July 16, 2013 by Darlene

Two on Tuesday

Yesterday, I took an unplanned off-track walk. I planned to walk on the track but a field day was going on so I walked into town. It was very hot and it was also uphill on the way back (so I stopped at Starbucks as a reward).

I survived and it was a nice change from the monotonous track (hopefully my foot is no worse for wear.)

the lake in Washington Park

sunflowers, my second favorite after tulips

green tea frappuccino (minus the whipped cream)- getting addicted to these

2. I also saw a great movie last night: 20 Feet from Stardom –

In his compelling new film, director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.

Go see this movie if it’s playing in your area!! You’ll listen to songs differently.

Tonight I plan to take my first bike ride (since my last injury.) Yes, I only ride when I can’t run. I don’t hate to ride…it’s just a distant 4th after running, tennis, yoga…and there’s no time for everything.

Happy Running! Have you seen any good movies lately?

July 15, 2013 by Darlene

The Last Non-Running Weekend on the Lake?

Running soon??

Maybe?

Anyway, this past weekend was a HOT one. No better place to be but on the lake.

Blogging has introduced me to some remarkable people. One, for example, is Christa from Livin’ a Little Life. (Check out her blog if you haven’t.) She and her family camp frequently on Lake George so since I knew where she was this weekend, me & the hubby stopped to say hello on Saturday.

me & Christa

Then we spent the rest of the day on floats in the water.

some of our marina friends

me & my hubby

For dinner, we went to the same lakeside restaurant as last weekend.

Blue Water Manor

When we got back, I went for a SLOW walk to the Sagamore. It’s not far but my fitness has escaped me in the past 6 weeks. I barely made it there and back and was really tired afterwards.

We spent the rest of the evening in our air-conditioned marina watching a movie with the crew – Admissions with Tina Fey – quite entertaining!

Sunday morning would normally be this:

last summer running on 9N in Bolton Landing

But instead, I went on a friend’s boat as spotter for his daughter who wanted to go tubing.

It was another HOT humid day and we spent it the same way as Saturday – floating around in the water…eating…drinking…listening to music and goofing around.

yes, our friend’s husband caught a large SNAPPING turtle

For dinner, instead of spending a lot of money for dinner with a view, we docked at an island and cooked hot dogs.

still a nice view but a lot cheaper

Sadly, my hubby & I had to put the boat away and head home. Of course, I stopped for one last treat – ice cream at Stewart’s. (new flavor: NoRegretzel – I recommend it!!)

So will I be running soon????

taken during a run last summer…

Happy Running! How is your running going? Hope you are surviving the heat!

July 13, 2013 by Darlene

Week 6 – Making the Best of a Broken Foot

hot weather

The rainy, stormy, hot, humid weather has continued. No complaints here. (It’s cool in my air-conditioned office & house.)

I still go to the library and read real books

More reading – finished Revenge Wears Prada, Daddy’s Gone A Hunting (Mary Higgins Clark). Started Lone Wolf (Picoult)
Watched another episode of Call The Midwife while on the stationary bike at work

Wore sandals to work (have sneakers there, just in case)

need a pedicure. don’t think it’s a good idea with a broken foot…

Went to see a NY Sportimes’ WTT match – Andy Roddick was one of the players on the other team and our team won 22-21

believe it or not, he lost at singles

Walked 1 mile on Wed, 1.5 miles on Thurs and 2 miles on Friday on a track (There is brand new one at work.)

it was very tempting to “run” but I did not and will not until the broken bone has healed

Found a new tech tool – DragOnTape – you can make playlists of youtube videos:

Running Video Mix (Copy)

Another Running Video Mix

Heading back to the lake today.

It is supposed to be warm & sunny.

X-rays again next Wednesday!

Please, let my broken bone be healed!

Happy Running! How is your summer going? Hope you are having fun ( and running)!

July 12, 2013 by Darlene

My Next Half?

Well, this would work.

Oct 13, 2013

I registered for this half marathon even before I ran the Sarasota Half in March…even before I knew than I could ever run 13.1 miles again. (It always sells out right away.)

The race is local. Last year I watched with a stress fracture and vowed to run it this year.

The course is also where I do my long runs.

starts at the Colonie Town Park and ends at the Corning Bike Path.

I will know so many runners at the race.

This is the shirt we are planning to all wear.

After I finished the Sarasota Half, I decided that I wanted to do better.

So happy to have finished!!

Well, guess what? Another injury and it would be dumb to do this race. Right?

I usually train for a half for 12 weeks. That means running 3 miles comfortably by July 22 to start the PLAN.

It is July 12 and I still have a broken foot. So I obviously cannot do that.

I want to run it well. I do not want to get injured.

So…… I should not run it this year.

Or maybe I’ll walk it??

Decisions…Decisions!

Time will tell…. (If you know me at all, you know that if there is any way I can do this race, I will….)

Happy Running? Ever have the “Should I do it dilemma”?

July 11, 2013 by Darlene

Baby Steps

I walked one mile (on a track.)

I was going to walk on the treadmill but it is so hot and stuffy. We have a brand new track nearby and though I have never run on it, I have always wanted to see how it felt.

It was pain-free but then again, my foot does not hurt.

Is my broken foot healed??

Who knows.

While I was walking, someone was running….boy, did I want to.

I didn’t run. I wanted to.

