**Most Fun Race — Mother’s Day Race

This race is close to home and always on or around my birthday. It’s all women and I always run it with friends.  They also give out awesome pre-race swag – hat, tote bag, lunch bag, back pack, etc. One year, we even got a red rose.

**Most Difficult Race — Fall Foliage Half Marathon

I ran this race last October on a whim.  I wanted to use it as a training run for my half in November.  It was the first annual so there were no reviews.  And it was so HILLY!!! I mean steep hills.  I was not prepared and I could barely walk for several days after.

**Most Scenic Race — Naples News Half Marathon

Palm trees, Gulf of Mexico, beaches, yachts, mansions…what can I say?  It was awesome! 

**Most Boring Race — HMRRC Winter Series #1 (3m)

This series occurs several times during the winter and there are different distances to choose from each time. You run around the State Office campus and the longer the distance the more times you loop.  Concrete…concrete!  The most boring course ever but it is FREE!

**Best Post Race Party — Adirondack Half Marathon

There was entertainment, lots of food (even ice cream) and best of all, Schroon Lake to soak your aching feet with (with friends.)

**Most “Nostalgic” Race — Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k

I never thought I would run this race.  I was always envious of women that could.  After I joined the No Boundaries program, my friends and I decided to do it (even though we had never run 3 miles).  I have done it every year since. 

**Best “Feeling of Accomplishment” Race — Naples News Half Marathon

After running 5ks for 3 years, I never thought I could run 13.1 miles!!  Even as I was standing  at the starting line with tears in my eyes, I was doubtful.  Then at Mile 10, I called my hubby and said “I feel good!”  I knew I would finish… the best feeling EVER!

So that’s it.

I hope to add even MORE races to my list … hopefully.

Happy Running!  Feel free to make a similar list and share on your blog.

• Post these rules;
• You must post 11 random things about yourself;
• Answer the questions set for you in their post;
• Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer;
• Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them;
• No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

Since I am NOT running, I am going to post 11 things about NOT running.

1. I am working from home now so I don’t have to get out of my pjs or shower (unless I want to).
2. I just learned to knit. I have made 2 hats and now I’m making a scarf. I even plan to make socks.
3. I can’t wait to return to yoga.  The balance on my right foot is getting to be awesome.
4. I really don’t watch much TV… the only shows I follow are The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Though my hubby kinda got me to watch 30 Rock.
5. When I could cook, I didn’t.  Now that I can’t, I want to.  My friends have been bringing over dinner for my hubby so he is eating better than before I was injured.
6. I may not be exercising my body but I am exercising my mind.  345 is so far my high for Scrabble vs the computer.  I won $3 at mah jongg last week
7. I made 2 digital photo books of memories from tennis and from running (Just in case.)
8. I am trying to eat healthy…salads, vegetables, fruit, etc.  I am even taking vitamins. (I still sneak in a dessert or two and ice cream if it’s available.)
9. I love to read but I’m not reading as much as I thought I would.
10. My hubby loves to watch the Military channel.  He never served…never wanted to.  I just don’t get it.
11. I still read running blogs.  I don’t want to miss out on what you guys are doing.

hat #2

I wasn’t actually tagged but I picked these to answer from 365 Days of Awesome (love that title):

1. Do you cross train? (Be honest!) Nope.  I used to play  tennis (doubles) and yoga – does that count?
2. What’s your FAVORITE thing about running? Crossing the finish line at the end of a race.
3.  And your LEAST favorite?  Bad runs…days when you just don’t have it and you don’t know why. And INJURIES!!!!
4. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what is it?  Ice cream.
5. What came first, chicken or the egg?  Chicken.
6. You’re stuck on a deserted island – what three books do you wish you had with you?  To read: Twilight, Hunger Games, Le Petit Prince. To look at: my new photo books (tennis & running) & my wedding album
7. How much time do you spend getting ready before leaving your house for a normal day of work/school/whatever you do?  An hour because I like to have breakfast, read the paper and watch the Today show before I take a shower & get dressed.
8. Do you love the treadmill as much as I do?  I hate it.  Only do it if it is raining.
9. My birthday is coming up (in 6 months)… want to come have a party?  Sure, where do you live? I live in NY.
10. What should I get The H for his birthday (next week)?  Does he have an iPad?
11. Have you joined Team Gab yet?  Can I if I can’t run?

Now my 11 questions:

1. What made you start running?
2. What is your favorite race?
3. This year’s running goal?
4. Do you usually run alone or with others?
5. Favorite time of day to run?
6. Why did you start a blog?
7. Favorite TV show?
8. Favorite actor?
9. Favorite movie of all time?
10. Favorite athlete?
11. What would you do if you couldn’t run anymore?

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.   I love to learn about other bloggers/runners!!

Happy Running!

• wheelchair trip to the mall   lost a hat & gloves
• carried up a flight of stairs to a Jimmy Buffet-themed birthday party
• tennis dinner at an Italian restaurant
  

  yes, I cropped it at the knee...

2.  I am working!  That is, I am working from home.  So that means I have moved off the family room recliner into working at the kitchen table with my leg elevated on a chair.  It’s a start.

3.  My tennis friend, Mady, is an orthopedic nurse and works at the same place as my doctor so she pumped him for info on my ankle. According to Mady, the Dr. said that I will probably be able to play tennis again but NOT run.

