Today, we adopted a female chocolate Labrador Puppy. We love her so much! Welcome home Zoey! Last month, my beloved chocolate lab Zohan died of old age complications, cancer +severe arthritis. Life is busier these days, but my pack is complete again. Retrievers are the best.
Time for another cup of coffee……before I go outside in the backyard to play fetch with all 4 dogs. Must burn my dogs’ energy off.
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Running.
After Dopey…..48.6 miles
I am recovering very well. Even though, I love running I am taking the winter months off to prevent burnout. Instead of running, I will be enjoying group fitness classes and lap swimming at Life Time.
Then it will be Spring time… which means local neighborhood races …..more fun races
Hello all, in 2000, I ran my first Marathon. It was the Boston Marathon. Twenty-two years later, I am still hooked on running 26.2 miles. Running has been an amazing activity for me.
However, my journey in life has not always been an easy ride. I had my share of failures and struggles. For example, I always struggled academically. I was very insecure about not being “book smart”. Never made it through a 4-year college. Struggled with reading comprehension + writing.
All my failures, I believe, were gifts from higher above. My path was redirected, which led me to the world of running. I love running!
As I flew back to Boston, I had plenty of time to reflect on the fun events this weekend. I am so blessed to be able to still run at the age of 52. I have so much to be thankful for. I am very pleased with all my running accomplishments throughout my life. I have run many consecutive Boston Marathons for various charities, at least 17, and many other races that pushed me to reach my best. I am so fortunate to be able to continue running marathons. I realize some people may never be able to run a mile or even 26 miles. I am so honored to have the gift to run.
Now at age 52, I have a new running goal. I am going to try to run many consecutive Dopey’s.
I DID IT! I am Dopey. 48.6 miles around Disney 4 parks…Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
I crossed the finish line. Smiling from ear to ear. Happy tears. I collected all my medals, then I made my way to the Disney buses that would take me back to Old Key West.
Climbing those 3 steps to board the Disney bus was hard after completing 26.2 miles! After a ten-minute ride, I was back at the resort.
First stop off the bus …Hugging spouse…
Second stop ……nap.
I finished my second Dopey Challenge.
These Dopey Challenges are a mark of time for me. A lot of good has happened since the last Dopey Challenge 2020.
I am now age 52. I am in great health and married so far for 27 years. I am now a grandmother (Bubbie Yiddish) to a granddaughter named Sarah. Sarah is already 18 months and will be 2 in May of 2022. My oldest daughter Carrie and John are the proud parents.
My youngest daughter graduated college in May 2021 and now has her own apartment.
Husband is doing well and moved his business to a bigger location.
It was an excellent race and the best is still yet to come
It’s been two years in the making …. Tomorrow is the Disney Marathon. I am so excited! The Challenge is almost done. Wish me luck!
Thursday 5k done.
Friday 10k done.
Saturday Half Marathon done.
I had a good race. I ran this race very slowly to conserve my energy for the marathon. Runners started the race outside of Epcot, then we headed up to Magic Kingdom, around all the attractions, and back to Epcot for the finish.
So far, all my races were a success.
I have been feeling good.
No allergies, no asthma issues, no hay fever, no headaches, no dehydration, no stomach issues, no overly sore feet or legs, no electrolyte issues, no fatigue issues……
So, tomorrow my body and brain will hopefully know what to do…… Disney Marathon here I come.
I am so thankful to be able to enjoy the excitement and camaraderie again among the runners. Big races are so special. Thousands of runners shared one goal …… to finish.
It’s been two years since I’ve been to Disney World and I am glad to be back.
Time to run…. 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a Half Marathon on Saturday, and a full Marathon on Sunday. 48.6 miles
My husband and I left cold winter Boston at 8: 00am and we arrived in Orlando around 11:00am. By the time we reached our resort, it was noon. We checked in, and then we were off to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to pick up my race numbers, and running tech shirts. I got 6 awesome long sleeve tech shirts for the 5k, 10k, Half, Full, Goofy Challenge and Dopey. We walked around the expo a bit and then it was time to head back to the hotel to unpack.
