Last week went well.  I did some strength training Body Pump.  I have not done strength training for a while so it was hard.  My muscles were tired!    Plus trying to keep up with my daughter   age  18   …not a good idea .

 

Taper time…

Disney Marathon ….January 7 2018

The bottom of my  feet were sore from running, so this week I took a break from running.

My family had a nice Hanukkah celebration.  Lots of latkes or potato pancakes consumed.   Latkes are the quintessential culinary treat of  Hanukkah.  It is a   traditional to serve latkes fried in oil to celebrate the Hanukkah  miracle, that involved the oil of the Temple menorah lasting for eight days instead of just one.

Happy Hanukkah     Chag Sameach   Jewish Festival of Rededication.

 

Workouts

Monday 6

Tuesday 6.5 miles

I am officially done with all my hard training for the Walt Disney Marathon.  In three weeks, I will be flying to Walt Disney World for Marathon Weekend. I am so excited.

My body was so tired …. back off time …to rest

 

Last weekend was spent in my home enjoying some quiet relaxation time before my last final training push.  I am now tapering.  Yeah!!!

 

Saturday was the first snow of the season.  The snow always adds a festive atmosphere as we celebrate Chanukah; Plus, Christmas and New Year’s is on the way.

Sunday …Football time

 

 

yummy Hanukkah  desserts

 

December already!  The year has flown by. I had a nice weekend.  I spend my time lounging around the house and watching football.  My husband and I had no obligations or events to attend, so we both enjoyed the quiet.

I am training for the Disney Marathon in January and Boston in April.

Wow…. in 4 weeks, I will be heading to Disney World for Marathon Weekend.     I am so excited.

Most of my running has been on a treadmill. I am not a cold weather runner.

Sunday 6 miles

Monday 12 miles… It wasn’t bad but my feet were getting sore.

Tuesday   18 miles …. Last 4 were tough

I also decorated my home for the holidays.

Love this time of year !

Enjoying A Mudslide after a long Run .  So delicious!

Dogs enjoying the holidays also ……

 

I had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  It was nice to spent time with friends and family.  I truly enjoyed the extra-long 4-day weekend.

I am training for the Disney Marathon in January and Boston in April.

Sunday I ran 10 miles.  ……After enjoying a fun holiday pack weekend, I finally had a whole day to myself.  My adult children returned to their homes and I decided to take advantage of the quiet and run.

Monday ……Long run 18 miles … The first 13 miles. I was fine.  The last five felt very hard.

Tuesday ….. 5 miles

 

 

Hello, After the Disney 10k and half marathon last weekend, my spouse and oldest daughter enjoyed some time in Boca Raton. We spent most of our time sitting by the pool and pampering ourselves.    During our stay, I scheduled a facial and manicure/pedicure treatments, that I truly enjoyed.

 

It  was  very hot and humid in Boca Raton, so I decided to take a break from running.   It was a good idea because I was able to rest my body a bit, so I can be more prepared to increase my long run mileage past 13 miles. In about 7 week, I will be running the Disney Marathon.

On November 11, we flew back home to MA.  It is nice to enjoy the fall crisp weather.

This week Nov 13 -19

Monday long run 16 miles

Tuesday 8 miles

Wednesday rest

Thursday 3 miles

Friday rest

This past weekend, I participated in the Disney Two Course Wine and Dine Challenge. This event combines the 10K on Saturday with the Half Marathon on Sunday—a total of 19.3 miles through the   beautiful Walt Disney World Resort.  I was incredibly excited to be part of this Disney Adventure.  This was my first time participating in the Two Course Challenge.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience but the humidity during both race days was very high. Humidity and I are not running friends. Every run in the humidity makes me feel like I am breathing under water. Yet, I enjoyed participating in both the 10k and Half Marathon.  I love the feeling of accomplishment, receiving a medal, and also the euphoric ‘runner’s high’ after a race.

