March 13, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Day in the Life

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 5 Things in My Day/Day in the Life

Obviously I do more than five but here are the main things I do on a typical Friday:

1. Social Networking on my iPad

I start every day with the Today show, breakfast and reading e-mail, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin on my iPad. I get up extra early to fit it in.

2. One Minute Plank

I always (almost always) do my plank on the bathroom floor when I am waiting for my shower to heat up.

2. Work

Not the highlight of my day but it is essential – it pays the bills and pays for my races. I work in a law school in IT and help staff and faculty with technology. In other words, I spend a lot of time on the computer.

Yes, I am sitting most of the day. When the weather is nice, I go for a 15 minute walk outside in the morning and often walk at lunch. In the cold weather, I SIT!!

3. Running

Usually three times a week, I run after work. If at all possible, I run outside. This has been a very snowy, icy winter so my most popular route is been around UAlbany campus. They keep the path that goes around the perimeter pretty clear.

Once the snow melts, I will return to my other running routes in town and the park.

4. Mah Jongg

Every Friday night from 7-11 pm, I play Mah Jongg with a great bunch of women. If everyone showed, we’d have 12 – 3 tables but usually we have only 8 and during the winter, sometimes it’s only 4.

a mah jongg anniversary dinner – 6 years together

We play, eat, drink and chat… so much fun and “brain” exercise, too.

4. Reading

I cannot fall asleep at night without reading. No matter how late, I go to bed, I read. Sometimes it’s just a few pages and sometimes I read for hours.

So that’s my Friday.

Happy Running! What do you do on a typical day?

Wordless Wednesday

Running down the Bump N Grind Trail in La Quinta, CA

March 10, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Weight Loss or Maintenance While Distance Running

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: Weight Loss or Maintenance While Distance Running

I signed up for 4 half marathons – one in January, one in April, one in May, and one in June. That means I am running long on the weekends from October-June.

My goal is to maintain my weight although losing 5 lbs would be nice.

Each mile you run burns, on the average, 75-125 calories. For me, I think it’s around 100 calories. So you need to eat but not overeat. Seems pretty logical.

However, I realize that everyone’s metabolism is different.

But here’s what works for me:

Eat breakfast

Yes, it’s the most important meal of the day. I never run on an empty stomach. I always have oatmeal–2 or 3 packages with almond milk.

Supplement your runs.

You need energy to run. I always eat one packet of Gu for each 4 miles of running and only drink water.

Reduce your cravings.

I am a dessert person. I crave sweets.

During the day if I need something sugary, I’ll eat a protein bar or if I want a treat, I’ll buy a latte or frappuccino at Starbucks but I’ll have it non-fat and without whipped cream.

At night, if I crave a snack while watching TV, I’ll have a cup of herbal tea. (and yes, I do cheat and have ice cream.)

Refuel after your runs.

You burn calories when you run. If you don’t eat right away, you will wind up overdoing the calories later.

After a run, I might have some fruit, a bagel or chocolate milk.

Eat healthy at meals (most of the time.)

I usually do except when I eat in a restaurant. (Everything goes out the window when I see my choices on the menu, especially the desserts.)

Healthy eating to me means dinners consisting of lean meat or fish, lots of veggies and brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

Lunch – bagel, yogurt with granola, apple, cheese (I eat at my desk between 10 am & 2 pm)

Happy Running! How do you maintain your weight when training?

March 9, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #6)

Monday – 4 5 mile run on the TM

Thank God for Downton Abbey!!

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run

one day heat wave – 20 degrees warmer than last week

Thursday – 3 2 mile run on the TM, pack

this time, it was Nashville

Friday- ~~rest, flew to Palm Springs!!!~~ (flight got cancelled) 3.5 mile run
Saturday – 5k race, visit an arts festival, rest, 3 long flights to Palm Springs, CA

after work on the bike path arouond the puddles

Sunday – great run/hike with Mary in the mountains, enjoyed the warm weather 🙂

Mary on the Bump N Grind Trail

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #7)

Monday – 4 mile run, watch qualifying matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, hang out with Mary
Tuesday – 4 mile run, watch qualifying matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, hang out with Mary
Wednesday – ~~rest, fly home to NY~~ 4 mile run, watch women’s first round at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, hang out with Mary
Thursday – rest, fly home to NY
Friday- rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 4 mile race + ? more miles
Sunday – rest

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

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

March 8, 2015 by Darlene

Good News

I have arrived in Palm Springs.

And it is sunny and warm.

view from Mary’s condo in la Quinta

Mary and I are planning to run/hike on the Bump N Grind Trail today:

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I was able to re-book my return flight to stay an extra day. I will now be able to attend the BNP Paribas Tennis Championship at Indian Wells. The first round of the women matches takes place on Wednesday and I am now leaving on Thursday.

Really, I am hopeful of catching men like Federer, Nadal, Djokovic practicing.

last year on centre court of the new Stadium #2

But my big news is:

vcm relay

AJH,who was lucky enough to get into the NYC Half Marathon lottery, also got into the Vermont City Marathon Relay and we are running it a 2-person team.

I have heard that this is an awesome race and though I was not planning on running another half marathon, I am so excited to be part of it.

Happy Running! Any good news to share?

