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Weekly Run Down for 12.15.24-12.22.24: NYC and No Time to Run…

Back to NYC for work and the beginning of a Holiday Challenge.

We’ll see how this goes. I’m not good with streaks or challenges.

I’m not injured… I’m feeling just fine but can’t seem fit running into my life…

Last Week –

  • Sunday – I took an early morning train to NYC since I had to work there for the next two days. (Unfortunately I had to DNS a race this morning but at least it was a free one).

Hopefully, I run the next 3…

After I checked into my hotel, I headed out for a long run (I actually wore my running clothes on the train).

I ran around Hudson Yards then along the Hudson River, took a break at Pier 57 and then ran back to the hotel…

Then I changed my clothes and took the subway to Brooklyn.  I had signed up for a walking tour of Dyker Heights.

over 100 houses decorated and the photos don’t do them justice…

It was just as amazing as when I viewed these decorated houses 2 years ago.

On my way back, I stopped for pizza then finally took the subway back to my hotel.

  • Monday – Today I worked in the Financial District and it rained all day!!

After work, I took the subway back to my hotel, I had hoped to get in a run… Nope… RAIN…

Instead, I just changed my clothes and hopped back on the subway to meet two friends for dinner.

Recognize Cari who had just arrived back from DC? The bracelet was a gift from Elizabeth

  • Tuesday – Back to the Financial District for work…

some sights from the area in the AM and finally some blue sky at 4 pm.

and then back on the train home. Again no time for running 😦

  • Wednesday – WFH day but had to go to the office, shop and prepare something for the party the next day…

For the 4th day in a row, I couldn’t fit in a run.

  • Thursday – Today I had to teach live and then rush off after work to my annual tennis friends holiday party…

great food, music, gifts and so much laughter ❤ my tennis friends

  • Friday – WFH again… Normally this is my rest day however since I had already skipped 4 days, I planned to squeeze in a run… NOPE. Snow was my excuse this time… We even had to cancel mah jongg.

At least I was able to ZOOM with my college friends…

  • Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. 

A busy time for most of my friends.  And there was the snow… Deb, Karen and I had decided to take on the path at UAlbany and then meet the others for brunch…

NOPE!! Too snowy and slippery to even drive!!!

I guess we’ll have a white Christmas…

Mid-morning, I did drag myself out of the house to get some fresh air…

Holiday celebrations continued. Today we opened gifts with my granddaughter and then went out to dinner.

  • Sunday – This afternoon I plan to go to the movies with my BFF and then afterward go to a restaurant to celebrate her b-day.

I loved the Broadway show so I am very excited to see the movie!!

What about that long run??

Hopefully, I can get it done at UAlbany (as long as the path has been cleared.)  Maybe I’ll have company.

But brrrrr….

This Coming Week on the Run – 

  • Monday – DAY OFF, walk at the Pinebush, run, ZOOM w/a friend
  • Tuesday – run
  • Wednesday – DAY OFF – Christmas, run, dinner with the family
  • Thursday – run 
  • Friday- hair appt, mah jongg
  • Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
  • Sunday – walk/hike, run out with family

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

  • Tuesday – 2024 Goals
  • Friday –  Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter? Attending any holiday parties? Have you see the Wicked movie? What about the weather? Does it get in the way of your running? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

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FFF: 5 Fitness-Related Items I’d Like for Christmas/Hanukkah

My Christmas Wish List: Fun Christmas notebook for kids, teens, and parents. Thanksgiving gift idea. Children can write what they would like for to ...

The Topic this week is: 5 Fitness-Related Items I’d Like for Christmas/Hanukkah

1.A Gift card for a Running Store

So many things I could buy there…

 

2.Sunglasses

I always either lose them or break them.

Goodr Sunglasses - The OGs - Find Your Feet Australia

Goodrs are my favorites

3.Socks

Yes, I often lose one and only my good ones.

Image result for balega socks

4.Weights

Since I paused my gym memberships, these could come in handy.

