Fit Five Friday – Page 10

Category: Fit Five Friday

07
Apr
2023

Fit Five Friday and April 2023 Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

Welcome to the April edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I have been enjoying my Spring Break. I caught up on reading blog posts and reading and commenting on comments. I also went downtown for what I thought would be a Lasik consultation, met a coworker for lunch, and met the family for lunch. I also watched TV and read my book.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am going back in May for another Lasik consultation. Since I already had Lasik years ago, I have to get a different set of tests. I have to pay for them (I have HMO so my insurance will not pay for them). I walked out annoyed on Monday because I didn’t know about it and didn’t want to pay. However, if I really want to get this procedure done, then I will just suck it up and pay.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am also off on Monday. We usually get Good Friday off and this year we are already off because of Spring Break. Our next day off won’t be until May for Memorial Day and then we are done for the school year that Friday. I am taking a few half days off for doctor appointments for me and my mom. These next few months will fly by!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that on Wednesday I signed up for 4 races! There is another one that I am interested in next month but will play it by ear. The price will increase on May 1st so I have until then to decide. These are all local races with the next one taking place on April 16th.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I had missed out on the opportunity to meet and hear Desi talk about her new book “Choosing to Run”. I have met her a few times and didn’t want to pay to see her again. Does that make me cheap and am I really missing out since I didn’t want to pay? The event was postponed to April 20th because she was stuck in NYC and couldn’t make it in time to come here.

Earlier this week I read part of her book and was HOOKED. I wanted to read more. I am waiting to get a copy from the library so I can read it. I could buy it but I really do not need another book. Soon I need to start decluttering again and do not want to bring extra stuff into the apartment.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 words to describe yourself. Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like. We hope you’ll link up with us!

31
Mar
2023

Fit Five Friday: 5 things about the Shamrock Shuffle 8k

categories: Fit Five Friday, Race Recap

We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida so be sure to link up with us. For this week’s Fit Five Friday we don’t have a topic but instead, invite you to also join in Runfessions with Marcia.

I am behind on reading and commenting on posts. I haven’t forgotten. I will be catching up in the next couple of days. For today’s post, I will write about the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. I ran this fun race on Sunday and am very happy I ran it again.

Here are some fun things about the race:

☘️ It was my 13th year running this race. My first time was in 2006. I’ve run it every year since then except for 2009, 2012, 2013, 2020 (it was canceled), and 2021. I didn’t realize I had missed it many times but remember that one year I missed it because I went to a wedding in Mexico and another time it was because it had snowed the day before and I didn’t want to run in the snow. 🤣

The photo below is from 2007.

☘️ The weather was perfect! It was in the 30s but no wind. I wore pants and a thicker wool shirt. At one point I was actually too warm. The outfit I had would have been perfect for the NYC Half Marathon.

☘️ I didn’t train for this race. It didn’t matter. I still wanted to run it because it is one of my favorite races. I had just run a half marathon the week before so what could go wrong? Absolutely nothing. I didn’t use the run/walk method but ran by feel. I felt really good and ran one mile nonstop.

My PR is 48:38 from 2014. This year I did better than expected and bettered my time from last year. All of my finish times have been less than one hour.

☘️ The finish line is the same as the Chicago Marathon. I dislike the finish line. To get there you need to run up a bridge. Why? Why? I walked a bit but tried just to keep running. I don’t think I’ve ever only run up that darn thing. I was shocked that I ran that last mile in 11:24 and it was also my fastest mile.

☘️ It is a great race to run in Chicago. Seriously, this race is so much fun and I love it! For me, it is easy to get it via public transportation and the 8k distance is just perfect. I love that packet pickup is easier to get to (at least for me).

The topic for next week: Ultimate Coffee Date with Coco and Deborah. We hope you will link up.

24
Mar
2023

Fit Five Friday: 5 things about the NYC Half Marathon

categories: Fit Five Friday, Race Recap

This week’s Fit Five Friday topic: 5 sources of mental clutter for your training. You can write about this topic or any fitness-related post. We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida so be sure to link up with us.

I am going to deviate from this week’s topic to write about the NYC Half Marathon. It was my first race of the year and my first half marathon in 3 years. I’ve entered the lottery many times but was never selected. This year was THE year to go!

Here are some fun things about the race:

🗽 It is a tough course and I didn’t train like I wanted to. I had a training plan and was determined to follow it but I missed a few runs. I paid for it. I walked a lot but at the same time did better than expected. I was surprised when I saw the finish time on my watch. It isn’t my worst time.

I used a 5:1 run/walk method. For the most part, I followed it but there were times when I walked more than run.

🗽 It was freaking cold and windy in the morning. I was in Wave 3 with an 8:20 am start time. I stayed with my nephew in Brooklyn and arrived before 7 am. I checked my bag and then went through security. From there it was a 1.5-hour wait time. I was miserable. I had a mylar blanket and waited in the sun and those two things helped. I knew I would warm up once I began running. I wore a jacket and kept it on until past mile 12 when running in Central Park.

I also wore shorts and I know that didn’t help in the morning. I had pants on but took them off when I checked my bag. I should have worn another pair to throw away once the race began.

🗽 It was my first time running in Central Park. I’ve heard so much about it and was excited to run there. I walked a few times but don’t know why I didn’t take more photos.

I remember people telling me that I was almost at the finish. I saw a sign letting me know I still had 800 meters to go. Then either another sign or someone telling me I had a quarter mile to go. I was so close to the finish line. I ran as fast as I could and saw my nephews and one of their girlfriends with about 100 meters to go.

🗽 There was amazing crowd support! I am glad I didn’t listen to music like I usually do. I soaked it all in. My favorite part was running in Times Square. The crowd and the lights were magnificent!

🗽 This race gave me a chance to visit my nephews and explore the city. The last time I was in NYC was in 2008. It was definitely time to go again. We had bagels and coffee for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, we ate Thai food, hot dogs, pizza (was not impressed with the NY style), Szechuan, and sushi. We went to the 9/11 Memorial and to see “The Book of Mormon”. Oh, and I drank a lot of beer!

Will I do it again? Maybe.

The topic for next week: Runfessions with Marcia! We hope you will link up.

10
Mar
2023

Fit Five Friday: 5 Spring cleaning tips for your fitness gear

categories: Fit Five Friday

This week’s Fit Five Friday topic: 5 spring cleaning tips for your fitness gear. You can write about this topic or any fitness-related post. We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida so be sure to link up with us.

The word “Spring” gets me all excited. While it isn’t my favorite season, I do like it more than Winter. Spring gets us closer to Summer and then Fall. Yes, Fall is my favorite.

Fitness gear isn’t cheap. Well, it depends on what you buy and whether you pay the full or the sale price. I usually do the latter unless there is something I really, really like then I will pay the full price. No matter what, we want to take care of it so that it can last a long time. Below are a couple of Spring cleaning tips I do for my gear.

🧺 Invest in a good detergent specifically for fitness gear. I have tried a few brands over the years, but my favorite is “Sport Suds”. I use it each time I wash my running gear. A little goes a long way. I have been using it for years and my clothes do not smell like they used to before. I am a heavy sweater and my clothes would stink a lot.

🧺 Check if the clothes still fit, has holes, or are too dingy. I know I just said that fitness gear could be expensive, but why still wear something that is very old with holes or doesn’t fit anymore? Invest in something new. You might get lucky and get a good price! Now will also be a good time to invest in new sports bars.

🧺 Replace your running shoes. They need to be replaced every 300–500 miles. I replace mine every 300 miles. I track the mileage using the Garmin Connect app. Once they’re no longer usable for running, I use them for work.

🧺 Clean your Garmin device. I do this more than once a year. Of course, Spring is the perfect time to do this. I hand wash the strap. I also deep clean the actual watch as if I am performing surgery. OK, not really but you get the idea. 😃

🧺 Clean your treadmill, bike, weights, and any other fitness equipment you own. Right now the only fitness equipment in the living room is the Peloton bike. Though at this moment it is collecting dust. I need to get my act together. I will, I will. I wipe off the sweat after each workout, but I need to wipe off that dust and clean it from top to bottom and from left to right.

The topic for next week: 5 fitness superstitions. We hope you will link up.

03
Mar
2023

Fit Five Friday and March 2023 Ultimate Coffee Date

categories: Fit Five Friday, Ultimate Coffee Date

Welcome to the March edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah. It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me! Let’s get started, shall we?

I am glad February is over. It did go by quickly. While it was a mild temperature-wise month for us, it is now March, and some warmer weather. But first Mother Nature decided to drop us a Winter storm that will start today in the afternoon. I am crossing my fingers and toes that the meteorologist got it all wrong and we won’t get any snow at all.

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that just like I had a good experience with Amazon last month, I also had a good experience with Running Warehouse. I ordered two shirts and they supposedly were delivered. I remember that that day someone else’s package was on the front steps and so I took it to the correct house. Nothing from Running Warehouse. I reached out to them and after a few email conversations with them and UPS, another package with the two shirts were sent to me. I am pretty sure the original package was delivered to the wrong house, but whoever received it decided to keep it.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that there are a few houses that I like but not one that I would buy right now. Last year I told my landlord that I know he wants me to move and that I am looking for a house. He told me that he understands and that there is no rush for me to leave. He also mentioned how expensive the houses cost. I was relieved. The houses on my list are ready for me to view and hopefully buy just in case he gives me a notice that I need to move. Is my plan the best plan? Probably not, but I don’t think there is another option for me. I do wish the interest rates weren’t ridiculously high.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am inspired by Erica’s run streak. She just finished 3 years and still going! I did a one-year run streak a few years ago. However, just when I “start” one, something comes up and then I don’t run that day. I guess that is the universe telling me not to do it. Right?

If we were having coffee…
Last month I received an email from Twitter telling me that I’ve been a member for 11 years. Let me tell you that I am not sure how I feel about Twitter. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don’t. Other times I wonder if I am using it correctly. A few months ago I was into it and enjoyed reading the conversations but now I am tired of it. Too many politics and many people being downright mean and rude. Who has time for that? I haven’t deactivated my account but did remove the app from my phone.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that a friend tagged me on a Facebook photo from CARA promoting one of their upcoming races to take place next month. I remember that race a few years ago. It is a nice photo (I love black and white photos) and I look happy in it. However, right away my eyes went to the stomach area and I was horrified. Ugh! I know, I know, I shouldn’t feel that way but I couldn’t help it.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 Spring cleaning tips for your fitness gear. Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like. We hope you’ll link up with us!