November 26, 2016 by Darlene

Runfessions – November

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

Don’t be jealous but I am meeting her in the flesh next weekend!!!! Woo Hoo!!

I runfess…

I was in NYC for work for 5 days last week. I packed very light. In fact, I only brought ONE pair of capris and one sport bra. Don’t judge. I packed 3 different tops.

I runfess…

Though I was in NYC for work, my mind was fixated on “Where and when I could run each day.”

I was more prepared this time than the last. I knew where to run. I planned better too. I ran on the way to work (left clothes there the day before) and during lunch.

East River Greenway is great place to run.

I runfess…

I ran SIX races this month. Remember I suffer from the FOMO disease.

I ran two in one week and two in one day!!

: Nov 11 – 5k

: 2016 – 10K

Of course, I am running a race next weekend too.

I runfess…

Running 6 races in November just means that my long runs were non-existent or should I say non-traditional.

5k plus 10 with several breaks

I runfess…

Does anyone have amnesia when it comes to dressing for a new season? I can never remember what to wear for what temperature. That’s why I love summer. No decisions – skirt & tank.

Now it’s – what kind of hat, which gloves, how many layers, tights or capris? And it takes awhile to get it right.

overdressed?

I runfess…

I have a half marathon next Saturday. I am more excited about meeting some fantastic bloggers than about my finish time. So I hope Holly, Tricia, Marybeth, Wendy, Karen, Marcia & Judy can pull me through these 13.1 miles.

Happy Running! Anything to Runfess?

November 25, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Being a Running Mentor

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.

Today’s topic is a free one so I am choosing: Five Reasons To Mentor New Runners

1. Finding New Places To Run

When I volunteered in the STEM program last year, I ran at UAlbany because the group chose to run there. Now that I changed jobs, it has become my go to place to run. It’s safe and lit up at night. And in the winter, they keep the sidewalks clean.

2. Meeting New People

The other mentors in the STEM program are awesome. It’s always fun to meet other runners. We bond instantly. I always look forward to meeting the new mentors each year.

last June – runners & mentors

I haven’t had as much contact with the running buddies in GOTR but the ones I have met were very nice.

3. Fits into your Running Schedule

I run after work anyway. So my STEM runs fit right in. Yes, they are walk/run but often, I get there early and run a few miles or I stay afterward to run. It causes no lapses in my training.

4. Making a Difference in Someone Else’s Life

I can’t explain how it feels to watch women who have suffered so much in their lives be successful.

And to see the joy young girls get from participating in their first race.

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I actually did so little but hopefully me being at their practices and races did make a difference.

5. It’s motivating.

New runners’ enthusiasm for running is contagious. It actually makes me want to run more!!

FRW - 2010

The picture above was from my first mentoring experience in 2010. They were a bunch of young mothers running their first 5k. These ladies actually are responsible for me pushing myself to try a half marathon.

Recently my friend from Russia decided to become a runner (because of me). I guess I mentored her from afar without even realizing it. She even hired a coach back in Moscow. We got to run together for the first time recently when she flew to NYC to run a 5k.

along the Hudson River, NYC

Happy Running! Have you ever mentored a new runner? If so, how did you benefit?

November 23, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Gratitude

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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 GRATITUDE

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This year (as in other years) I am grateful for…

MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY (my hubby & my kitties)

My hubby allows me the freedom to be me. That means patiently waiting for me to run or race before we go boating during the summer months and scheduling our activities around my running. I am grateful that he is there to support me.

Jun - 10m bucket list race

My 4 cats give me unconditional love with their lap cuddles and purrs.

Jerry, the oldest (19 years old) & my personal favorite

Honey & Billy, the youngest (11 years old)

Slater (about 12 years old) and my hubby’s favorite

MY HEALTH

Of course that means being healthy enough to do the activities I enjoy — RUNNING, tennis, walking/hiking, boating. I don’t take it for granted. I have been NOT able to do it too many times. I am so grateful to be healthy all of 2016!!

snapseed

MY FRIENDS

I am still in contact with a few friends from high school and college. It is great to connect with them and reminisce (about the good old days.) I have also made a bunch of GREAT friends as an older adult from the activities that I do…tennis friends, boating friends, quilting friends, mah jongg friends, running friends, etc. And I also have several from work (all 3 of my careers.) All of these people are precious to me and I am grateful to have them in my life.

college

tennis

teaching

junior year in France

mah jongg

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boating

SOCIAL NETWORKING – (Facebook, Instagram, Blogs, etc.)