That night, my husband and I had a delicious Italian dinner at the Il Mulino located at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. I ordered my favorite pasta dish, spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce. It was so good.
Tomorrow the Challenge begins….I will keep you all posted throughout the weekend.
My husband and I are having a quiet New Year’s and I couldn’t be happier. We chose to hang out in the comfort of our own cozy living room. We both are blessed with good health and a great family.
Overall, I am happy with the year 2021.
This past year….
I have been working on cutting my sugar habit. I lost about 8 pounds and lowered my AIC.
I have been drinking more water.
I have been keeping up with my exercise throughout the pandemic. Both running and strength training.
I have been a member of LifeTime Gym for 2 years and still love it.
I have been enjoying hanging out with family and friends.
I am thankful for all the good in 2021. Cheers to 2022. I had a good year. In a few days, I will be in Disney World for the Disney Marathon Weekend. I will be starting next year running 48.6 miles. I will conquer all the miles….and whatever life throws at me in the future good or bad.
As 2021 comes to close, all that matters is love and memories, so make sure you give and make them.
As I watched the other major marathons Chicago, Boston and New York happen, I have been getting more excited about the one I chose to do ……. now it’s almost my turn!
I am ready. My goal is to finish all four races in a full upright position and a smile on my face.
This training cycle, I felt completely balanced. (Rest, running, cross-training, recovery, sleep, free time)
Bring it on….
Last week I completed another “Dopey simulation, running 4 consecutive days with mileage of 3, 6, 13, and finally 20 miles. Majority was done on a treadmill… I hate the cold.
Monday 3 (5k)
Tuesday 6 (10K)
Wednesday 13 (Half Marathon)
Thursday 20 miles
Crazy as it sounds, I listened to Christmas music during my runs. It gave me a nice running boost. The happy upbeat music kept me motivated when I needed it. For example, listening to Brenda Lee -Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree many times certainly got me moving at a faster pace. This song was created for long runs!
Anyways, I am pleased with my performance. My body responded very well to the increased demands I placed on it.
Good news on the medical front, due to better eating habits my HBA1C (measures sugar in the blood) is down. I am in the process of breaking my sugar addiction. It has been a long three months cutting way back on cookies, ice cream, cake, candy, etc…Sadly, running doesn’t make me immune from the negative health effects of eating too much refined sugar.
Back in August, I promised my doctor, I would lower my HBAIC number and I did.
I am looking forward to Christmas and New Year’s.
Even though Christmas is not a religious holiday for me, I like celebrating Christmas as a secular holiday. It is a good time to see family, watch holiday movies on television, and enjoy the beauty of Christmas light displays.
My spouse complains he is not on the blog enough…..he will be keeping me company in Disney World . Thank you. Love your wife..
Hanukkah, we remember the miracle of a small army of Jews beating a big army of Greeks, Also, we remember the miracle of the menorah and its light. Tonight, I also remember all the big and small miracles that happened in my life. I am grateful for my freedom and all the good things that were given to me.
I am so thankful to be blessed with a strong spouse, well-adjusted children, close relatives, loyal friends and the healthy development of my 18-month granddaughter.
I am also grateful for the small things… beautiful winters, cozy slippers, hot chocolate, dogs, and so on …
On this eighth night of Hanukkah, keep shining on……#shining #donuts #miracle #lessdimworld
This week was a low milage week. My focus was on strength training and a relaxation Yoga Surrender Class.
Today, my daughter Carrie and I participated in a 5k.
Over 1500 runners showed up for the Thanksgiving morning North Reading Turkey Trot. It was chilly outside, but I was bundled up well. I am not a fan of cold weather running.
At 7:45am runners headed to the start line. A bunch of high schoolers runners lined up in the front, followed by more runners and families.
At 8:00 am…and we were off. Carrie can beat me pretty easily, so it did not surprise me when she flew by me at the start.
Many people were racing hard, I was “trotting” along. I enjoyed the three-mile journey around the town of North Reading. I wanted this race to be more of a fun run, rather than a competitive race.
I enjoyed having my daughter there, it made the race more fun. It was nice bonding time.
Middle Age Slow Runner Robin's Running Stories 