Fitness Gear Coated Dumbbell - Single product

5.Entry Fee for Race

Happy Running!  Are any of these on your list? What else would you like? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other blogs!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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TT: 2024 in Photos

This week’s topic is: Your Year in Photos 

Definitely one of my favorites topics because I LOVE to take pictures. The challenge was limiting each month to ONE or TWO pictures.

Here you go:

January

A work visit to NYC to start off the year.

Adding a new addition to our family (aka Diamond).

February

My annual vacation to Florida’s East coast to visit friends 

Convincing a friend to join me in a 5k (after DNSing the half due to a sprained ankle)

March

Running the NYC Half Marathon with friends.

April

Experiencing the Cherry Blossoms at peak while working in NYC.

Completing one of my favorite local half marathons (after a year off).

Tulips in full bloom early in Washington Park, Albany.

May (my favorite month).

#71

Enjoying my annual tennis trip to Naples, Fla.

Finally running a dry half marathon in Brooklyn, NY.

June

Participating in the Freihofer Run for Women for the 17th time.

Visiting the NY Botanic Gardens

Adding a brother for Diamond (aka Domino)

July

Celebrating the Fourth in (running) style.

Continuing Monday hikes

and Sundays on Lake George 

August

Tiptoeing through the Sunflowers!!

Sweating at a 10k on Governor’s Island, NYC.

Visiting a college roommate on LI.

Talking my friends in joining me for a Labor Day weekend half marathon

September

Celebrating my granddaughter’s first birthday and my MIL’s 99th..

Due an abbreviated boating season, enjoying some scenic walks along the Mohawk R.

October

Returning to running/racing after a scary boating accident.

Another successful race-cation.. this year on Cape Cod.

November

Crossing the finish line of my third NYC marathon.

Coaching runners to their first 5k.

December

Traveling to FL to meet up with friends.

Seeing NYC at its finest:
Audra McDonald in Gypsy with my college roommate (who flew in from Florida for the day)
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn during a work trip

Happy Running! What was your favorite photo or event from 2024? Please share.

runner-sig

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with

and then tomorrow.

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Weekly Run Down for 12.5.24-12.15.24: New York, New York…

I met my college roommate in NYC on Wednesday (long story) to see a show and then today, I’m back there for  work.

Last Week and Vacay in Fla.-

  • Thursday- I got up early and went for a run in my friends’ (Deirdre & Kevin) neighborhood and then we all went for a hike, out to an early dinner, soaked in the hot tub and watched Hallmark movies… great start to the vacation (even if the temps were cool).

  • Friday- No run today but we hiked at a preserve, followed it up by lunch out, some time in the hot tub again and then homemade pizza for dinner and more hallmark movies. Another stellar day (even the rain stopped before our hike.)

  • Saturday – We decided not to run the Pirate 10k (too few participants). In stead I did my long run with one of Deirdre’s friends and of course, we went out to brunch after. In the afternoon, we drove to Dunedin where I met up with an old friend, visited the Fine Arts Center and the town and eventually we had a nice Italian dinner with Deirdre’s family. Vacation was progressing along smoothly. Still cool but better than NY.

  • Sunday –My last neighborhood run (I so loved running without layers of clothing). After some pool time, we spent the afternoon listening to music with some of their friends and spent our last evening together having take out and watching, you guessed it, Hallmark movies. Very sad to have the vacation end but grateful that I had this opportunity.

  • Monday –Morning flight … arrived home to rainy weather. (At least it was warmer than when I left).
  • Tuesday – WFH today to unpack, do laundry and stop by the office.

the perks of working near Starbucks…

I did sneak out in the am to get some miles done in my ‘hood.

a very dreary day that felt colder than the actual temps.

After work, I finally had time to visit with my granddaughter.