The people I connect with are my virtual friends. I have met new people and can connect with ones that live too far away to see. I have learned a lot from Facebook and from my fellow Bloggers. Sometimes I have been lucky enough to meet them in the flesh. So I guess I am grateful for the Internet and those smart folks who have invented software that can connect people.

Alyssa and Barbara from FB

former blogger Andrea

bloggers Judy and Karen

RUNNING

Running has changed me. I discovered it late in life (at age 55). It has made me more confident, independent and I feel healthier and younger than ever. I am most grateful to this sport and what it has given me.

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Happy Running! What are you most grateful for?

November 21, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I arrived in NYC this afternoon for work. As soon as I checked into my hotel, I took off for a run. I headed toward the Hudson River. I planned on 3 miles but with all the stopping for lights and photo ops, it was 5 slow ones.

After dinner, since it was a warm evening, I went for a walk to Bryant Park and hung out there for awhile.

Tuesday – It was pouring during my long walk to work. But it stopped so I could take a stroll during lunch.

This cup brightened my wet morning walk

That evening, I went out to dinner with some other trainers.

view from my hotel room. Different color every night.

Wednesday – I had left my work clothes at work the day before so that I could get up early and run along the East River before work. And it was amazing. I could have run forever but I had to return to work by 8 am 😦 )

After dinner (NYC pizza – yummy!), I walked to Times Square. I wanted to get cheap tix to The Big Comet, but when I found out that Josh Groban called in sick, I went next door and got tix for Dear Evan Hansen which was in previews. Great decision! The show as awesome (and tix were more than 50% off.)

adding to my red cup collection when killing time before the show

Thursday – Today I decided to bring running clothes to work so I could run during lunch. I ran the same place as Wednesday morning but a shorter route since I didn’t need to run as far to get to the river and I ran in the opposite direction.

I had still hopes of seeing Josh Groban but he was still sick. So I walked around Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park… Taking in this warm weather and walking ops. (Returning to normal life soon! 😦 )

Friday – Last day of work in NYC. No running today but a walk to/from work and a long one during lunch.

Then that evening, I took the train back home.

Saturday – Today I went to a 5k that I would not be racing. Instead I would be helping a STEM runner complete her first 5k. Much more rewarding than any PR I’ve ever had.

When I was done, though I didn’t feel like it, I ran some more miles so this could count as a long run. Thanks Judy for the company on 7 of those miles.

Sunday – Rest day and catching up after being away for 5 days. Good thing since it seems like winter arrived. That afternoon, I played mah jongg and int he evening, we all went out to dinner (Chinese of course) to celebrate out 8th anniversary of playing mah jongg together.

the whole gang minus 2

25.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – last Troy Training Challenge Group Run (3-4 miles)
Tuesday – 3 miles, tennis
Wednesday – rest, mall walk with bff
Thursday – 10K race followed by a 5K race
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – last long run (8-10 miles), hair appt
Sunday – rest

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?

November 20, 2016 by Darlene

Girls on the Run 5k/ STEM Race Recap

November 20, 2016 – 9:30 am- Corning Preserve

I was running this race for many reasons:

1. GOTR is a great organization. I was a GOTR running buddy the last two springs and I was happy to support them again.

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GOTR participants in a May 2015 5k

2. The STEM runners were running their first 5k. I volunteered on Wednesday evenings to help several train for this race.

STEM participants in a previous 5k

3. Several of my running friends are also running this race. It’s nice to know people to hang out with before & after a race.

: Nov – Dash to the Finish 5k

4. I love to race. This is a flat course and one where someone could PR. I have also gotten a AG award every time I’ve run on this course. But I know that it would be selfish of me to try for this one..

5. I had to run 12 miles today in preparation for my Dec 3 Half Marathon. The Corning Bike Path is a perfect place to extend my miles from 3 to 12.

nice river views

So I arrived early to a crowd of excited runners – young and old.

I parked in the parking lot that was farther away and walked to the start.

It was cold. I had better get used to this weather because it’s only going to get worse.

I wore layers which I shed before the race. I knew that I would be cold waiting to begin but fine once I started running.

luckily the fog quickly burned off and it turned out to be a beautiful day

I immediately bumped into the STEM volunteers. There were lots of them. We anxiously waited to the STEM runners to arrive.

Every time, I turned around, I saw someone that I knew. I saw Judy, Tom, Melissa and her daughter, etc.

Judy and I planned to meet up after the race to run some more miles.

Eventually some the STEM runners did arrive. There were a few ladies from the first STEM program. They were still running and I was so happy to see them again. One runner, Kim, just ran her first half marathon and is thinking of a full marathon.

