January 6, 2013 by Darlene

2013 So Far..So Bad

The one thing about blogging is that I can keep track of things.

So I know that since March 2008, I had a cold in Sept 2009 and in July 2011. That’t it. Until now…

I started feeling a sore throat on New Year’s Eve. Then Thursday evening, it started appearing…A COLD! It was in full force at work on Friday. No one wanted to be near me. So I skipped my run and Mah Jongg Friday eve and went to bed early. Saturday I was supposed to go to NYC with 2 friends to spend the day with a girl I met in Russia.

I woke up Saturday am feeling even worse & knew I couldn’t go (I did have to drive to the train station at 7 am cuz I had all the tix.)

Sunday was supposed to be my long run – 5 miles. My mega cold had progressed to adding a headache and nausea…Great! No running for me!!!

As I write this, I am on the road to recovery and will go to work tomorrow. Tomorrow nite, I go back to playing tennis and hopefully I can go back to running on Tuesday!!!

So this Half Marathon training thing is not off to a good start:

Week 1 – 3, 3, 5 – 11 miles
Week 2 – 3, 3, 0, 0 – 6 miles

I will try not to stress about it.

What ever happens, happens.

I had planned not to run 2 days in a row so I don’t get injured but we’ll see. I also want to increase my long runs gradually so that means 6 miles this Sat or Sun.

That’s enough of being a Debbie Downer. My injuries and illnesses are over for 2013!!!!

Happy Running! Any advice for injury-free training for a Half Marathon?

January 4, 2013 by Darlene

More Goals for 2013

Believe it or not, there is more to life than running…

My hubby & friends think that’s all I care about…and it’s not true (well, maybe kinda….)

But after a year when running just didn’t work out, you have to be prepared to be healthy & happy in other ways.

So here are my

not related to running

Eat better – that means eating 3 meals a day and not skipping meals, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating less processed food, cooking more…
Take a lunch break – that means that even if I eat at my desk, leave for one hour and read, knit, watch TV, take a walk, use stationary bike, etc.
De-clutter – that means getting rid of stuff that is useless such as books, clothes, papers…
Finish projects – that means those already begun quilts, knitted socks, use fabric & wool already bought
Economize – that means only buy what you really need, fewer trips to Starbucks, use coupons, etc.
Be more flexible with running schedules – that means not skipping a social event, mah jongg, tennis because “I have to run” or “I have a race early tomorrow”
Spend more time at home – that means inviting people over rather than going out, renting movies rather than going to them…
Do something you love each day (besides running) -that means enjoy tennis, boating, reading, mah jongg, knitting, cooking, TV, spending time with family & friends, etc. for what they offer and not be thinking about miles, paces…

Happy New Year!

Happy Running! What non-running goal(s) do you have?

January 3, 2013 by Darlene

2013 Running Goals

This may be cheating but I had some great goals for 2012 but with two injuries, I didn’t get a chance to see if I could accomplish them.

So here they are again:

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!)
PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.)
Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List)
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one)
Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
Run a race in another state
Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC)
Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Hope I have better luck this year.

However, my real 2013 goal is to be HEALTHY and HAPPY!!!

Happy Running! Do you set new running goals each year?

January 2, 2013 by Darlene

2012 Recap (in Photos)

And it wasn’t all bad…

Here it is month by month in photos. ENJOY!

JANUARY

Jimmy Buffet-themed birthday party for one of my Lake George friends

FEBRUARY

I knit my first sock

MARCH

I started biking

APRIL

I started walking at lunch

MAY

I celebrated my birthday in Florida

JUNE

I started running again

JULY

I started playing tennis again

AUGUST

I cooled off every weekend in the lake

SEPTEMBER

I had a 2nd visit from Anna from Russia

OCTOBER

I spent time with my 2 fav little guys

NOVEMBER

I had a surprise visit from a friend who moved to Florida

DECEMBER

I got to go to Orlando with friends

Happy Running! Hope you had a good year! What was the highlight?

January 1, 2013 by Darlene

2012 – Thank God It’s Over

322 miles in 2012

Broken tibia & fibula & surgery to repair in my left ankle and then a stress fracture in my right foot= NOT A GOOD RUNNING YEAR

Jan 2012

Oct 2012

I had running goals for the year and then I re-wrote them after my first injury. Then I was doing better than expected so I re-wrote them again. When I had my second injury of the year, I gave up on running goals and left them as they were at the time:

