April 2, 2014 by Darlene

The Pre-Love Run Half Marathon Race Report

This race was planned last fall by my new runner friend, Heidi. She then invited her local friend Adrienne (whom I have met & run with). Both Heidi and Adrienne were bringing their husbands (Heidi’s hubby was even running.) It was also Heidi & Adrienne’s FIRST half marathon. (How exciting!)

Heidi, Adrienne & me back in January

Then Heidi invited 2 high school friends, Lisa & Andrea. I had met neither of them. They were experienced runners and were traveling solo. Lisa got her own room so Andrea would be my roommate.

Everyone was driving out except me & Lisa. We were flying.

On Friday, I worked a half day and then flew out to Philly.

Nothing on this trip was easy or went smoothly. My flight was supposed to leave at 5:15 pm. It was delayed then we sat on the tar mat for 2 HOURS!!

I finally arrived in the Philly airport around 8 pm. I reserved my shuttle ahead (Big Mistake!). I don’t want to go into all the details but they got mixed up on the flt time & number and after many calls of hearing “He’s on his way” and waiting 2 hours, I arrived at my hotel at 10:30 pm. LONG DAY!!

The hotel Heidi picked was the Sheraton Downtown – not the race hotel (which was more expensive.) But the accommodations were fine (clean, comfy bed unfortunately no microwave, fridge or hot tub)

I met my roommate Andrea for the first time. She was awesome. We got along great.

we had a great view from our room

This hotel was about a mile away from the start of the race which was at the art museum.

map phillyPNG

The hotel is, however, just a few blocks from the Convention Center where the expo was being held.

The next morning, Andrea (who has lots of food allergies) & I made breakfast in our room (I had tea & oatmeal made creatively with a coffee maker). Then we met Lisa and walked over to the expo. (I was also meeting Lisa for the first time…just loved her.) Adrienne and her hubby were going out to breakfast (They have young kids & were savoring every kid-free moment.) and would meet us there. Heidi & her hubby Kevin has decided at the last moment to arrive today rather than last night.

Andrea, me & Lisa entering the expo

First we got our bibs, then our shirts (tech short sleeved) and a coffee mug.

Then we met up with Adrienne and walked around the expo together.

Adrienne, Lisa, me & Andrea with our bibs

The expo was a typical expo. Lots of running stuff to buy at good prices. But I really didn’t need a thing so I didn’t buy anything (I was tempted to buy shoes, though!!) They were giving away free tech shirts from past events so I took 2 of those.

Adrienne got her hair braided…

while Lisa & Andrea got massages.

Then Lisa, Andrea & I walked across the street to have lunch at Reading Terminal Market. It was great. You could find anything you wanted to eat.

Lisa & Andrea having a healthy vegetarian lunch

I forgot to mention that it was raining. Well, pouring. So we decided to take a trolley tour around town.

So we stayed dry and it was really informative. I learned a lot about the city (I want to go back!) We had planned to get out at each stop but it was too cold and raining too hard.

We did get out at the museum to run up the steps and snap a picture of Rocky.

And also to see the Liberty Bell.

We actually spent the whole day on the trolley.

We decided to go out to dinner as a group since even Kevin & Heidi had arrived.

me, Adrienne, Lisa, Kevin, Heidi & Andrea

Of course we chose a place that served pasta and we walked there (in the rain.)

left side: Kevin, Heidi, Adrienne & Dan. Right: Andrea, me & Lisa

After a lengthy wait, we got our food and it was very good. We chatted about the upcoming race, of course, and what to wear with the weather forecast being cold and rainy.

We got back to the hotel rather late but who sleeps the night before a big race anyway? (More about the actual race in tomorrow’s post. Spoiler: got very very wet!)

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Have you ever been to or run in Philly?

April 1, 2014 by Darlene

March Update

MARCH GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES!!

Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.) YES!! Several times each week.
Finish knitting that pair of socks. YES!!

my 5th pair. What shall I do next?

Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda. YES!

lunch, a movie & ice cream

Run a 5k race under 30 minutes! Nope…

30:17 😦 but won 1st place in my AG

Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes! YES!

Runnin of the Green – finished in 38:07!!

Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my half marathon. YES!!

Complete my 8th Half Marathon. YES!!

despite the torrential rain…a 4 sec PR!

Run at least 80 miles this month. YES!! 96 miles!! (2nd highest mileage after 102 in Oct 2011)

mar 14

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.YES! YES!

ja posater

APRIL GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.)

this is not ME!