  • Wednesday – I took an early train to NYC to meet up with my college roommate who flew up from Fl. for the day. (Her return flight got cancelled so she had re-schedule and find a place to stay until the next day… )

The short version of the story is that I was scheduled to be in NYC today for work but the training got postponed until next week and we already had bought show tix.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and it rained!!

The show was fantastic… the city beautiful even in fowl weather.

  • Thursday – A WFH day and the only time I could run was after an appt after work…

Our STEM running group decided if possible to meet up at UAlbany on Thursdays.

it turned out to be just 4 mentors but it was nice to have someone to chat with while running

  • Friday – Another WFH and mah jongg in the evening…
  • Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.  The 6 mile run got done..

16 degrees when Barbara & I started but the sun was out which helped a lot

but I replaced brunch with shopping and making food for our party that evening and packing for my NYC trip the next morning.

obviously I was taking the pics…

  • Sunday – I’m heading back this morning to NYC for work.

I had signed up to run a free local race..

pic from a previous year…

but instead I plan to run once I check into to my hotel and then go to Brooklyn for a walking tour of Dyker Heights…

This Coming Week on the Run – 

  • Monday – dinner with 2 friends
  • Tuesday – train home
  • Wednesday – run
  • Thursday – run, tennis holiday party
  • Friday- college friends ZOOM, mah jongg
  • Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch), holiday dinner out with family
  • Sunday – walk/hike, birthday movie & dinner out with my BFF

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

  • Tuesday – 2024 in Photos
  • Friday –  5 Fitness-Related Items I’d like for Christmas/Chanukah

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Planning any warm weather vacations? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

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FFF: What I Learned From My 3rd NYC Marathon

It’s been long enough since the race that I can be objective…

My Topic today is: Five Things I Learned From My Third Marathon

1.You get what you put in.

In other words, if you don’t train well, the race will be harder.

For many reasons, I didn’t take this race as seriously as last year.

Mostly because even with decent training last year, the race didn’t go well.

I decided to do what I could and not re-arrange my life in order to get all the miles in.

As a result, I struggled from mile 2 to mile 26.2.

2.I can do hard things.

That being said, I was determined, no matter what, to FINISH!!

There were many times that I really wasn’t sure that I could do it.

I give credit to those spectators and volunteers who offered support the whole way.

3.It was much harder than the first one but not as hard as the second.

As they say, “anything can happen on race day.” Last year, my calf cramped and I had to walk the last 16 miles.

This year, five years older than the first one, I just felt less prepared for the distance.

So I walked a lot…

Maybe age does matter…

4. I have awesome friends.

Not only did they travel to NYC to support me.  But so many of my friends tracked me, encouraged me and posted congratulatory messages.

I am a lucky runner.

5. I do not want a redo.

Last year, I wanted to run it again to enjoy the race more and I also wanted to run it with my friends.

Now, I want to run shorter races (maybe regain some speed) and go to NYC next November and cheer on those friends.

6. I’m glad that I did it.

There would have been FOMO and many what ifs if I decided to defer until next year.

Despite all the negatives, running the NYC Marathon is an awesome experience in so many ways.  I don’t regret my decision to go and gut it out.

Happy Running! Have you learned anything from one of your big races? Please share. 

runner-sig

 

 

 

 

 

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TT: 2024 Bling

This week’s topic is: Show Us Your Year in Bling 

Even with my sprained ankle, food poisoning, and boating accident injuries, I did complete 20 races.  Many fewer than other years but I am proud of every finish line that I crossed (even the ones I walked across.)