~~Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)~~ Follow doctor’s orders and stay off ankle until allowed, go to PT and do the recommended exercises, and start to run when & as often as recommended. 5 MONTHS of PT and then STARTED RUNNING in JUNE.
~~Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)~~ Same as above, start tennis & yoga when allowed, join a gym to do crosstraining/machines to stay fit. STARTED TENNIS IN AUGUST BUT DID NOT JOIN A GYM OR CROSS-TRAIN. GOT RE-INJURED BEFORE STARTING UP YOGA.
~~Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)~~ Run a 5k race before the end of the year, if I am able to run several, get faster with each one. RAN 9 5K RACES AFTER MY ANKLE INJURY (GOT FASTER) AND THEN RAN 1 AFTER MY FOOT INJURY.
~~Get an Age Group award~~ – NO
~~Run a 10K race~~ – YES.
~~Run a 10 mile race.~~ NO
~~Run at least one half marathon~~NO4. Start to train for a half marathon in 2013. DELAYED START BUT STARTED LAST WEEK.
~~Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)~~ (DID NOT RUN ANY IN JAN-MAY and NOVEMBER)
~~Run a race in another state~~YES in PA.
5. Run a NEW race. YES – RAN 8 NEW RACES!!
6. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get re-injured…) UH OH…TOTAL FAIL.
7. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) YES, YES.
8. Volunteer at a race. NO 😦
9. Bring a cell phone whenever I go running alone. YES!

10. Run a 10 K race. YES! in August.

11. Finish a 5K race under 30 minutes. YES! 1 in Sept.

12. Run 12 races. YES!

So it wasn’t the year that I had planned but I guess it could have been worse. Here are the highlights:

ran a 5K in June – earlier than expected!

met Joan Benoit Samuelson!

ran my 1st 10k

crossed under 30 minutes in a 5K (1st time since 2011)

ran a new race in a new state (& with a stress fracture)

race #12

Stay tuned for my 2013 Goals!

Happy Running! Did you have goals for 2012? If so, how did you do?

December 31, 2012 by Darlene

Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial Virtual 5K

the bib

This was organized by Beth & Ben in Tampa, Fl. For $20, you got a Bib and a Medal and you supported the school. Plus, you ran 3.1 or 13.1 miles.

I would have done it by myself but I was lucky that The Happy Runner organized it on FB so I could run with some great ladies.

However, weather conditions (icy roads) forced Felice to cancel.

At first I was relieved so not to worry about the hills & falling on the ice. But then, I was psyched to run. It’s not often that I am off on a weekday. So I decided to do it on my own (just in case when they re-schedule I am not free – I will be away Jan 5 and Jan 19-23).

oops! I left my bib at work.

I chose the same route as I ran on Saturday but it was a lot more slushy and slippery!!

I had to run in the middle of the road and then move over every day a car went by in either direction. So it was slow going but I got it done (even had negative splits).

Now I won’t feel so guilty indulging at the dinner party that we are going to tonight!

Happy Running! Did you participate in the 5K or Half?

December 29, 2012 by Darlene

Week 1 & My Anniversary

Yes, half marathon training has begun and 2 snowstorms have happened as well.

Sun – 4 miles
Tues – 3 miles
Thurs – 3 miles
Today, Sat – 5 miles

But I successfully ran every other day… 11 weeks to go!!

Last night was my annual tennis party…it was fun but I over ate again!!

several entertained us by playing the piano

one of our friends moved to Florida so we skyped with her

lots of appetizers and desserts!!

we had a Chinese gift exchange which is always fun

This morning I slept in and barely made it through my run before the snowstorm. I had planned to go the Nisky bike trail (the scene of the accident) but decided to stay local due to the impending snowfall.

I went to the same neighborhood but ran in a different direction. I didn’t wear my Yak Trax but stayed in the road looking for dry turf and watching for black ice.

And I succeeded but after 3 miles my stomach started growling. I haven’t done a long run in a year so I need to remember to drink water and bring some Gu.

4.5 miles done and off for some nourishment

I went back to my car and got some money and headed off to the coffee shop.

this did the trick!

But I left the coffee shop to this:

SNOW!!

glad I only had .5 mile to run/slide.

and today is my ONE YEAR Anniversary…a year ago today, I fell during a 10 mile run. I slipped on the ice and broke my ankle in several places & had surgery. I didn’t run for 5 months.

I wasn’t sure I would get through it but I did.

Yes many people said to give up running. I knew that I would not.

I am running again. I may never get the speed back but I am running again!!

To celebrate, I ran today and I even wore almost the same outfit.

Happy Running! Have you ever had a run-threatening injury?

December 28, 2012 by Darlene

Yak Trax To the Rescue

We got 8-10″

Our first major snowstorm arrived yesterday!! It snowed all day and I was depressed that I hadn’t run the day before.

I was supposed to go to a movie & then dinner to celebrate a friend’s birthday but she didn’t want to drive in the snow.

I had a dilemma because my treadmill at home is broken and where I work is closed and I don’t belong to a gym. I wanted to run!! My hubby said something to the effect “If you fall again, I’m going to kill you!!”