I stopped at one mile not because I wanted to but because it started to rain.

Thanks rain. You saved me from myself.

Who knows, maybe soon I’ll attempt a 5K walk.

Happy Running! Anyone run on a track?

July 10, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday for the Older Runner

Saw this on FB and it made me smile.

Happy Running! Have a great “Hump Day.”

July 9, 2013 by Darlene

DNSing

Normally I have all my summer weekends booked with 5Ks. In my healthy days, I did one every Saturday and then drove up to Lake George afterwards.

at the Silks & Satins, one of my favorite 5ks

This summer I did not book any. I was planning to do long runs and a lot of boating on the weekends.

running on the Sagamore bridge over Lake George

So I only have THREE DNSes.

June 23: Adirondack Distance Challenge 10 miler

This is the end before you turn into the park (next to my marina.)

At least I was able to pick up my race shirt.

July 28: Biggest Loser 15K in Killington, VT

The 15k course travels through the heart of the Green Mountains and ends with an exciting ride on the chairlift to the finish line. Enjoy breathtaking views of Killington Peak and the surrounding area while winding through wooded roads and Killington’s downtown with a long time limit allowing runners and walkers to complete the race at their own pace. (So this is 8 weeks post-injury. It is a long drive & my doc would probably kill me if I tried to walk 9.3 miles while recovering from a broken foot??)

Oct 13: Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon (I can defer my registration on this one to next year…)

I am very sad about this. These are 3 races that I was really looking forward to.

Happy Running! Any advice?

July 8, 2013 by Darlene

Broken Foot – Weeks 4 & 5

Many people are blaming me for the weather. It has rained almost every day +since I broke my foot. (Sorry no sympathy here).

So what’s new in my exciting life?

a girls learns some secrets while her sister, a famous runner, lies in a coma

Finished reading The Kitchen House, While My Sister Sleeps, Firefly Lane. (Does reading sad books make you feel better when you are depressed??) Started The Paris Wife & Revenge Wears Prada.
Finished watching PBS’ Call the Mid-Wife season 1 and started season 2. (not as great as Downton Abbey but the characters do grow on you)
Actually watched a live TV show (that never happens thanks to DVR and ipad apps) – America’s Got Talent – highlight: an amazing singing trio who met online and performed for the 1st time on the show – Anyone see it?
Found out that my foot is not completely healed but got permission to wear real shoes, use a stationary bike and treadmill.
Won a $50 gift certificate at work (to a local restaurant)
Went out to dinner at a new neighborhood buffet and there was a power failure (don’t really like buffets…you eat too much because you feel that you have to get your money’s worth)
Started knitting again – Socks – what else?
Used the stationary bike TWICE at work and I sweat (yes and that is huge.)
Walked to Starbucks during a work break (yes, walked all the way across the street)

green tea frappuccino – yum! – I got a skinny one

Spent 4 days on Lake George — picnicked with friends on the 4th

watched the fireworks from our boat at the marina

the weather was HOT and steamy with a shower & rainbow almost everyday

Rode on ours friends’ pontoon

cooled off in the several bays (even figured out how to get up the boat ladder with one foot)

slept on our boat and saw some awesome sunrises

ended the weekend with some lakeside dining

Happy Running! Did you do anything fun this past weekend? Like run?

July 7, 2013 by Darlene

Early X-Rays

At my last visit to the ortho, I was told to come back for x-rays in FOUR weeks.

That’s 8 weeks and 2 days after my injury…

I was depressed because my foot felt fine. I had been walking on it without pain… in regular shoes…without the use of crutches.

I have used the stationary bike at work.

I have even walked on the treadmill.

I was hoping for a green light at 6 weeks at the latest.

It is only two weeks later but when you want you want to run a half marathon Oct 13, every day counts.

My hubby and my non-running friends think I am neurotic!! They say: “Just relax and let it heal. What’s the rush?”

However, I could only get an appointment with my doctor (who was either busy or on vacation) for July 17 or Aug 19.

July 17 is only 2 weeks later not 4 but AUGUST 19 seems light years away.

The decision was difficult.

I didn’t want to get the x-rays early and not be healed yet but then again I didn’t want to wait til August 19. If I was healed before that, I wouldn’t know it and I don’t want to run until I get the go ahead. (You may be thinking, when has that stopped her?)

You have to remember the lack of pain factor. So it’s hard for me to know when I can run.

So I am getting my x-rays early.

If I am not healed, well, then nothing is lost. I’ll come back on Aug 19 for x-rays #6. (But if I have to wait…I don’t guarantee that I won’t be running…)

Happy Running! Are you more patient than I am with an injury?

July 3, 2013 by Darlene

Wordy Wednesday – Happiness

Yeah, I have been depressed about not being able to run, walk, play tennis, bike, do yoga and go boating.

I am trying not to complain at all (or maybe “not so much”)

This was a comment on one of my whiney FB posts:

Darlene I am so sorry you are still enduring all of this. I hope it is not too painful and you’re up and at ’em soon… makes me sad that you are tied down like this ~ I know how much you love to move!!!

This is from a former co-worker who has Cystic Fibrosis. She is in and out of the hospital. Tied to an IV most of the time. Can hardly ever leave the house. Needs a lung transplant if she wants to live much longer. But she always has a smile on her face and enjoys every day that she is still alive.

So I am thankful that: