September 6, 2024 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Update for September 2024

It’s that time of the month…

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

Confession: I write my blog posts way ahead… sometimes that’s a good thing. Other times I should have waited.

Today I should have waited…

Read my Weekly Run Down to get the current update.

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I had planned my last half marathon as a training run…

But I was very disappointed in how untrained I felt while running. It was not the course or the weather or an injury (although my feet did hurt).

It was all me… and so I am doubting my decision to run 26.2 miles..

smiling cuz it was over that thee was free food and beer…

2. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I think I’ve replaced my love for ice cream with Starbucks cold brew…

I’ll admit that I don’t buy it when I work from home but some weeks it’s been 4x since I either go to the office or the training lab (pass by Starbucks).

I started with Chocolate Cream Cold Brew and then moved on to White Chocolate Macadamia and now ’tis the season for Pumpkin.

I wonder what they will offer next?

3. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that last December I won a free race entry at the Hot Chocolate 15k in Tampa, Fl.

I am going back on a different weekend and there’s no other race nearby or on a convenient date.

“No live event near you? No problem! Get your chocolate fix from anywhere with the Hot Chocolate 5K, 10K, and 15K virtual run. Warm up your hot chocolate, pick your favorite running trail, and we’ll ship your runner’s kit including your exclusive Hot Chocolate Run swag (a JACKET, chocolate, hot chocolate mix), finisher’s medal, and virtual bib right to your door!”

So WTH, I’ll just run it virtually…

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that my work trip to NYC will be returning. One in Sept, two in October and one in December.

Three days have been cut out already and after January, I may no longer need to go there.

So I’m planning my running routes.

- Roosevelt Island mural display – Sept
- Hudson R. – Oct
- Central Pak – Dec.

5. Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I’m still debating about short race vs long run but after last weekend’s debacle, I think I need a confidence booster.

I will probably do the races and add on more miles before, after or the next day to make it count as a long run.

Sept 28 – 10K + 6 more = 12 miler

Oct 5 – 5k + 13 more = 18 miler (this race starts at 11 am)

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.

September 3, 2024 by Darlene

TT: How it all began…

I’ll start by saying that I’m an adult-onset athlete. That means that I did no sports whatsoever until my forties when I started playing tennis (to take my mind off of my impending divorce).

Fleet Feet in Albany, NY started a program for new runners called “No Boundaries.” Two of my tennis friends talked me into signing up.

The carrot was that we could go out for Mexican food and margaritas after our weekly sessions.

Margaritas & Quesadilla - NMRA

This started on April 1, 2008. We met with other new runners every Monday night with the goal of eventually running a 5k race in July.

In between these sessions, we were supposed to complete short runs.

pre-skirt lol

I don’t remember much about the runs other than it was not Couch to 5k… we started with 1/4 mile and little by little increased our runs until we could run 3 miles.

There were talks on form, clothing, injury prevention and other running-related topics.

Did I really dress like this?

I immediately felt empowered the first time I ran a mile and I quickly realized that I enjoyed my accomplishment in running much more than in tennis. You set your own goals and it wasn’t just the score and whether you won or lost the match. Winning in running means so many things.

I didn’t wait until our scheduled first 5k in July. I ran several before and loved the competition and meeting other runners..

with my partners in crime

I wasn’t serious at first. I didn’t run in the winter and I only ran 1 mile or so during week before my weekend 5k race.

I quickly met my goal of a sub 30 minute 5k and I was happy. Due to my advanced age, I often won an age group award.

And so I ran lots of 5k races and even mentored a group of newbie runners.

I took me until 2011 to get up enough nerve to run a half marathon.

And now I’ve run almost 70 of them including 2 full marathons.

still wearing the same hat 13 years later

Happy Running! How did your racing begin? 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

August 31, 2024 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 8.25.24-9.1.24: Race Week?

Just a 13 mile training run, right?

Run Your PR Down to Frog Alley Brewing! — Nark Running & Strength

Last Week –

Sunday – As usual, I started the day at the gym… and it was raining!

But the rain stopped and the sun came out… so up to the lake we went.

For a change of pace, I decide on a hike…

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, reading and listening to live music at the beach.

Monday – WFH today so I was able to get out for a short run before work.

explored a different neighborhood today

Tuesday – Since I wouldn’t be able to get out for a run before or after work on Wednesday, I ran again before work.

sunflowers always make a run better

After work, I met up for my weekly walk with former co-workers.

Wednesday – No WFH today…

Fall has officially begun

But the highlight was a meet-up with some of my tennis friends for dinner (I had missed July’s meet-up).

Thursday – Back to WFH so I could squeeze in a before work run…

cute mailbox (not mine)… loved the cooler temps

and I picked up my bib (and friends’ bibs) for Saturday’s race after work

the shirt was extra $$ and I opted to skip it

and then our last ARE summer trail event was scheduled…

The weather was perfect (although it rained where I live) and there was a BBQ afterwards. I’m sad to have our Thursday evening hikes end.

