You honestly write down your time on a piece of paper and hand it in. (Without my Garmin, I’m not even sure if I got my time correct.)

ws3

I was 120 out of about 175. This is a fast group, as usual.

I chatted with others at the finish line while waiting for Judy to cross.

Then I went inside to warm up and have some soup (red pepper & quinoa), bread, cookies, fruit, hot chocolate. Not a bad spread for a free race. I didn’t eat as much as normal since I would be having brunch later.

They gave awards for the top 2 in each 10 year age group. I think that I was 5th this week.

I was happy with the results. Though it was almost 3 minutes slower than my PR, it was actually a PR for this course. Besides, I know that I would have been faster if I had my Garmin.

Race splits: NONE

As any runner would, I decided to add .8 miles so I could finish the day with 7 miles.

Then I rushed home to change out of my sweaty clothes. Judy had invited me and 6 other runners to her house for brunch. It was lovely. I am told that the food was even healthy. We chatted about running mostly, of course. I think everyone had a nice time.

Today is Wednesday so I’m linking up with Coaches Corner–Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel!

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

Happy Running! How you are enduring the winter? Did you run this weekend?

January 17, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Favorite Winter Running Gear

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: Favorite Winter Running Gear

Related image

Sometimes I feel like the photo above.

But as they say:

Image result for no cold weather just the correct clothes

So these items are what gets me through the winter:

Wool socks – SmartWool are my favorites. If I wear capris, I wear the SmartWool compression sleeves to stay warm.
Warm Hat and gloves – any brand will do – I often wear Under Armour.

Light Jacket with layers – I hate to get over heated. I’m a fan of Target running clothes (C9 brand).

Running skirt with tights – the tights keep me warm enough and the skirt adds an extra layer – Skirt Sports is my preferred brand.

Hangover_Half-156-XL_edited

YakTrax if it is very snowy. They keep you from slipping and sliding.

Happy Running! And you? What is your favorite winter running gear? Please share…

January 16, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update – 1.9.17-1.15.17

Last Week:

Monday – Another frigid day. But I sucked it up and went for a run.

brrrr – it was 20 not 15 (like Sunday) but felt colder

I decided to get a sub for tennis since I was scheduled to play the next night (Don’t want to overwork this “old” body.)

Tuesday – A rest day for me. A quick lunchtime walk and tennis after work (followed by dinner out.)
Wednesday – Things started warming up so I gladly took a neighborhood run.

It was 52 degrees at lunch time?! Love this weather!

Thursday– Another scheduled rest day. 50 degrees with rain. Crazy weather.

Friday – I did go for a 4 mile run before my evening mah jongg game. Cold windy weather was back. Not a fan!

the good news – more daylight, no ice, no snow

Saturday – A scheduled rest day to do errands, get things done around the house. The hubby and I did go out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary.
Sunday – Today I ran the Winter Series #3 10K race. No Garmin! No mile markers! Truly a naked race. Not a fast one, obviously, but still had fun.

Judy also ran this race and I waited for her at the finish line

Of course, I had to run .8 miles to make it 7 miles for the day.

After the race, Judy hosted a brunch at her house. There were 8 of us – all runners for good food and great conversation.

18 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – Day off from work, 5 mile run with Judy
Tuesday – rest day, tennis
Wednesday –3 mile run with Alyssa
Thursday – rest day, mall walk with bff
Friday – 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest day, March
Sunday – 8 mile run

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?

January 13, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0 – Where would I love to go this winter? Where do I dream about racing?

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.

This week, the theme is Dream Vacations or Winter Destinations

For a Winter Destination, of course, it would have to be someplace warm and a place that has a half marathon:

1. Key West, FL.

I have always wanted to go to Key West. (I mean, I am a Parrothead lol) and I’ve heard that this January Half has a beautiful course.

2. New Orleans, LA

I was in NOLA years ago for a conference and loved it – the food, the language, the atmosphere and it would be cool to go back and run this race. (I did sign up for this March race but just can’t afford it this year.)