Walk at least once a day at work.

indoors until the weather improves

Use those 5 lb weights on my desk.

Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda’s 2 sons.

haven’t seen the boys since Christmas

Find a new knitting project.
Focus on speed rather than distance. (Next long race isn’t until Jun 22.)
Run a 5k race under 30 minutes!
Run a 5 mile race under 50 minutes!
Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes!
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

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

March 31, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – rest, tennis
Tuesday – 1 mile walk, 4 mile run

inside at work

outside after work – still COLD but sunny & less wind

Wednesday – 4 3.5 miles on the TM

too WINDY to run outside – The Good Wife OMG!!!

Thursday – ~~3 miles on TM~~, 1 mile walk at work, rest, hair appt.

walking with a co-worker

a good substitute for the treadmill?

Friday – 1 mile walk at work, rest, fly to Philly

RAIN!!!!!!!!!!! Indoors again!

Saturday – rest, LoveRun expo, touring around Philly in the rain

the group minus Heidi & Kevin

Sunday – Half Marathon!!!, fly home

in the cold windy rain but a 4 sec PR!!

This Week:

Monday – rest, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 miles
Thursday – 3 miles
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – 5 m race

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

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

March 30, 2014 by Darlene

Instagram Challenges

Do you take lots of photos?

Do you use Instagram?

If you answered yes, then here are 2 challenges for April that you may be interested in joining:

This looks like fun but unfortunately it doesn’t look like it will be heating up soon enough around where I live to do this challenge in April… maybe June?

This one looks more doable for me and quite motivating.

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Anyone going to join either of these challenges?

March 29, 2014 by Darlene

Pray for JA

This is John Anthony, my running buddy.

1966740_763400223672757_1406708577_n

JA was back in the hospital twice last week. (He is wearing my race shirt in this photo.)

Please pray for his health and that a they find a cure for his illness.

Other ways you can help:

Donate to his Fundraiser (any amount will help)
Buy a Bracelet (only $3)
Dedicate some of your miles to him. (Let me know & I’l tell him.)

ja posater

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Thanks for your support.

March 28, 2014 by Darlene

The Important Stuff…The Outfit

Philly Forecast

Of course, I have been obsessively checking the weather and hoping for a warm up. It has been a COLD week!!

I have run 6 out of 7 of my previous half marathons in warm weather (at least 60-70 degrees except for the Lake George Half weather debacle.)

Naples, FL

Lake George, NY

Schroon Lake, NY

(black short sleeve top, pink skirt)
Rhinebeck, NY

Santa Clarita, CA

Sarasota, FL

Albany, NY

So what to wear for this half marathon in Philly?

I bought a new pink skirt:

skirt

I have another pair of black compression socks:

socks

I would love to wear my Lululemon tank:

tank

with a pink baseball cap:

cap

and my Brooks shoes:

shoes

If only it were 60-70 degrees. It looks like it will be in the 40’s with WIND and RAIN!!. (The forecast gets worse every time I check…it started out as being sunny and in the 60s.)

mar 30

Do I need to add a jacket, gloves & tights to my outfit?? Probably YES. UGH!!!

Fingers crossed. Praying that there is NO RAIN!!!!!

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Is your running outfit important?

March 27, 2014 by Darlene

The Countdown is on…

092713-loverun1

My 8th Half Marathon is in THREE DAYS…gulp!

I shouldn’t be nervous, right?

Well, I never feel confident about my running.

Yes, I know I can and will finish. I knew after the first one that I could run 13.1 miles.

Though I started running in 2008, 2011 was the first year that I ever even considered running a Half Marathon and I did 5 that year! Yes, I got hooked.

My first was the Naples Half Marathon and my time was 2:28:27 (gun time) and I was thrilled finishing under the 2:45 cut off.

1st

My second was the Lake George Half Marathon. It was pouring freezing rain the whole race and my time was 2:22:39. I didn’t wear my Garmin and there were no clocks so I was shocked at this PR.

2nd

A strained Achilles delayed my training for #3 which was the Adirondack Half Marathon. With my longest training run being 6 miles, I finished this race by walking the second half. My time of 2:44:59 was much faster than I expected.