March 7, 2015 by Darlene

Shamrock 5K Race DNS

shamrock 5k

Come join us for a wild 5K dash in beautiful Downtown Palm Springs. Chase that pot of gold to the end of the rainbow and receive a beautiful finisher medal. Registration includes a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt, festive eyeglasses, green pancakes and a free photo download! Costume contest with great prizes!

shamrock5k

Leaving the frigid NE for warm dry California weather…Running with my friend Mary again…Seeing scenery like this…

This race was just the icing on the cake.

Since it was a St. Patrick’s day race, I planned to wear as much green as I owned:

my new Runingskirts.com skirt

I got this a few years ago

these are a few years old also

with a black tank and black compression socks. Cute but not contest worthy!

Well, it never happened!!!

I got up yesterday morning at 4:30 am to find out that my first flight (to Philly) was cancelled. The weather was clear in Philly but they had had bad weather all week. So who knows why?

Needless to say, I was big time bummed!!!

The earliest that they could re-book was today and get to Palm Spring (on 3 long flights) in the evening.

Yes, miss the race!!

At least it was only a 5K and not a big race that I had been training for.

Still a bummer!

So instead I went to work EARLY and went for a run after work. Since it was earlier than usual, I went to the bike path and hoped I could find some dry spots.

not here

not here either

here’s some

Well, in two parts, I managed 3.5 miles.

Good-bye snow and ice for a while. My next running pictures should look very different.

Happy Running! Did your travel plans ever interfere with a race?

March 6, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorites

This week, the theme is Friday Favorites:

1. Favorite Race:

West Palm Half Marathon. The year is still young but so far this is my favorite…great views…flat course..perfect running weather and I got a PR and Age Group award.

race_697_photo_14838692

2. Favorite Running Apparel

Champion Jacket – I bought it at Target. It is light weight but warm enough with layers…zippered pockets…cheap. I have it in 3 colors.

polarcap15-5

Polar Cap 2014

3. Favorite Running Shoes

Mizuno Wave Rider 18s – I got them last fall to review. I loved them so much that I bought them in another color. They are supportive but light with a wide toe box.

race_697_photo_14832070

4. Favorite Food

Granola with yogurt. I eat it everyday for lunch. Preferably granola with flax seed and/or chia and Greek yogurt.

5. Favorite place to run

UAlbany campus – lately this is the only place that is clear. We’ve had a tough winter with lots of ice and snow. There is a road that goes around the perimeter of the campus that is 3 miles and it is easily to add on a mile with a variety of additional loops. It is also well-lit at night.

Happy Running! What are some of your favorites?

March 5, 2015 by Darlene

March 5 by the 5th Virtual Race

Laura at Mommy Run Fast hosts a virtual race called 5 by the 5th. The rules are that you have to run either 5 miles or a 5K by the 5th of each month starting February through May. There are prizes up for grab each month for those that participate and record their results.

I don’t do a lot of virtual races because I run so many actual races.

But this one is easy to fit in.

Well, yesterday we had a heat wave. It was 38 degrees.

I drove to UAlbany where I ran last week because I thought that the path around the campus would be clear.

It was for the most part, but in spots, it was snowy and slushy. I had to tiptoe around the slush.

And at every intersection, there were huge puddles. What a mess!!!

But it was a nice night to run and a 5k completed!

I had extra time and the arctic freeze was predicted to return today so I added an extra mile.

Happy Running! Do you do virtual races? Have you been able to run outdoors?

March 5, 2015 by Darlene

Heading West

My latest excuse for a vacation is that my running friend, Mary moved to Palm Springs, CA and last year I had such a good time visiting her that I decided to do it again. (Thanks Mary!!)

Remember Mary, my running, ice cream buddy?

So I am going to PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA again!! March 6-11! (leaving tomorrow – taking 3 flights and hoping for good connections.)

Of course, there had to be a race for us to run together.

after last year’s 10 mile race

With a big tennis tournament starting nearby, the only race I could find was a 5K.

Come join us for a wild 5K dash in beautiful Downtown Palm Springs. Chase that pot of gold to the end of the rainbow and receive a beautiful finisher medal. Registration includes a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt, festive eyeglasses, green pancakes and a free photo download! Costume contest with great prizes!

Sounds like fun, right?

The last time I ran a 5k was in December and that was at night. My last competitive 5k was back in November. Not to mention that I am going from the frigid, snowy NE to the California desert. (Shocker!!)

So my primary goal for this race is to have fun. Of course, an age group award would make it even more special.

I am really excited to see Mary again. To run with Mary! To leave the cold weather!

I’ll that it!!!

Maybe even get to go on this trail (Bump N Grind)…

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doesn’t this look like fun?

view from Mary’s patio…she lives on the 12th hole

Happy Running! Do you plan your vacations around races??

March 4, 2015 by Darlene

Fabulous Fit Gear Swap

This month I decided to participate in a #FabulousFitgear swap with Renee from Bendiful Blog.

This is how the program works: you register by the 5th of the month, Renee will send you another blogger, you check out their blog, get to know them and you send them some fabulous fit gear ($20 value) by the 15th of the month.

I love new gear and I love meeting new bloggers. A win-win.

If you would like to participate click here and it will take you to this month’s link up!

Happy Running! Have you participated in this swap?