September 26, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Five favorite fall activities

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 My Five Favorite Fall Activities

I love fall especially living in the Northeast.

So here they are my five:

1. Running

I love running when the temps are cool and the leaves have turned colors. These are some of my favorite places to run…

the rail trail

in Washington Park

along the Schroon River

on the bike trails

along Lake George

2. Eating & drinking anything pumpkin

Yup, I love pumpkin everything…

10386289_10152510794573323_8932969421581902594_n

No, I didn’t buy them but I was tempted

3. Racing

Racing in the cooler temps is the best! Even better is a race in a scenic locale…here are just a few that I have signed up for…

Apple Run 5K

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k

Stockade-athon 15K

4. Going to farm activities

There are several around here but Ellms Family farm is my favorite. I always take my mentee and her sons. We go on rides, do corn mazes, pick pumpkins, pet the animals, eat cider donuts…so much fun!

5. Hiking

I don’t hike a lot but I do enjoy it and plan to do more this year. These are some places that I go…

Thatcher Park

Five Rivers

Prospect Mountain

Peebles State Park

I haven’t done this hike in Lake George in a few years…hope to do it again.

view from Buck Mountain

Happy Running! What are your favorite fall activities?

September 19, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: My five favorite races

This week, the theme is My Five Favorite _____________________

Of course, I filled in the blank with races….

You know that I love to race and I have run A LOT of RACES so it is hard for me to pick just FIVE.

Just to be interesting, I will pick 5 different distances.

Here they are:

1. Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2012 – in newspaper

2010 – in the newspaper

2014 – Troy Record

I love the downhill finish of this race and I also enjoy running through Washington Park in Albany, NY where I run often after work.

It is convenient since I can park at work and walk to the race to avoid the traffic and confusion. There is an expo the day before where you get free Freihofers cookies and a loaf of bread.

2. Spring Runoff (10K) – This 10K takes place in the spring and it a good way to kick start your racing season. It is run along the Hudson River and on the bike path that I go to often for my long runs.

The evening before, there is a free pasta dinner where I met two awesome ladies.

The course is fairly flat and is my currrent 10K PR.

3. Stockade-athon (15k) – This race is the oldest 15k in the country. It takes place in the fall so the foliage is pretty and you run around Central Park and through the oldest parts of the city of Schenectady, NY.

It is a popular local race for me so you run into a lot of familiar faces. The end of the race features food such as pizza, hot soup and cozy fireplaces.

4. Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler) – There aren’t many 10 mile races around and this is a great one. It has a point-to-point course that starts in the village of Lake George, NY and ends in Bolton Landing. It takes place in early summer so it is not too hot or humid yet.

The course is rolling hills but you don’t mind since you are running along Lake George the whole way.

the end of the race

This is the route that I drive each weekend to go on our boat.

Since our marina is next door to the beach, I can have friends cheering for me at the finish line.

5. Naples News Half Marathon (13.1) – This race is special because it was my first half marathon. It was also held in one my favorite vacation spots. I go there every year with my tennis friends. The race was held on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting at the finish line. Plus if you live in the NE, January in Florida is a great getaway.

The course is beautiful with many views of the Gulf.

At one point, a priest blessed runners with holy water.

I don’t plan to repeat any of my half marathon races but maybe someday I will run this one again.

Happy Running! What are your 5 favorite races? Have you run any of the above?

September 12, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Blogs to love

This week, the theme is Blogs to Love.

This is a tough one. My morning routine is to open BlogLovin’ on my iPad and to read running blogs. It is so hard to just pick FIVE but know that even if your blog is not listed here, I still enjoy catching up on your running life.

1. Shut Up and Run.

suar

Beth’s blog always makes me laugh. She is open and honest and discusses EVERYTHING related to her running. She is also an incredible athlete who completes in Ironman competitions and runs faster than women half her age. You should definitely subscribe to her blog if you don’t already.

2. My Journey to Fit.

I enjoy Shelly’s candid approach to running and staying fit. She is also a knitter so I love seeing her latest projects. I can identify as an older runner with her training and desire to have more speed.

3. Age Groups Rock.

agr

We are the same age, so I can relate to Andrea and the things that she discusses on her blog. I have also met her and have really enjoyed running several races with her. Believe it or not, at age 60, she started competing in triathlons. She is inspiring!

4. We Run Disney

Pam, who is also my age, and her daughter write this blog. Obviously they love Disney races but they also run other races. In fact, they just ran in Ireland. So I follow their racing with envy. Even though, Pam is over 60, she is still running marathons and has BQed!!

5. Ali on the Run.

aotr

Although Ali is young, she has endured incredible setbacks due to having Crohn’s disease. However, her attitude is amazing and she keeps rebounding. If I am not feeling well, I think about the pain that she has suffered through and I go out and run. I also LOVE her pictures of New York City!

Happy Running! Which blogs do you love to read?

September 5, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: race day rituals

This week, the theme is Race Day Rituals.

Here are the 5 things that I do before every race:

1. Check the weather forecast over and over.

I look at weather.com, accuweather.com and many more to try to figure out what to wear. Of course, although I can’t change the weather, I keep checking for a better forecast.

sept6a septw

2. Plan my outfit the night before.

I need to make sure I don’t forget anything. I always include my Garmin, my RoadID and my race belt.

3. Eat a Pre-Race meal.

I always eat hot oatmeal or cream of wheat. I used to drink coffee. Now I drink tea. When I’m not at home, I bring my breakfast with me.

4. Bring fuel and water to the race.

Even at short races, I eat a GU before I start. I also bring water to water before the race since sometimes it is not available. For longer races, I bring one GU for each 4 miles.

5. Bring extra clothes for before and after.

I may need a jacket and pants for before and/or after the race when it is cool out. Or I may need dry clothes if I am sweaty or rained on.

Happy Running! What are your race day rituals?

August 29, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fall Preview

This week, the theme is Fall Preview.

Here are the 5 things that I am looking forward to this fall:

1. Fall Foliage and Cooler Temps

along the Schroon River

along Lake George

The fall colors are beautiful in the Northeast. I hope to get to do some running in the Adirondacks and some on the local bike paths and trails.

Washington Park

Nisky Bike path

2. The Perfect 10 race.

on Oct 26 in NJ

10 miles is less to train for than a half marathon. It is a new race for me and supposedly flat. I am going to combine it with a visit to a former college roommate. The race is all-women and in addition to a medal, you get a hoodie. YAY!

3. Fall activities with my mentee and her sons

2013

Ellm Family Farms is one of our favorite places to go with the kids. There’s a lot of things to do there – rides, ziplines, mazes, pumpkin picking, etc. Plus they have great cider donuts.

2012

4. Stockade-athon 15K

This race is the oldest 15k in the country. I’ve done it twice before. It is challenging but lots of fun. This year they changed the course. Hope it is easier.

The new course generally follows the course layout of the previous few years in a clockwise loop versus counter clockwise as in years past. The new course, adds approximately 1.5 miles of new sections, including a short section in Riverside Park in the Historic Stockade, and two new residential loops.

I’m going to miss the big fireplace in the park to warm up. The start and finish activities will now be indoors.

5. A new 5K & 10K

It’s no secret that I love to race and I love trying new races. As the cold weather approaches, I will try to run as many as possible.

Burnt Hills Apple Run 5K on Oct 4. was recommended to me.

Great Pumpkin Challenge 5k and 10k on Oct 18. was one that I have signed up for but never run. This is the year!

Happy Running! What are you looking forward to this fall?

August 8, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Race Memories

This week, the theme is Race Memories:

I have run 124 races so that’s a lot of race memories. (And blogging helps keep them alive.)

Here are my top five (in no particular order):

1. My first Half Marathon. I didn’t tell my friends that I was running a half marathon. I had only raced 5Ks up to that point and they wouldn’t have understood. The race also took place in Naples, Fla, my favorite vacation spot (where I go annually with my tennis friends.) It took place on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting for me at the finish line. When I finished, I couldn’t believe that I had run 13.1 miles and I couldn’t wait to sign up for another.

January 2011

2. The SRM’s First 5K – Strong Running Mamas (SRM) started as a small group by The Happy Runner who wanted to encourage some friends to start running. We met once a month and ran as a group and it culminated with their first 5K. I was just as excited for them as they were.

The initial SRM group – June 5, 2010

These runners continued on to run 10ks, 15ks, half marathons and marathons. In fact, they are what motivated me to run my first half marathon. The group now has a Facebook page and has over 140 members.

more SRMs in October 2013

3. My First Race After My Ankle Surgery. I fell avoiding an ice patch in December 2011 while out running and broke my ankle in several places. I had a plate and 8 screws put in. It was a very long recovery. The doctor said that I probably would not be able to run. I didn’t for 5 months but I went to the Freihofer’s Run For Women intending to try to walk it. But when the gun went off I started running and didn’t stop until the I crossed the finish line.

I even made the first page of the local newspaper

4. My First 10 Mile and Most Scenic Race – My running buddy Mary moved away to La Quinta, CA and I really missed her so I signed up for a 10 mile race in Palm Springs and we ran it together.

January 11, 2014

The views on the course were awesome. I can’t wait to go back.

loved it here

5. My Wettest But Most Fun Half Marathon. This race was planned by a new runner friend, Heidi. She then invited her local friend Adrienne. Both Heidi and Adrienne brought their husbands (Heidi’s hubby even ran it.) It was Heidi & Adrienne’s FIRST half marathon. Heidi also invited 2 high school friends, Lisa & Andrea, who were experienced half marathoners.

Adrienne, Lisa, me & Andrea

the night before the race

We had so much fun at the expo, exploring the sites of Philly and at dinner.

the morning before the race -March 30, 2014

Unfortunately, there was a record rainfall during the whole 13.1 miles. I have never ever been so wet in my life. (Except for my 2nd half marathon in Lake George.)

don’t I look happy?

Oh and this half marathon is my PR.

Happy Running! What are some of your race memories?