Half Marathons:

  1. United NYC Half Marathon
  2. Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon
  3. RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
  4. Run 4 the River Half Marathon (AG award = coaster)
  5. Cape Cod Half Marathon ($75)

Marathons:

  1. TCS NYC Marathon

5Ks:

  1. Bridge the Gap 5k
  2. Hero 5k for Autism
  3. Tropicool 5k (AG award = plaque)
  4. Run for Women 5k
  5. Valley Cats Father’s Day Home Run 5k (AG award= hat)
  6. Silks & Satins 5k (AG award = medal)
  7. High Lawn Farm Keep Moo’ving 5K
  8. Barn to Bridge 5k
  9. Upstate Classic (AG award = shirt or $10 coupon for a race)

Other Distances (3.3m, 5.5k, 3.75m, 4m, 10k)

  1. Winter Series #1 (5.5k)
  2. Winter Series #4 (3.75m)
  3. Firecracker 4
  4. Bacon Hill Bonanza 10k (award= a pie)
  5. NYCRUNS Manhattan Ice Cream Social 10k (award= crystal plaque)
  6. HMRRC Anniversary Run (3.3 m)

Happy Running! What was your favorite bling from 2024? Please share.

runner-sig

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with

and tomorrow:

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Weekly Run Down for 12.1.24-12.8.24: Seeking Warmer Temps…

One of my local running friends winters in Florida.  I was lucky again this year that she invited Heidi and I to visit.

last December

Last Week –

  • Sunday – A rest day after an emotional 7 hour trip to and from Boston the day before…

I managed to get a lot of needed errands done and meet up with a friend to plan a March race-cation…

  • Monday – A WFH day so I was able to squeeze in a run at lunchtime.

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my ‘hood…

  • Tuesday – WFH but no time until after work to get a run done…

and then I looked outside and it was SNOWING!!

I waited and it seemed to stop so I headed into town (there are street lights there)..

as soon I started running, it started snowing but it didn’t last long and it was quite peaceful…

and then home to pack!!

  • Wednesday – I got up early to run (since I wasn’t sure about how much I would get to run while in FL), it was 18 degrees…. I went back to bed. LOL

After work today, Heidi and I flew to Tampa.

Deirdre and Kevin picked us up at the airport (which was about an hour from their home) and my vacation began…

  • Thursday and Friday – Check FB and IG for pix of my early Florida adventures.
  • Saturday – Maybe a Pirate Race in Holiday, Fl. There were several distances: 5k, 10k, 15k, 13.1.  The course was a 5k loop. There weren’t many total participants signed up sooo….not sure if this will happen.
  • Sunday – Last day for warm weather shenanigans – check FB and IG for pix.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

  • Monday – fly home
  • Tuesday – run
  • Wednesday – train to NYC, Broadway show, dinner, train home
  • Thursday – run
  • Friday- mah jongg
  • Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
  • Sunday – train to NYC (for work)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

  • Tuesday – 2024 Bling
  • Friday –  What I learned from my 3rd NYC Marathon

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter? Planning any warm weather vacations? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

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Ultimate Coffee Date for Dec. 2024

It’s that time of the month…

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

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m in Florida right now. My running friend Heidi and I are visiting our friends Kevin & Deirdre who winter in Florida (as we did last December.)

The temps have plummeted in the NE so I’m looking forward to some warmth and sunshine.

2. Over coffee… 

I’d tell you that our Lake George boating friends used to be obsessed with pirates and so I followed suit.

I’ve even dressed up as a Pirate for Halloween. (sorry no pics).

not me but similar to what I wore

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I may run the Pirate 5k or 10k… it’s still tentative  It’s a very small race. (It will depend if the others want to..)

If not, I’m looking to just running in warmer temps.

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that, as I mentioned in my last Runfessions, I’m DONE with those BIG expensive NYC long races.

Instead, I’d like to run some different half marathons and some shorter NYC races…

Mastercard New York Mini 10K Women's Race

if I can miraculously get in

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that speaking of NYC half marathons, I bumped in a runner at a restaurant and she mentioned that if she didn’t into into the NYC Half this year, she was planning to run this race (as it’s the same weekend.)

March 15, 2025

She didn’t get in and guess who’s also running this race??  More details to come.

Happy Running! What’s new with you?  Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and the Running Teacher!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.r

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

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TT: Giving Tuesday – Favorite Charities

Since today is Giving Tuesday, the topic for today is: What are your favorite charities?

