April 4, 2015 by Darlene

I am a New SkirtSports Ambassador

It’s no secret that I love running in skirts. That wasn’t always the case.

Freihofer's Run for Women 2009

When I first stared running, I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I would run in shorts.

As I ran more, I started reading, books, blogs and random FB posts all about running. I started seeing more and more women running in skirts. They all looked damn cute too!

Yes, I’ve bought skirts in Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Walmart and Target. Who doesn’t love a bargain?

Rabbit Ramble - April

But you get what you pay for. Skirts like those from SkirtSports are well made, have 2 functional pockets and are true to size.

So I decided to apply to be a SkirtSports Ambassador.

If you haven’t heard about this program, read below:

In 2013, Noelle started this program with a small social media call out, received maybe 40 applications and launched with 20 Ambassadors. In 2014 it grew adding 10 more to the family and now in 2015 the program has skyrocketed! They had over 400 applications in two days and had to close things down so we could give all the women who applied enough special attention. They expanded their original plans and are welcoming over 150 new ambassadors to their inner community!

I am so excited to be chosen as one of the 150 new ambassadors!!

In fact, I am an Ambassador Captain!

This is what ambassadors captains do:

Skirt Sports Ambassador Captains will play a leadership role in the community of Skirt and in how they share our collective voice of Real Women, Real Bodies and Real Inspiration. They are Skirt lovers, networkers, bloggers, videographers, athletes. They innately share Skirt Sports Core Values and Mission and enthusiastically represent the brand.

I only had 3 SkirtSports skirts but since I was named Ambassador I ordered more.

lr2

I haven’t worn my grey one yet but I know these skirts will look a lot better when it is warm and I can wear them without tights.

My new purchases:

can’t wait to wear this one

I got it in grey to match my grey skirt

Next year, I hope to purchase some more skirts with capris and tights attached for our long winter running season.

isn’t this cool?

I only run in skirts so there will be a lot pictures and blog entries about me in my new SkirtSports skirts.

her’s the first one!!

In addition to cute skirts, SkirtSports sponsors races.

If you are lucky enough to live close enough to do one of their actual races, I may be a little jealous. However, for those of us who can’t be there in person, we can still run together, virtually. Here is the link to the virtual races they have coming up.

If you want to buy any SkirtSports item or participate in any of the Virtual races, please use this code SSMFK20 to get 20% off the regular price.

Happy Running! Do you wear any SkirtSports products?

April 3, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Good Things

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is Good Things

Here are my 5 “Good” things:

1. My Health

Nothing is injured!!! I feel fine when I play tennis as well as run.

happy legs and happy feet

2. My Racing

Not my training but I have been racing every weekend and that’s been going well.

Runnin’ of the Green – 37:27 – 4 mile PR

Shamrock Shuffle – 46:29 – 5 mile PR

Delmar Dash – 45:46 – new 5 mile PR

This weekend I am taking a racing break so I can get one decent long run in before my half in 2 weeks.

3. Winter is over.

The sidewalks and paths are mostly clear.

Nisky Nike Path

If only, it would warm up!

4. My FRW Running Group

I have been running with them every Monday night. I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, racing and long runs have prevented me from attending any of the Saturday training runs.

11060303_573497442753146_4725648863226627838_n

5. My new GOTR running buddy.

I attended the orientation and am paired up with Rebecca, a 5th grader at an elementary school in my town. I send her weekly motivational messages as she trains for a 5K on May 10. I will run the practice 5k with her on April 30, as well as the Mother’s Day 5K on May 10.

Happy Running! What “good” things are happening in your life??

April 2, 2015 by Darlene

Lily Trotters Compression Socks Review

I saw a pair on someone’s blog and contacted Lily Trotters and they were nice enough to send me a pair to try.

As you know, I am a big fan of compression socks.

Lily Trotters are the world’s first high performance designer compression sock. Built with a revolutionary micro-nylon weave strong enough for a marathon, thin enough to rock your favorite shoes, and sassy enough to go beautifully anywhere life takes you. Made right here in the USA.

I am been anxiously waiting for it to get warm enough to wear these socks with a skirt. The winter here has been so LONG.

Well, I finally got to wear them on Monday during my group training run. It was still too cold for a skirt so I wore them with capris.

how cool that they matched my shoes

It was perfect timing since I had run 11 miles the day before and really needed them.

I think they may have gotten me through the run. Thank you Lily Trotters!!

Lily Trotters are much easier to get on than ProCompression (which I usually wear) but they still give that support that you want when wearing a compression sock.

These socks are also thin enough that you can wear them under pants when you’re not even running (which I have done in the past after a half marathon.)

They are perfect for the fashionista runner who likes to match her running outfits. You will see these on me at a race soon.

