This week’s Tuesday Topic:  Do you have a favorite race you run every year?  Tell us about it.  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

There are two races that I try to run every year:

• Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k.  Last week I mentioned that this year was my 14th year running this race.  This race is unofficially the beginning of racing season.  I love the distance – there aren’t that many races of that distance.  It is one big party afterwards.  I will confess that the past couple of years I haven’t participated in the afterparty.  The reason is that I am usually tired and very cold afterwards.  I do not want to stick around in the cold weather.  My PR is 48:38 from 2014.

• Elmhurst 4 on the 4th of July.  I can’t remember how I found out about this race.  Besides a different race I did in 2008, this is the only one I’ve done that is 4 miles.  My first time running this race was in 2013.  I’ve run it every year since then except for 2020 (we all know why) and 2021.  My PR is 39:39 from 2014.  July 4th is a very special day for me because it was the day I emigrated to this country with my family.  We’ve been here since 1978.  

Did you watch the Boston Marathon yesterday?  I was still at home when it started so I was able to watch the beginning.  We then left for my mom’s doctor appointment.  Then we were in the parking lot when the men finished and then on the way home when the women finished.  🙂 No matter what, I will always root for Des!

The topic for next week – What does your typical race morning looks like?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  How do you plan to celebrate/watch the Boston Marathon?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

This is one of my favorite days of the year!  I know I will never run the marathon but I would love to go to Boston to spectate.  Hmm, why haven’t I done so?  Every year I keep saying “next year”.  

In the past, I’ve watched it at home and in my classroom.  Even Lola is interested.

This year I will be off on Monday to take my mother to the nephrologist.  I made this appointment months ago so I cannot cancel it and didn’t realize when I made the appointment that it was also the day of the Boston Marathon.  I will start watching it at home and then probably won’t continue to watch it since the appointment is at 10:10am.  I remember in the past that the elite usually cross the finish line between 11:00-11:30am.

The topic for next week – Do you have a favorite race you run every year?  Tell us about it  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your tried-and-true running accessories?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

• Brooks shoes.  I love, love the Launch.  A few years ago I added back the Ghost into my rotation.  Then last year I added the Brooks Hyperion Tempo because I got them for free at a Brooks event.  The Ghost shown in the photo on the left are the most comfortable ones I’ve ever worn.

• Koala Clip.  I run with my phone but don’t like to hold it while running.

• Apple AirPods.  The sound quality is perfect and they do not slip off.  Remember when we wore earphones with a cord?  

• Garmin Forerunner.  I have used several Garmin watches and have liked them all.  Currently, I have the 265.  I love the color and I can track my walks.  Perfect for my 2,024 run/walk goal!

• Sport Suds Detergent.  I know there are a variety of detergents but this is my favorite to wash my running clothes.

The topic for next week – How do you plan to celebrate/watch the Boston Marathon?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your Spring running plans or race schedule?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Happy Tuesday!  Today is the first day of Spring.  It is my 2nd favorite season – Fall is #1.  Also, today will be a long day for me.  I have parent/teacher conferences and need to be at school at 7pm.  I have appointments with 19 set of parents and hopefully all show up.

I am excited for my upcoming races.  I am bummed I missed the NYC Half Marathon on Sunday but I know it was the best decision.

Here are my plans for this Spring.

• Run the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k (3/24).  This is one of my favorite races!  I will admit that I am not ready for it but will run it anyway.  It is only 5 miles so what can go wrong?  Did I just jinx it?  I know I will not set a PR since I plan to walk more than run it. 

• Run the CARA Lakefront 10 Miler (4/7/).  I’ve run this race in the past.  Last year it was cold, windy, and rainy and at the last minute I wanted to run the 5k, but was told I “couldn’t”.  I sucked it up and ran 10 miles.  It wasn’t too bad once I began running but I was sore afterwards.

• Run the CARA Spring Trail Chase 10K (5/19).  Last year was the first time doing it.  I enjoyed it and decided to do it again this year.  I remember a few of us got lost getting to the race site, but this year I know the same thing won’t happen again.  

• Walk more.  I need to catch up on my 2,024 goal!  I made a chart showing where I should be now and I am way behind.  The chart is based on walking/running 5.53 miles each day.

• Be consistent with running.  I’ve been slacking the past couple of months.  I need a goal and a plan.  Last year I was toying with the idea of working with a coach and didn’t move forward with it.  Maybe this year.

Next week is a FREE topic.  Feel free to write about any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!