I try to support the charities that are meaningful to my friends or that support cures for diseases that have taken the lives of family and/or friends.

Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Michael J. Fox – my friend’s husband died of Parkinson’s.
    • Team in Training – my running friend’s daughter died of blood cancer.
    • Alzheimer’s Association – a friend is currently suffering
    • Breast Cancer – too many women that I know have battled this disease.
    • STEM – an organization that supports women who have been victims of domestic violence.
    • Heart Association – this has negatively affected some friends’ husbands and family members.

Happy Running! What are your favorite charities? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs

 

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Weekly Run Down for 11.24.24-12.1.24: Turkey Trotting??

What? Two races in one week?

Well, that was the plan…

Read below to see if that happened.

Last Week –

  • Sunday – Upstate Classic 5k. I was a mentor for 9 weeks and this race was the participants of the STEM program’s first 5k.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate as it was freezing and very windy.

But everyone did great. I am so proud of them.

yup… I ran in a down jacket.

In the evening I went out to dinner to celebrate playing mah jongg for 16 years with this group of women (though the group has gotten smaller each year… 😦 )

there are now 7 in our group… at one time, we had 12!

  • Monday – Day off! I went for a run once it warmed up a little

the sun made all the difference

and then I met my SIL for lunch…

in the evening, I stopped off to see my granddaughter Nope, my stepson and granddaughter were sick 😦

  • Tuesday – A WFH day so I was able to run after work at UAlbany

my go to place for a night run…

and then met my BFF for a walk around the outdoor mall.

  • Wednesday – Another WFH day but a rest day since I had a 10k scheduled for the next day.

I got some very sad news. A good friend who had been battling cancer lost her fight today. Almost 25 years of tennis, dinners, mah jongg, Broadway shows, games and more… (You can read her obit here.)

  • Thursday – Troy Turkey Trot 10k.

This was my 9th time running it and even though I get slower each year, I still look forward to this race.

I had picked up my bib last Saturday and laid out my clothes the night before.

new bib but same outfit as last year.

I knew the weather forecast was for RAIN so I added a rain poncho and jacket…

I woke up early to hard RAIN and procrastinated about getting up… Then my friend who lives north texted me that there was zero visibility on the road and she had returned home.

That cemented my decision to stay home… so NO TURKEY TROT this year. 😦

my friends and 7k others were bada$$

In the afternoon, we headed to my MIL’s where the family gathered for take out turkey dinner… (it’s not about the food or is it? LOL)

Unfortunately, my stepson, his wife and my granddaughter were still sick and couldn’t come… so there were only 5 of us.

I confess that I ate just as much as when I did run 6.2 miles and submitted my pic from the past weekend’s 5k for our annual blogger Thanksgiving collage.

Thankful for these wonderful people that I’ve come to know virtually

  • Friday – Last WFH day this week (and since I had to work, I couldn’t go to my friend’s funeral.)

I would have tried to squeeze in a run after work but mah jongg tonight was at my house.

  • Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. Nothing to train for yet but I hoped to run at least 6 miles…

The bike path that we had planned to walk/run on was too icy so plan B was to head to UAlbany.

I ran 2 loops while my friends walked and then we had brunch

Since we weren’t able to attend our friend’s funeral, we drove to Boston to visit with her family who was sitting shiva…

7 hours in the car…

  • Sunday – Rest Day… errands, laundry, start packing

This Coming Week on the Run – 

  • Monday – run 
  • Tuesday – run
  • Wednesday – flight to Fla. after work
  • Thursday – fun in Fla with friends
  • Friday- fun in Fla with friends
  • Saturday – Pirate 5 or 10k??
  • Sunday – more fun in Fla with friends

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

  • Tuesday – Troy Turkey Trot 10k Race Recap Favorite Charities
  • Friday –  Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall/winter? Did you run on Thanksgiving? Do you bail on races if the weather is bad? Planning any warm weather vacations? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.