July 25, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Goals

This week, the theme is Goals:

I always have lots of goals, but here are my top five for 2014:

1. Do not get injured. So far, so good.

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR. Yes!

in the freezing cold

in the spring

during my vacation

on the trail in summer

3. Finish all races (except 15ks & half marathons) at under 10 min. pace per mile. Almost all.

: 5k – 30:10

: 4 miler – 38:07

: 5 miler – 48:14

: 4 miler – 38:06

: 5k – 28:56

: 5K – 27:51

: 10k – 1:00:52

: 5K – 28:14

: 5K – 28:51

: 2014

: short 5k (2.25 m) – 20:19

4. Run at least 10 NEW races. YES! 13 already!!

Mayor’s 10 Mile Race

Betar Byway 5K

first annual Love Run

Mom’s Day 5K

Bacon Hill 5k

Spring Run Off 10K

Lighthouse 5K

Rabbit Ramble 4m

Strawberry Fest 5K

Adirondack Distance Run

Cherry Blossom 5K

5. Run a half marathon and a 10 mile race. Yes! 2 of each. The Love Run and the Saratoga Springs Half Marathons and the Mayor’s Wellness and the Adirondack Distance Run 10 milers.

Mayor’s 10 mile race

Adirondack Distance Run

Happy Running! What are some of your goals?

July 18, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorites

This week, the theme is Friday Favorites:

Here are my five of my running-related favorites:

1. Favorite Race – Freihofer’s Run for Women – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2013

2012 – in newspaper

2010 – in the newspaper

2. Favorite Apparel – My running skirts from Runningskirts.com – they are really comfortable and not too short and have a pocket on each side to hold either fuel or car key. I only wish I afford more…

3. Favorite Shoes – it used to be Brooks Adrenalines but lately I am liking my new New Balance running shoes. They have a wide toe box and are light yet offer stability.

4. Favorite Fuel – GU– it seems to agree with my stomach so I am not messing with things… especially during a race or long run.

my current favorite flavor is salted caramel

5. Favorite Place to Run – any place where there is water

…along the river

…along the lake

…along the ocean

Happy Running! What are your 5 favorites?

June 20, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Ways to Beat the Heat

This week, the theme is Five Ways to Beat the Heat.

1: Run early in the Morning

That’s a no brainer but not as easy as you think. If you work, like I do, you have to get up very early. On the plus side, you can see the sun rise.

If I lived in Florida and had this view, I would get up and run everyday. And I did when I was on vacation in Florida

my neighborhood – not so motivating

2: Run where there is shade.

Again, it is pretty obvious. I afford the track in the summer. It is too hot. Trails are my favorite. Also, parts of the bike paths are shaded.

hot..hot..hot when it is sunny

Delmar Rail Trail

Colonie Bike Path

Elm Ave Fitness Trail

Nisky bike path

3. Run near water.

Boy, do I wish I lived near the ocean. But I am lucky that I go to the lake on the weekends and can jump in when I am done running.

during my visit to Florida

Lake George

when I am done running…

4. Run indoors on a treadmill.

If you belong to a gym where it is air-conditioned, this is a good idea when it is too hot outside.

Me personally, I do not. Nor do I enjoy running on the treadmill.

watching my favorite TV shows on my iPad makes it slightly bearable

5. Wear appropriate clothing.

That means shirts (or tanks) made of breathable fabric – no cotton. I like skirts. I find them cooler than shorts. Wear a cap to keep the sun out of your face. Wear sunglasses. If possible, carry water (or plant is along your route.)

How do you stay cool in the summer?

Happy Running!

June 13, 2014 by Darlene

A Random Friday Five

This week I’m linking up with Cyn, Courtney and Mar’s Friday Five for the first time.

This one is a freebie. It’s a pick your own topic Friday.

So here we go:

1. SUMMER

I was a French teacher for 22 years. I loved my job but decided to switch to a new discipline: technology. Don’t get me wrong, I love all things techie, but it would have been so nice to be a runner when I was a teacher.

have the summer off and be able to run whenever and wherever = heaven

2. RUNNING PLAN

I am planless and it’s killing me. I always plan everything especially running. I don’t know when and what my next half marathon is. As a result, I don’t have my long runs planned.

HM #7 plan

HM #8 plan

3. DIET

Speaking of half marathons, I am still eating like I am training for one. First, my training was the excuse. Then it was my birthday celebrations followed by my trip to Florida. Now it’s summer and I love ice cream. I am lucky with the help of genetics, I am still thin but my clothes are TIGHT and I think there’s at least an extra 5 pounds there somewhere (actually I know where – my stomach, butt & hips)

my weakness

I was thinner when I started running. I had to give away those shorts in the photo below. Now I wear looser, longer running skirts. I am a faster and stronger runner (You can’t have everything…)

2009

2014

4. WEEKENDS

I work full-time and my weekends are precious. So far we have been lucky. The last few weekends, we have had gorgeous weather. It has rained everyday this week. I still managed to squeeze in 3 runs between the raindrops. But this weekend, the forecast is for sunny and dry. YAY!

In between, doing household chores, I plan to be running and boating.