Lily Trotters are currently in development so you should sign up for their email newsletter at http://lilytrotters.com so you can get in on the lowest early-bird prices!

Happy Running! Do you wear compression socks? If so, what is your favorite brand?

_____________
*Disclaimer: I was provided a free pair of Lily Trotters to review, but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

April 1, 2015 by Darlene

March Recap

March Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.) YES!

a few on the treadmill 😦

on vacation in CA 🙂

at work

Get some strength training or yoga done. No trips to the gym but occasional planks and lifting weights.
Start running with a training group. YES! My group started on Mar. 16. I’ve run 3 Mondays with them.

Do long runs on the weekend to start to train for half marathon on April 18. Sorta. I missed 2 and ran the other 2 in 2 parts.

after a 5 mile race

6 miles after a 5 mile race

Complete a 5K race. No! My flight got cancelled so I got to Palm Springs too late.
Complete a 5 mile race. YES! Two.

and a 34 sec. PR at 46:29 & 3rd in my AG award

45:46 – another 43 sec. PR

Complete a 4 mile race. YES!

and a 13 sec. PR at 37:27

Run all my races under 10 min. mile pace. YES!

Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 9:22

Shamrock Shuffle 5m – 9:18

Delmar Dash 5m – 9:10

Volunteer at a race. YES! At the HMRRC Winter Series Marathon

3 hours in the freezing cold!!

Run at least 80 miles. YES! 82!!

mar15

However, since this is the month before my half marathon, I should have run more miles. I’ll blame the cold weather and my trip to California.

82 three months in a row – how did that happen?

So this month, I was lucky to get to spend 4 sunny warms days in California where I ran, hiked and watched tennis.

I started knitting again.

it’s a hat for my friend’s new grandson

April Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Continue running with a training group.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on April 18.
Complete a 5K race.
Complete Half Marathon #12.
Run my 5k race under 10 min. mile pace.
Win an age group award.
Run with my GOTR running buddy.
Run at least 85 miles.

Happy Running! How was your March? Anything special planned for April?

March 31, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Dream Race

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Dream Race

This is a tough one.

First the Location…

either along the ocean…

Big Sur?

or in NYC…

or in Washington, DC…

or if we go out on a limb in Paris, France

I would love to run a race in a foreign country!!!!

Dream on….

Then the weather…

I want sunshine. No rain or snow or hail or sleet.

No wind!

And not too cold but not too hot.

And no humidity.

This was perfect.

This was not.

and most importantly, feeling good.

No injuries. No cramps. No blisters. Enough water, enough fuel. A great pace and feeling like you could run forever (that’s a little exaggeration.)

Happy Running! Do you have a Dream race?

March 30, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #9)

Monday – 4 3.5 mile group run with FRW training group

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run at lunch, dinner out with tennis ladies

Thursday – ~~4 mile run~~ rest
Friday- 3 4 mile run, mah jongg

Saturday – proctor MPREs, rest, knitting group

Sunday – 5 mile race + 6 more miles

45:46 – a PR!!

6 more much slower miles with Judy

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #10)

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday- rest, Passover seder with the mah jongg ladies
Saturday – 12 mile long run – may start with FRW training group and then add some more
Sunday – rest, Easter dinner with the fam

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

March 29, 2015 by Darlene

Delmar Dash Race Recap

March 29, 2015

It is nice to run a race that is only 10 minutes from your house.

This is my 4th time doing this race and my 5th 5 miler.

2011 (I wore shorts back then apparently)

2013

2014

My Delmar Dash times:

2011 – 47:08
2013 – 47:39
2014 – 48:14

So there’s a trend to get slower on this course.

But last week, I ran 5 mile race and finished at 46:29, my new PR!!

So maybe I’ve broken the get slower trend. Now only if spring would arrive.

It’s always hard at this time of year to decide what to wear. Too cold for spring clothes but with the sun, you get warm with winter clothes.

I opted for a compromise. A few shirts with a skirt, capris under, compression socks, a hat & gloves and hoped for less wind and sunshine.

It was 18 degrees when I left but the sun was shining and there was only a slight breeze.

I got there early enough to get parking in the parking lot. I knew a few people doing this race so I went inside the school to look for them.

the race started on the street but ended in front of the school entrance

I bumped into Judy first.

Then I bumped in several SRMs. I was surprised to see Gail (on the left) since she moved to California.

Then I found Barbara whom I met on FB and ran with once.

Judy, Barbara and I hung out and chatted until the race started.

So my goal for the race was to have a decent finish time. That would be under 50 minutes and faster than my 48:14 time from last year. A PR would be gravy. I’ve been lucky this year and I know that every race can’t be a PR.

I started with Judy and Barbara and was farther back than I normally would be. But it didn’t matter since this race is chip-timed.