Last winter we had virtually NO SNOW!! And I couldn’t run because of my broken ankle. They say this winter will be different (My luck!)

Then I remembered that I had Yak Trax. I think I wore them once. I usually use the treadmill when the weather is bad or don’t run.

This winter I want to train for my half in March and I don’t want to over do so I have been running only every other day. Today is that day!

So I drove to where I have been running lately once the snow had stopped. I put on my Yak Trax and slowly ran 3 miles!! I loved the run! It was peaceful. I ran in the road which was mostly cleared and I didn’t slip at all! (if only my shoes were waterproof since they got wet and my toes were COLD!!)

Hooray for Yak Trax!

On another note, I went back to the park to show Richard & Matthew the lights on Wed. They weren’t as impressed as I was but loved the other activities in the boathouse.

Richard in front of a light display near the boat house

face painting (an “alien”)

free cookies from B95.5 radio station

Matthew & Elmo

Richard took his picture with every single character (I will not post them all…when he was little he used to be afraid of them)

the boys got balloon animals too

It was nice extending the holiday season. Tonight I have my annual tennis holiday party.

Saturday is my FIRST LONG RUN!! 4 miles!!

Happy Running! Did you get snow? Do you run outside when there’s snow?

December 27, 2012 by Darlene

My Life in Numbers

This has been going around the blogosphere so I thought I’d give it a try.

My Life In Numbers

59 – the number of years I’ve been on this earth

100 – number I hope to see on my birthday cake one day

1971 – the year I graduated from high school

1975– the year I graduated with a four-year degree

4 – number of years it took me to get a 4 year degree (including the year I was studying in the south of France)

3 – number of full-time jobs I’ve had since graduating from college (22, 8, 6 yrs -I don’t change jobs much)

58 – number of years I’ve lived in New York (I was born in Pittsburgh, Pa…moved to upstate NY in 1971 for college & never left)

58 – number of years I thought I’d live in New York

2 – number of states I’ve lived in (PA, NY)

2 – number of times I’ve been married

13 – number of years I’ve been married to Lou, my current hubby (14 on Jan 16)

15 – number of years Lou and I have been together

0 – number of children I have (Lou has 2)

1 – number of times I smile a day (not enough)

0 – number of dogs I have (I love dogs, though)

5 – number of cats I have

11 – number of cars I’ve owned (2 Ford Pintos, VW Rabbit, Ford Escort, 2 Honda Accords, Hionda Prelude, Honda CRV, BMW Z3, 2 BMW 3 Series)

1 – number of siblings I have (1 brother)

34 – number in years since I saw one of my siblings in person (we do not keep in touch)

3.5 – approximate number of hours to drive to my parents house (my father is deceased, I do not keep in touch with my mother)

7-8 – number of hours of sleep I get per night

2008 – Year I started running

5 – number of half marathon races I’ve run

2:30:12 – time of my most recent half

0 – number of full marathons I’ve trained for

0 – number of full marathons I’ve finished

NA– time of my most recent full marathon

10 – number of 5K’s run this year (but I was injured most of the year)

35:25 – time of most recent 5K race (recovering from a stress fracture)

311 – number of miles I have run so far in 2012 (again it was a year full of injuries)

8:XX – Fastest mile I’ve run

4 – number of running shoes I’ve bought/received in the past year (not bad considering I’ve been injured most of the year)

6 – number of other shoes I’ve bought/received this year (Yes, I am a shoe addict but I spent most of the year in a boot).

57 – number of months I’ve been blogging

6 – how many blogs have you started

Happy Running! What’s your life in numbers?

December 26, 2012 by Darlene

Christmas Day 2012

ornament from CafePress

The perfect way to celebrate Christmas is to go for a run and I did!!

I woke up to this:

Snow!! Icy roads!

dressed for the holiday & a run

But I knew I had to run so I drove into town and ran 3 miles through the streets (avoiding the icy patches.)

Then I had to squeeze everything else into the day:

exchange gifts with my hubby

He loved his remote-controlled helicopter – played with it all day

and photos from this past summer on the lake, in addition to lots of clothes and the 1st season of Boardwalk Empire

visit my mentee and her sons & give them gifts

I gave Amanda my favorite new series – Divergent & Delirium

Richard is already playing with his new Transformer laptop

Baby Matthew also got an educational toy

They also got some new clothes

I just love them!!!

visit my mil and stepsons – Lasagna for dinner, what else?
go see Les Miserables – I am not a good critique because I love everything Les Miz – I’ve seen the show 12x (brought my students to NYC every year), know every song… so I had to see the movie the day it opened. I enjoyed it, of course (My hubby – not so much). The non-singers were better than I expected. Cosette and Eponine were the best vocally and the others adequate (I’ve heard better on stage.) The stage version was more emotional but that’s maybe because I knew the story so well. I would derfintely recommend the film.