After we took some photos, it was time to line up. I was paired with a runner who really needed encouragement (her best friend relapsed last night and she was very upset about it.)

The serious runners lined up first followed by the GOTR runners, their coaches and running buddies. Then came us. Needless to say, it was very slow going for the first 1/2 mile.

But we had perfect weather. What seemed to cold at the beginning, warmed up. I was glad that I shed my jacket and wore capris instead of tights.

I chatted with my running buddy the whole time giving her encouragement and trying to boost her spirits. We ran at around an 12 1/2 min pace which was slower than she usually runs.But today was about getting her to the finish line and doing something positive for herself.

So we plodded along. As soon as I saw the finish line, I told her to take off. I wanted her to finish on her own.

And she did with tears in her eyes.

on the front & back of our Mizuno jackets and these runner really ARE!

After she got her medal, he hugged me and thanked me. She said she never could have done it without me.

This was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had running. Much better than any PR!!!

After I was done, I hung out and watched the others finish.

2 of my tennis friends also ran their first 5k

Afterwards, Judy was nice enough to keep me company as I needed to get some more miles done. We ran in the opposite direction from the race course and then turned around and followed the course again.

so excited – it looks like this trail will be joining the rail trail that is near where I live

It was a picture perfect running day. I was very happy about this since the weather for the next few days does not look good (even snow is predicted!!).

But after 7 miles, she left me to my own devices.

So I ran in the direction we first headed and then I was curious to see how far the bike path continued, so I ran into the city. I didn’t want to run too far so I turned right (instead of left to continue to the rail trail) and made a pit stop at Starbucks (of course). After a coffee and a cookie (needed fuel). I headed back on the bike path to my car.

Long Run Accomplished….

Yes, 13 (broken up) miles for the day!!

Today I am linking up with a Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup hosted by Ilka from Ilka’s Blog and Angela from Marathons & Motivation

Happy Running! Did you race or run this past weekend? Ever run a race just to help someone else?

November 18, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Holiday Foods

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.

Today’s topic is Favorite Holiday Foods.

Warning. None of these are healthy.

1. Eggnog –Preferably with rum.

2. Starbucks Snowmen Cookies

3. Squash Soup – I make it with leeks and apples. YUM!

4. Pumpkin pie

5. Sweet Potatoes – With marshmallows, of course.

So now you know why I race so much.

Happy Running? What are your favorite holiday foods?

November 17, 2016 by Darlene

The Ultimate Runner’s Acronym List

Ted Spiker recently wrote an article in RW about funny running acronyms. His instructions are to edit the answers to reflect your running life.

My answers are below. Feel free to re-post or answer in a comment.

DNS: Did Not Start—yes

Unfortunately most were injury-related and a few were weather-related.

DNF: Did Not Finish—no

I’ve always finished (even when I shouldn’t have).

even with a metatarsal stress fracture

DNRTAL: Did Not Remember To Apply Lube—no

Don’t hate me but I don’t chafe.

DFL: Dead Freaking Last—no

Not yet. Hopefully never.

FFF: Finished Freaking First—no

No way. No How. Most likely never.

BQ: Boston Qualified—no

I’ve never run a marathon and if I did, I still would not BQ.

DQ: Didn’t Quit—yes

As I said about DNF, I always finish races.

even when I broke my foot at mile 1 of a 5k.

POPOPOP: Pancake on Pancake on Pancake on Pancake—yes

Love my carbs.

LYORP: Liked Your Own Race Photo—yes

There have been quite a few that I have liked.

: Biggest Loser 5k

: Eau Palm Beach Half

WAMTD: Wore a Medal to Dinner—no

I am usually with non-runners or I don’t eat in a restaurant after a half marathon. (I would have last weekend if they gave medal for the 5k.)

BTW: Bemoaned the Weather—yes

Often. I’ve run in too many races where it has rained!

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SSP: Shared Shoe Photos—yes

shoe2

TBT: Threw-up By Track—no

No, Thank God. I did feel like it a few times including my last 5k.

PR: Personal Record—yes

They are harder to come by but I did this year in the half and last year in the 4m, 5m and 15K.

heading for a 15k PR

PB: Personal Bartie—no

But I’ve taken a pic with Frank Shorter, Joan Samuelson and Deena Kastor.

CRAP: Certifiably Ruined a Porta-Potty—no
LOL: Leaked On Leg—no
OMG: Ordered Many GUs—no

But I have bought many many GUs. I don’t order them online because I like to eat only certain flavors and a variety of them.