 4.  From Runner’s World yesterday – “Injury is something that happens to you as an athlete. Others might tell you that you’re done. But if you keep at it, you might be able to get back…” –Abdi Abdirahman, third-place finisher in the men’s 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials.  How timely!!!!

As Tug McGraw (from the Mets) said in 1973 “You gotta believe!!”

Happy Running!  Do you have any motivational  quotes that you want to share?

I was tagged by AJH at Age Groups Rock with The Versatile Blogger Award.  The rules are to share 7 things about yourself.  Then to tag 15 people.  If you have been following me for awhile you may know the 7 things I am sharing but here goes.

1. I started running in April 2008 at the age of 55!! Since then I have run 72 races.  In January 2011, I ran my first of 5 half marathons.

my first half in Naples, Fla.

2. Second to running is my love for tennis.  I started playing seriously about 12 years ago.  The best thing about tennis is the friends that I have made.  Now we do lots of things together that doesn’t even involve playing tennis.

group photo wtih our instructor Billy Bob

3.  My first profession was that of a French teacher.  I did that for 22 years.  I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France.  I love anything and everything French – art (Monet), music (Celine), food (pain au chocolat), drinks (kir), cafe au lait, Les Miz, etc.

4.  I play mah jongg once a week with a great group of ladies.  My favorite game, however,  is still Scrabble.

playing mah jongg by the Schroon River

5.  I love to travel.  I would do it more if I had the time and the money.  I have been to most countries in Europe (except Ireland) & Israel, Greece & Russia.  China and an African safari are on my bucket list as well as Alaska.

3rd trip to Kursk, Russia

6.  I’m a computer geek.  Luckily I went back to school and got another Masters and I have been working as an Instructional Technologist for the past 14 yrs.  Digital photography is my passion.  I never leave the house without a camera.

7. Finally, Dec 29, 2011 was one of the worst days in my life.  I fell avoiding an ice patch while out running and broke my ankle in several places.  I have a plate and screws and am convalescing still at home…. It’s a very long recovery.  The doctor says I may play tennis again but probably will not be able to run.  I say that I will prove him wrong!!  I am so glad that I ran those halfs last year,  You never know what the future will bring…..

I am tagging some runners who have commented on my blog recently:

• Fran from Dutch Girl Gets Healthy
• Suzy from Running On My Time
• Bridget from Our Life…Our World…Our Thoughts
• Michael from Marathon after Fifty
• Rachel from Run 50 States
• Stacie from Skipping in Seattle
• Caroline from Canadian Runner in Exile
• Christa from Livin a Little Life
• Felice from The Happy Runner

Happy Running!  Tag yourself if you are reading this post & I haven’t tagged you.

Yes, we celebrate Christmas in the summer…

So why not celebrate SUMMER in January when it is 10 degrees??

The occasion was my friend Kathi’s birthday. Of course, I made her a digital photo collage mug.

It was a fun time.  Nice to get out of the house. (Again I had to be carried up a huge flight of outdoor stairs!)

Tonight a group of tennis friends went out to dinner at a restaurant (it was on the ground floor – yay!)

So I’ve been getting out and I have been eating A LOT!!

Happy Running! If I can’t weigh myself, does that mean I’m not gaining weight?

1. I  have left the house 4 times since last week-
   1. haircut,
   2. wheelchair trip to the mall,
   3. carried up 30 stairs to a party at a bar,
   4. visit to work
2. I still have (pity) visitors everyday bringing food.
3. I may go back to work soon!! (I can’t stand sitting home… reading stories online about people who broke their ankle and never were the same…)

Happy Running! Know anyone who broke 2 bones & had surgery and actually ran again??

EAT

KNIT (my first hat)

DREAM (Jan 2013)

Happy Running!

Such great memories!  Since I got a $20 gift code from Shutterfly, guess what I made?

Staying busy and missing running…A LOT!!

Happy Running! How do you capture your racing memories?

Today I cannot walk.  Today I cannot run.  Eventually I will walk.  Evenutally I will run.

1 year ago today, I ran my FIRST HALF MARATHON!!! 

Half in Naples, Florida

I had doubts about my ability to do it but I gave it a shot even though my longest race before that was a 5K.  And I did it.  I also ran 4 more during last year.   And I hope to run another in the future.  Boy am I glad, that I took on this challenge!!!

13 years ago, I married my current hubby.

I also had doubts since both of us had been married before.  Both marriages ended poorly.  But we did it.  And I couldn’t get through this injury without him!  I am glad that I took on this challenge too!

Happy Running!  What challenges have you taken on that have changed your life?

lg gang 12-09

Last night, there was a going away party for two of our best friends, Mary Ann & Bob.  They are moving to Florida!  I made them a photo album (of course) and I REALLY wanted to attend.

They chose Brown’s Brew Pub and made reservations for 20.  I called the restaurant to make sure that it was handicap-accessible and they told me NO, the room was upstairs and there were about 30 stairs!!!!!!!!!!!!

How would this be possible for me???  I was planning on going in a wheel chair so I could keep my leg elevated. Would I be able to hop up all those stairs???????

I crutched my way from the parking lot to the restaurant. Then friends to the rescue!!!  Ross & Pat, the youngest men in the group practically carried me up the stairs.

Ross with MaryAnn

Kathi with Bob

So it was fun to see my friends and get out of the house. My photo book was a hit! They loved it!!!

Next up…a visit to work on Thursday!

Happy Running! It’s cold here!  Are you enjoying any outdoor runs?