Of course waiting for the race to begin, I was cold but I was fine as soon as I started running. My hands were cold for awhile but even they warmed up. The sun

I tried to start out fast but not too fast. Though I never know what this is.

I caught up to Elisa and Gail who normally run faster than me. But soon I passed them.

I tired with each mile but tried my best to keep it up.

But by the water stop at mile 2.5 or so, I needed to walk.

It helped a little but I never really got a second wind. Luckily this course is fairly flat.

My calves were aching and I walked during twice more before I finally saw the finish line and crossed at 46:)2. But my chip time was 45:46!!

dd15

Another PR!!! Yay me!

I watched for Barbara who crossed several minutes after me.

Then we both waited for Judy.

I went inside to get some food with Barbara and wait for Judy who went to change her clothes and get a massage. (I had talked her into running afterward so that I wouldn’t have to run more miles alone.)

I had some soup, bread, birthday and hot chocolate waiting for the times. Then Barbara left (she ran to and from the race). Hopefully we will run together again soon.

There are a lot of fast ladies who run this race so I was doubtful of an age group award.

Nope, I was 6th.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:51
mile 2- 8:58
mile 3- 9:08 – walked
mile 4- 9:31 – walked longer
mile 5- 9:11 – last walk
mile .02 – 7:92

Though my legs were very tired, I needed to run 6 more miles…ugh!!

I was so happy that Judy was going to keep my company. My run last week was pretty lousy. I had no motivation to keep from walking and the wind gusts were insane.

I left my car in the parking lot and we headed into town in one direction and then turned around and headed in the other direction. Our route was similar to the race but less twists and turns so we wouldn’t get lost.

Slow slow slow but at least it was warmer and less windy than last Sunday. And it was so much nicer to have someone to talk to. It made the run seem less painful. Eventually we completed our 6 miles and arrived back at our cars.

happy to be done – 11 miles for the day!

To celebrate, my hubby and I went out for a late lunch at the diner. Geez, running makes me so hungry!!

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing?

March 28, 2015 by Darlene

Runfessions March

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions. This my third Runfessions post. I think will continue to do this monthly. Many of my Runfessions from last month repeated themselves… Here are this month’s Runfessions:

1. I did not go to the gym nor did I go to any yoga classes. I had good intentions. But I always seem to have something more important to do. Yeah, I know that’s not a good excuse. If I really wanted to, I could find the time.

2. Last month, I was good about not buying ice cream This month, not so much. I got addicted to this in California and it was on sale so I bought some more. I’ve also had soft ice cream. as well. Several times!!

3. I added 2 more races to my spring schedule.

May 7 – 6:30 pm

This was too tempting. I work at a law school and it is 2 days before a race so it will be a training run.

May 24

I got in the lottery so I had to do it, right? And I have been whining about not being able to do my long runs on the weekend because of too many races.

4. I bought more running clothes that I don’t need.

$9.99 at Marshalls and I can wear them for tennis

No more…my drawers are bulging!!

5. I’ve been skipping long runs. I am casual about my week day run distances but when I am training fora half marathon, I always have a schedule and try to keep to it. I increase my long runs every weekend by 1 mile until I get to 12 and then I taper to 8. It’s got me through so far and I even PRed on my 11th in January. My next one is April 18th.. week 7 – 8 miles – Nope – in California, too busy, too hot… only hiked week 8 – 9 miles – Nope – 4 mile race, too tired, rained…after ran/walked 3 more so only ran 7 week 9 – 10 miles – Sorta – 5 mile race and after ran/walked 5 more slow ones week 10 – 11 miles – Sorta – 5 mile race and after ???- hopefully 6 more

Well, that’s it for now.

Happy Running! Have any Runfessions to share?

March 27, 2015 by Darlene

My Blogoversary (2 days late)

March 25, 2015

I’ve been blogging for SEVEN YEARS!! That means I’ve been running for SEVEN Years!

Year 1 – starting to run for the first time and completing many 5ks
Year 2 – after taking the winter off, running again and completing even more 5ks (Anniversary post)
Year 3 – running through the winter, completing 5ks (and a 5k PR), 4 milers and my first Half Marathon (Anniversary post)
Year 4 – completing some 5ks, a 5 miler, my first 15k and FOUR more half marathons (plus an achilles injury and a broken ankle 😦 ) (Anniversary post)
Year 5 – recovering from a broken ankle, running my first 10k and some 5Ks, suffering a foot stress fracture, running my 6th Half Marathon
Year 6 – a few 5ks, then a broken 5th metatarsal, then more 5ks, several 10Ks, my 7th Half Marathon and a 15K
Year 7 – a very good year, NO INJURIES!!!!! so lots of races (5ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, 4 half marathons), PRs for 5k, 10k, 15k, 4m, 5m, 10m, and Half Marathon, joining 2 training groups, volunteering in another, meeting some new running buddies