My husband and oldest daughter were with me in Orlando. They were great company throughout the weekend.
We arrived in Orlando on Friday morning, had a nice lunch at the ESPN Brewery and then I went to the expo to pick up my number. The expo was held at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  Race pick up was super easy and very organized.  After I got back from the expo, I unpacked, and then we all went to dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse.  I had a delicious steak with mash potatoes.

After dinner, it was time to lay my gear and get ready for an early 10k race at the crack of dawn.

…………..

The 10k (6.2) race

My first race of the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend was the 10k.   My goal for this race was to take it easy and have fun, since the half marathon was the next day.

My race morning started very early with my alarm going off at 3:00 a.m.  I showered, got dressed, grabbed a granola bar and was on my way to the starting line.  I caught the first bus from our hotel, Disney Beach Club, to the staging area located at the Magic Kingdom Parking lot.  I arrived at Magic Kingdom early, used the porta potty, and then headed to the running corrals.

At 5:30 on the dot, Corral A, the elite and fastest runners were sent off with fireworks.  To make the start more special, Disney sets of fireworks for each corral. Soon my assigned Corral F was on our journey to complete 6.1 miles.

We ran through Hollywood Studios, around the Boardwalk, over by Epcot, then to the Finish line located near Space Ship Earth.

I had a lot fun greeting the Disney characters along the course and taking pictures.  There was also plenty of aid stations and volunteers  surrounded the route.

Six miles later, I crossed the finish line.  After the race, I collected my water, Gatorade and a few snacks.  I got my medal, and then waited in line for a picture with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Later, I headed to the hotel for a nap, and some relaxation time while my husband and daughter went to Universal Studios to ride some rollercoasters and other exhilarating rides.   I am definitely not a fan of rides, so I just stayed at the hotel.   Later during the day, we went to dinner at the Trattoria Forno on the Board Walk, so I can carbo load for the Half Marathon.

 

Day one of the Challenge, has been such fun! Day 2 is tomorrow.

Day 2 The Half Marathon

Race morning started off with another 3:00 a.m. alarm. I showered, got dressed, and I was out the door and on the shuttle bus to the start for the Half Marathon.

This time we ran through Animal kingdom, Hollywood Studio, and Epcot.  The miles flew by. Around mile 12, I was very excited, when I saw that golf ball (Space Ship Earth) which meant I only have a mile left!   We than ran through a security gate towards the finish line.

Thirteen miles later, I crossed the finish line! I got my medal and drank some water and headed back to the hotel.

 

That night, my family and I had dinner at Bongos Cuban Café.

After dinner, we walked around the Disney Springs.

I now have my Disney Two Course Challenge Medal, in addition to my Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon medal and Disney Wine & Dine 10K Finisher Medal.

Challenge completed.    10k and Half Marathon done!!

Monday morning, we will pack our rental car and head to Boca Raton to visit our town home for a week-long relaxation vacation.

Happy Halloween.

Since I was a child age 10, I have always had allergies and a bit of asthma. Throughout childhood and young adult life, my allergies and asthma did not impact my lifestyle that much. I was able to participate in various outdoor activities without any real issues.   My symptoms were not bothersome, so I was able to make do with over the counter medications and occasional puff of an inhaler before exercise.  

At the age of 40, my asthma and allergies took a turn for the worse.    I was referred to allergist/ asthma specialist in Boston.  I was sent to see Dr. Johnson Wong an allergist-immunologist who is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital.  At his office, I had a physical exam, skin prick test, also called a scratch test, to check for allergic reactions to many different substances and a lung function test.  Entering middle age, I had developed adult onset asthma that was triggered by multi allergens.   I had strong reactions to all pollens, cats, molds, let just say “all nature”.

 

I am 48 and my asthma is a daily issue.   I am currently taking prescription control medications that includes inhaled corticosteroids, Singular, Zyrtec and I am on allergy immunotherapy injections. However, my asthma can be exasperated by colognes, perfumes, fragrances, extreme cold or hot weather, humidity, and being outdoors in the country during high pollen seasons.