Friday – Just a gym morning…

sunflowers live on for a few more days…

I skipped evening mah jongg in favor of errands and getting ready for an early morning wake up the next day.

hoping that the rain doesn’t happen until I’m done

Saturday – Run 4 the River Half Marathon.

My goal was to treat it as a training run and just enjoy the race… with my friends who were running it or volunteering.

It didn’t rain as predicted and it isn’t a hard course but it just wasn’t my day! I struggled and it was painful.

I’m trying to stay positive that things will not get worse for my even longer runs.

Sunday – Back to the gym. Boating postponed until Monday (Labor Day).

Instead, a birthday party for my granddaughter who turns 1 next week.

This Coming Week on the Run –

Monday – Holiday Day Off. Run, boating (weather dependent)
Tuesday – GYM, walk w/friends (COVID & flu vaccines at lunch)
Wednesday – Run, walk with BFF
Thursday – AM Run, movie with a friend
Friday – GYM, mah jongg
Saturday – Long Run (14 mi.)
Sunday – GYM, Boating

This Coming Week on the Blog –

Tuesday – How it all began
Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Ever run a race as training for a bigger race? What are your Labor Day plans? Did you have pumpkin flavored coffee yet? 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.

August 30, 2024 by Darlene

Runfessions for August 2024

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

1.I runfess…

It is 9 weeks until the NYC Marathon and I have NOT looked at my training plan yet.

I’ve been doing 2-3 3 mile runs during the week and a long run on most weekends in preparation for tomorrow’s half marathon.

: 11 mi

: 12 mi

: 10 mi

Have I gotten complacent about the distance since it will be my 3rd time running this race?

I definitely plan to get in the long runs but it is doubtful that my weekday runs will be any longer than 3 miles.

2. I runfess…

I am a big fan of racing in NYC and as you know, I love ice cream.

So I eagerly signed up for a 10k race on Aug 3 on Governor’s Island.

The problem is that it seems that as I get older, my tolerance for hot weather has decreased.

A 10k in August= a likelihood of HOT weather.

And so I suffered through it.

After the race, I checked the results and saw that I was the OLDEST women in the race.

Obviously the other older runners were smarter than I.

Never again!!

3. I runfess…

I previously mentioned that I had registered for a December 10K.

It was to be a race-cation in Florida with some friends. Airline tickets were bought. Days off from work approved.

I was Very Disappointed!!!!!! Still waiting to hear about a refund.

Well…my friend knows me well and she found a race that weekend:

Pirate 1M, 5K, 10K, 15K, and Half Marathon at Anclote Gulf Park, Holiday, FL (12-7-2024)

1M, 5k, 10k, 15k and 13.1 in Holiday, FL.

4. I runfess…

When I was looking through my blog, I discovered that in 2023, I bought 4 pairs of running shoes but only 2 this year.

Obviously I needed to buy more (especially since my bib from the Firecracker 4 race gave me 15% off at Fleet Feet.)

No luck finding any Topos at Fleet Feet.

But while listening to Another Mother Runner‘s podcast, she offered a 15% off code for Topos!

Bingo.

Phantom3 (purple!!)

Specter2

5. I runfess…

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been lacking mojo for my marathon training runs.

It doesn’t help that my favorite races are in the Fall on key long run weekends.

Sept 28 – 10K or 12 miler?

Oct 5 – 5k or 18 miler?

I haven’t signed up yet but….

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? 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 blogs!!

August 27, 2024 by Darlene

TT: New York City Marathon Take 3

Today is a Free Topic.

When you are training for a marathon, is there anything else to talk about?

When I ran the NYC Marathon in 2019, it was my first marathon.

I said I was ONE and DONE!!

And I meant it (at the time…)

I mean (besides the training miles and the last 6 miles of the race), I really enjoyed the experience. And it was practically perfect.

I loosely followed a training plan but got those long runs done.
I got support on those runs from my running friends.
Due to my job, I had free hotel rooms for race weekend.
I shared the NYC marathon experience with friends (Lacey, my roommate and Cari, fellow blogger.)
My tennis friends came down and cheered me on (at mile 18).
The weather was PERFECT!!
I met my finish time goal (in daylight and under 5:30).
I felt fine after the race (zero pain.)

I explained my reasons for repeating this experience in 2023: https://wp.me/pel7R-i3n and https://wp.me/pel7R-i3Y

Did the race turn out differently the second time around?

You bet!

I went into the race knowing the challenges:

I was four years older.
I hadn’t completed as many long races as I used to due to breaking my foot in February.
Most of my local running friends were not running the race until 2024.
My poor feet!! Since then, I had painful bunion, neuroma and hammertoe issues.

And the advantages:

I had qualified already for 2024 so I could do it again and make amends.
I was much more relaxed regarding the logistics of the race.
I was mostly working from home so better able to fit in my weekday runs.
I had been doing strength training several times a week thanks to my gym membership.
I followed the Higdon Novice 1 Plan almost to a T.
I was more confident in my ability to finish 26.2 miles.

thumbs up!

So what happened?

Calf cramps had me walking the last 16 miles!!!

IOW, anything can happen on race day… no matter how prepared you feel.

So how is the third time different?