5 vanilla Gu & 5 chocolate Gu - my favorites

caramel machiatto & salted caramel are my faces. – my favorites

BFF: Blessed with Fast Feet—no

I wish! I have to work at it!

LMAO: Lunged My Ass Off—no

Who does lunges?? LOL.

LMFAO: Lunged My Fat Ass Off—no
BRB: Blisters Rubbed Bloody—yes

Unfortunately during a few half marathons.

WTF: Waddled Through Finish—no

I’m sure that I would if I ran 26.2 miles.

IDK: Injured Damn Knee—no

Knock on wood. My knees are fine. (Hear that you non-runners!)

EAT: Eulogized a Toenail—no

I have bruised one but so far have never lost one. I attribute it to buying large enough running shoes. (I wear a size 7 shoe and 8.5 running shoe.)

GPBAJ: Got Passed By a Joggler—no

Not sure. I did get passed by someone carrying a pizza box.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer any of the above.

November 16, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Hullabaloo

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This week’s word is: Hullabaloo

I am sure that I am the only one who remembers this TV show

The simple definition of Hullabaloo is “a very noisy and confused situation.”

For the most part, I do NOT like big, noisy, crowded races. You won’t see me at a Color Run, a Tough Mudder, a Warrior Dash, an Inflatable Race or other such races.

I’d be happier if I had a PR.

I know that they are fun but for me, if I am spending money on a race, I want to actually be able to “race.”

I have never run a Disney race or the likes of the Chicago, Boston or NYC marathons. I have run a few crowded races however 10,000 runners is probably the largest for me. In addition to all the Hullabaloo, there is so much excitement in the air and it is very addicting.

The RNR Brooklyn Half (pic on the left below) was not well organized (so not so much fun) but the Dash to the Finish was. Guess which one, I repeated?

: Dash to the Finish

My favorite races have been smaller ones (under 1500 runners). A more personal feel, easier to access, more of chance for an AG award, etc. Less Hullabaloo!!!

: previous 13.1

I recommend that everyone experience a BIG, crowded, noisy race. Then make your own decision.

Remember I suffer from FOMO so you may see me registering for a race…big or small… calm or with Hullabaloo…

Happy Running! What kind of races do you prefer? Small ones or ones with “hullabaloo”?

November 15, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Runner’s Holiday Wish List

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: Holiday Gift List:

I got this card from a fellow blogger about 7 years ago and it still applies:

Other things that you can buy me:

Socks (Balega is my preference)
Fuel (specifically Salted Caramel GU)
Gloves (I lose them so usually wear ones from the $1 store)
Tops (most of mine have race logos on them)
GARMIN (I have an Apple Watch but still wear my 205 for races and its battery life is waning)
Treadmill (just in case we have a snowy icy winter)
$$$$ so I can sign up for more races

Happy Running! What’s on your list for this year?

November 14, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I was so tired after my weekend but I dragged myself planning to go to my Troy Turkey Trot training group run after work (We are now at a new location – RPI campus). We did 8 X 1 min at race pace. It was tough but as usual, I am glad I went.

I think we only did 3 miles this week.

Tuesday – After work I voted and then played tennis and went out to dinner. I hate that it gets dark so early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday – With Barbara injured, Alyssa away and STEM cancelled, I had to run solo. It was cold and raining so I could only motivate myself to do one loop of the campus.

Thursday – A scheduled rest day so I walked at lunch and then in the mall after work with my BFF.

my first holiday cup of the season

Friday – I had the day off from work so why not a 5k. It wasn’t that cold but the nasty wind made it feel that way. Still had fun running with friends and winning my age group (a glass & $15 gift card to Fleet Feet.)

27:51 finish time with an untied shoe and wind in my face 🙂

Saturday – Another rest day and time to catch up on the household chores that got ignored last weekend. I also picked up my bib for the race the next day and spent all my race winning gift cards ($25 at LL Bean, $10 at Fleet Feet & $50 at Recovery Room restaurant.)
Sunday – My favorite 15k race – the Stockade-athon. I ran it for 5th time. Stomach issues during mile 3-4 prevented me from a PR, but still enjoyed the race. I met so many friends as well as, Ed Whitlock!!!

1:32:49 ( I plan to stick to pizza for my pre-race meal)

18 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – train to NYC, run when I get there?
Tuesday – work in NYC (rain predicted)
Wednesday – work in NYC, run before work?
Thursday – work in NYC, run during lunch?
Friday – work in NYC, train home
Saturday – 5k race with STEM + more miles
Sunday – Turkey RaffAl Run?, mah jongg anniversary dinner

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?