Sometimes, my asthma can get the best of me. I have been forced to walk most of a half marathon or a marathon due to breathing struggles, yet I always cross the finish line.   I do not believe in quit, unless I am truly sick.  Also, asthma flare ups can occur while I am not exercising. Recently, I walked out of a High Holiday Jewish Rosh Hashanah service, because I was surrounded by the people wearing perfumes, colognes and who knows what the “heck” else to avoid an asthma attack. This fall I had a little attack at an apple orchard and a country concert as well. I keep my inhaler close by and all is fine.

I love running and the happiness it brings. I am a very slow runner, but my passion for the sport is big.  I have completed many 5ks, Half Marathons and Marathons.   Crossing many finish lines has given me tremendous amount of confidence.  I love the feeling of accomplishment.  I like doing something hard and getting rewarded for my efforts.

When I run, I always feel the love from other runners.  Yes, I have been passed by 5-year-olds and 90-year-old geezers, but I still receive the same medal(bling) as all finishers.  With my respiratory issues, I realized I can’t go very fast, so I accept that many runners will be better than me.   Throughout the years, I learned to stop comparing myself to another runner. I am grateful for all my successes and I am very blessed to be given the opportunity to run in many races and I will be doing many more.  

In closing, due to my slow running, I tend to be on the course when many people are already done. For this reason, I get a lot of attention from the photographers – fewer runners to get their attention.

 

I have caught the running bug. Running is my obsession.

Ps…   My training technique is the Galloway Method of Running.  The plan is a run/ walk training plan. This allowed my lungs to recover more and his technique has changed my running for the better.  I feel stronger and I am able to have a lot more successes with my races. I do most of my runs indoors on a treadmill where there is a nice control environment.

 

 

 

 

 

Today I participated in the 27th Annual Canton Fall Classic.   The event offered a variety of races that included a 5k, 10k, kid’s fun run and a Senior Walk.  I wanted to participate in today’s events because I heard from other runners that it was   one of the South Shore’s best event.      Today, I ran the 5k.

It was a perfect morning for a race. More than 400 runners participated in the 5K, 10K, Fun Run and Senior Walk.   Temple Beth Abraham hosted the 27^th running of the Canton Fall Classic.

The race was challenging and scenic.  The course was surprisingly hilly, but I guess running hills has many benefits.  The first mile had a few small rolling hills.  The second mile of the 5k was all uphill.    The last mile was downhill to the finish.

………

Last week my running schedule looked like:

 

 

Monday 13 miles on a treadmill, running to music by Kenny Rogers, and a success

 

It was an excellent run.   Water, snacks, a fan, comfortable environment to run in, I was ready to run.  Kenny Rogers music was the theme for my playlist this week.  Love old country!

My plan was to run 11 miles, but once I reached   the 11-mile mark, I decided to keep running to complete a Half Marathon on a treadmill.

 

Tuesday 6 miles

Sunday     3 miles

 

 

 

Saturday, October 21, I ran the Rise and Adapt 5k that benefits the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts.

 

The race started and ended at Silver Lake Regional High School located in Kingston MA. Runners and walkers were encouraged to participate.  There was about 100 runners/walkers that were in attendance.

 

Number pick up was between 8:00am and 9:00am.

 

At 9:00am, we were sent on our way to complete the 5k.  The temperature was sunny and 54 degrees.  The course was fairly flat with one tiny hill towards the end of the race.

It was a nice fall morning to run a race.

 

Sunday, October 15, I participated in the Norwell Police Department K-9 5k. The proceeds helped fund and start up a Norwell Police K-9 department. The money will be used to pay for the cost of the dog, and purchase all the equipment associated with the K-9 program.  There was also a fun run for the young kids.

 

I arrived in Norwell at 8:30am to pick up my bib and running shirt.

 

The race started and finished at the Norwell Police Station.  At 9:00am, the race started.  There was about 150 runners participating in the event. The course travelled through the quiet suburbs of Norwell.

 

It was a bit foggy and the temperature was 65 degrees at the time of the run, yet it was a nice morning for a run.  The 5k was nice, mostly flat with one very small hill at mile 2.
After the race, the Norwell Police Department put on a K9 demonstration and hosted an open house at the Police and Fire Station for the kids.