My training is much more relaxed… (I am only focusing on getting those 14, 16, 18 & 20 milers completed)

I have zero expectations on a good finish time.
I am training and running it with friends.

We’re staying near the ferry (so a later wake up time and less wait time).
Although yes, I already qualified for 2025, I only plan to go and support friends. I will not run it. So this one needs to be FUN!!

cheers to NYCM 2024!

Happy Running! Have you run the same full or half marathon more than once? If so, was there anything you did differently? Please share.

runner-sig

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

August 24, 2024 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 8.18.24-8.25.24:Tapering or Training?

Some days I feel like neither.

10 weeks to go!!

New York City Marathon png images | PNGWing

ONE week to go!

Run Your PR Down to Frog Alley Brewing! — Nark Running & Strength

13 miles was on my marathon training plan so I figured a race would be a good idea (spectators, water stops, etc.)

My long runs have felt torturous so I am not optimistic about it.

Last Week –

Sunday – I started the day out at the gym and then

no boating today!!

The rain did stop but it was just too wet and nasty.

Instead I was able to attend a consignment shop party hosted by a friend.

I didn’t spent too much money but I was tempted.

Diamond liked this plate (it has a picture of a tuxedo cat on it.

Monday – DAY OFF!!

I got a late start but I did go for a run on the upper end of the rail trail

My hiking buddy was busy so I hit the trail solo.

water was flowing at Thacher Park due to the recent rains…

I managed to get home before the thunderstorms hit.

Tuesday – Back to WFH so I was able to get to the gym first thing.

After work, I first went for a walk with two former co-workers.

Then I met my BFF for a second walk.

7 miles for the day!

Wednesday – Nice cool down in the temps for this early morning run.

felt fall-like except for all the flowers

Finally I had time to spend with my granddaughter after work.

her latest photo – she turns one soon

Thursday – I planned on running before work but I just couldn’t get going. Instead I waited until lunchtime since I was WFH and those fall like temps had already slipped away.

And after work our weekly trail evening was scheduled… and it didn’t rain on us!!

perfect weather, scenery and dinner on the lake after!

Friday – Back to the gym before work and mah jongg in the evening.

Saturday – Long Run Day (and Brunch).

10 miles on my schedule… (a cut back/taper week).

I ran the first 2 miles with Barb and then the rest on my own… (everyone else was doing a different distance and/or pace)

yes, that’s 24 yr old parrot and we lucked out with perfect temps for a run …finally

I had to rush through bunch since I had a re-scheduled hair appt.

Since the sunflower fields were closing this weekend, I had to stop by and tame one last look.

Sunday – Back to the gym and up to the lake!! Weather dependent.

This Coming Week on the Run –

Monday – Run
Tuesday – Run, walk w/friends
Wednesday – dinner with tennis friends
Thursday – Run, ARE trail night (last one)
Friday – GYM, maj jongg
Saturday – Run 4 the River Half Marathon
Sunday – GYM, Granddaughter’s birthday Party

This Coming Week on the Blog –

Tuesday – NYC Marathon Take 3
Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall? Ever run a race as training for a bigger race? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

August 23, 2024 by Darlene

FFF: Bucket List Races

A Girl Can Dream, right?

Here are 5 that I’d love to run someday:

1.Beach to Beacon 10k (in ME)

TD Beach to Beacon 10k - The Maine Sports Commission

2.BolderBoulder 10k (in CO)

BOLDER Boulder 10K Race | Behind the Scenes footage

3.Detroit Free Press Half Marathon (in MI)

Fundraiser by Sam Menzin : Marathon for Matt

4. Cherry Blossom 10M (in DC)

Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run - Wikipedia

5. NYC Mini 10k (in NYC)

Mastercard New York Mini 10K® - Women's Race

Here are 5 that were on my list when I first started running?

1.Freihofer Run for Women

2. Troy Turkey Trot 10k

3. Naples Half Marathon

4.A Race in Paris

5. RnR Las Vegas Half Marathon

Happy Running! Which races are still on your bucket list? Which have you already run? 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 blogs!!

Join the link party:

August 20, 2024 by Darlene

TT: Cross Training

What is cross-training?

Cross-training is defined as an exercise protocol that utilizes several modes of training that are outside the athlete’s main sport to develop a specific component of fitness.

What are the benefits of cross-training?

May boost cardiovascular endurance
Trains muscle groups not used in the main sport
Allows recovery from main sport
Keeps you mentally engaged
May reduce risk of injury

What are the best cross-training exercises for runners?

Cycling or spinning: a low impact option that closely mimics the cardio requirements of running
Rowing: a low impact option that works muscles of the upper body not typically used during running
Swimming: provides a low impact alternative that allows recovery from running while helping increase aerobic capacity
Weight training: strengthens the muscles of the body to complement endurance training and improve performance
Yoga: excellent for recovery, as various yoga poses increase flexibility and may help prevent injury
Pilates: an effective way to both strengthen and lengthen tight muscles while increasing core strength
Skiing (downhill or cross-country): cross-country skiing best mimics the cardio requirements of running; downhill skiing can also be a fitting for runners