3rd

My 4th, the Fall Foliage Half Marathon, was just a spur of the moment long training run. It was VERY hilly and I was happy with my time of 2:32:50

My supposedly PR race was the Santa Clarita Half Marathon, my 5th. It was in California & pouring for the first 6 miles. I was very disappointed with my time of 2:30:12. I felt that I trained well but I fell apart the second half of the race 😦

5th

Unfortunately, after the 5th, I broke my ankle, then had a stress fracture so when Half Marathon #6 came 16 months later, I was just glad to finish. My time for the Sarasota Half Marathon was 2:33:59. My ankle & foot held up and I was elated.

6th

Half Marathon #7 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and get a PR. Then I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would like, again this half marathon was just “I’ll be happy to finish.” My time for the Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon was 2:24:14, actually my second fastest time.

7th

So for Half Marathon #8, I am trying not to put pressure on myself.

lr medal

My main goal for this half is to ENJOY it (It is the largest half marathon so far in 2014… my first BIG one.)

And though I would be satisfied with D, happy with C, I would be ecstatic with A.

GOAL A: under 2:22:39
GOAL B: under 2:24:14
GOAL C: under 2:30:12
GOAL D: finish smiling and uninjured

keep-calm-it-s-only-a-half-marathon-2

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do you train for them or just enjoy them?

March 26, 2014 by Darlene

PocketFuel Review and a Giveaway

I read about PocketFuel on a blog. They are GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, VEGAN, SOY-FREE, CORN-FREE and made from 100% natural, WHOLE FOOD ingredients.

I checked and they don’t sell them in my area. I hate to order things online if I am not sure if I will like them. So I emailed PocketFuel and asked them when PocketFuel would be in my area.

Guess what? They sent me a whole bunch to try.

What is PocketFuel?

PocketFuel Nut Butter blends are made from 100% natural, whole food ingredients found in nuts, seeds and fruits. Each blend is a slow burning, easy to digest fuel providing a natural & sustained energy boost to help your body to thrive and reach its maximum potential…

These blends are packed with many important B-complex group of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These vitamins functions as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism.

They are also a rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and sodium. These electrolytes are absorbed efficiently into the bloodstream, speeding fluid to your cells to refuel, rehydrate and replenish your body. Quick absorption is essential for warding off fatigue, cooling the body and achieving peak performance

The nut butter blends come in these flavors:

Crunchy Banana Blueberry
Chunky Coconut Cherry
Chocolate Espresso
Chia Goji & Honey
Pineapple Coconut
Chocolate Smackaroon
Chocolate Haze
Vanilla Haze

PocketFuel has also released another product – the Cold Brew Coffee Energy Shots. They are available in three flavors – Vanilla, Mocha and Java.

So during my 8 mile run on Sunday, I decided to try one of the Pocket Fuel nut butter blends. I chose Vanilla Haze.

Before using the fuel, you’re told to “Squish and Squeeze”, which really is a great advice – it loosens up the consistency a bit and makes it really easy to “eat” even on the go with no water around.

It tasted great. And it went down really easy. I had no problems digesting it. (This is very important with fueling during a long run or race.)

PocketFuel comes in 4 different sizes – 1.15 oz, 1.8oz, 3oz and 20oz. I brought the 1.15oz packet along for a my run – fit perfectly in the pocket of my jacket. (It would also fit in my race belt or skirt and shorts pocket.)

The 1.8, 3 and 20 oz pouches are flexible, durable and comes with a screw lid which makes it possible to reseal the pouches and save some for later. The pouches are also reusable – just wash the pouch and fill it up with more Pocket Fuel from a 20oz pouch of your favorite flavor. Pocket Fuel is obviously thinking about reducing waste with their slogan being: “Reduce – Reuse – Refuel.”

I have only used PocketFuel while out running, but I could see it used before playing tennis, going for a hike or walk and any activity where you need energy. They taste so good!! I would eat them as a snack and/or fuel for all my runs except that I don’t actually need fuel for short runs. You could combine with a banana or a bagel or add them to a protein shake.

I can’t wait to try the other flavors.

If you are interested in knowing more about PocketFuel Naturals, check them out on their website, on Facebook, Instagram or connect with them on Twitter.

If you would like to try PocketFuel, I am willing to share these two:

Enter below using Rafflecopter. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Running! Have you tried PocketFuel? What is your favorite fuel for running?

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Disclaimer: I was sent samples of PocketFuel for free, I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions in this post are mine and mine alone and they have not been controlled or influenced by PocketFuel or anyone else.

March 25, 2014 by Darlene

My 6th Blogoversary

March 25, 2014

I’ve been blogging for SIX YEARS!! That means I’ve been running for SIX 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