Tag Archive | friday Five

Friday Five – 10 Years Ago

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

Five Things that I was Doing Five Years Ago!

Ok, it’s time to take a stroll down memory lane. One of the things that I noticed is that the expression of the more things change, the more they stay the same is so true. My life has changed a lot in the last 10 years, yet for the most part the core of it is the same. To me that is a good thing!

1. My oldest son was graduating preschool ten years ago. He just finished his Freshman year of High School. Wow that went by quick.

2. I was a Creative Memories Consultant selling scrapbook making products. I still love to scrapbook, but the selling part was always hard for me. I will also say that although I have everything I need, I haven’t scrapbooked in a long time. My poor third child only has his baby book done and nothing else. Poor third child. This fall after the MCM though, I plan to take some down time from training to catch up a little.

3. Since it seems to be a recurring theme in my Friday Five’s, I also must mention that I was vacationing in Vermont once again. Same camp site as we still get.

4. I was just starting to teach preschool gymnastics at the local YMCA which I still do today.

5. I was just starting to bake cakes for my kids which started me on my baking. This is one of my first cakes.

Yes, I realize that he is wearing the same shirt. He had more than one, but this was his favorite:)

Looking back it is good to see where I started as my cakes have come a long way!

So, yes many things in my life have changed; but many have stayed the same or were just starting 10 years ago. Can’t wait to look back in another 10 years to see how things have changed?

Where were you 10 years ago?

Friday Five – Five Things That Make Me Happy

Jun19

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Things That Make Me Happy

Now, I will say these are not in order of importance, but the first one does help me enjoy the rest of them:)

1. Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

As long as it’s light and sweet, I am good to go. Be it iced, hot, latte, cappuccino, or even ice cream.

2. Running Friends

Running is enjoyable in and of itself, but I know that I would not be getting as much out of it without my running friends. We encourage each other. We really do want to hear about what your running. Most importantly, we enjoy hanging out and laughing together.

3. Vermont

Yes, I know this was on my last list; but I can’t help it. I really love it. It is a beautiful place to go and it is a special place for my family. My husbands family has been going there for 30 plus years. My family has been going since it was just my husband and me. I think in our 17 years together, I have missed 2 trips and one was because I was 8 months pregnant with my third child and my husband took the older boys.

Camping isn’t for everyone, but I do love it. I say it forces us to be a family. There is no tv, computer or such to keep us “busy.” Therefore, we play cards and other such games together. Sometimes we just sit by the fire or lay in the hammock. There is no cell service on site and it is nice to disconnect from the world. One of the best things is the ability to get away from the 24/7 news cycle.

4. Family and Friends that are like Family

Life would not be the same without them and they are really what makes it worth it.

5. My Dogs

There is something to be said about dogs. They love you unconditionally and really all they want is to be with you. Maybe some treats, but they love you even without them. As I’m typing this my little guy is literally at my feet just happy to be hanging out with me. Although, he does like to get out and have some fun too!

What are five things that make your happy?

Friday Five

Jun11

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Favorite Summer Activities

I will admit that one of the things that I love, love, love about Summer is not to have a schedule. This is especially nice after the crazy Spring sport end of year activities. That being said, I do love to do things on these non scheduled days.

1. Jersey Shore

Last year we went to the beach a lot. There is just something about having the sand between your toes which is so nice. Please don’t think that I spend all my time on the beach because I love jumping the waves as much as the next person.

2. Roller Coasters!

Yes, I’m still a big kid at heart. Last year we went to a few different parks and by far my favorite was Dorney Park because of not just the number of roller coasters, but the number of times that I got to ride them with the boys:)

3. Day Trips – love to surprise the boys with a trip to the zoo, aquarium, or any such place. It breaks up the week and is always fun to go someplace that you don’t get to go to often.

4. Visiting Momo

We always have a great time when we go out to Momo’s AKA as Grandma to the boys:). There is swimming, making smores by the fire pit, tire swing, and usually lots of goodies.

5. Vermont

Some people don’t understand my love for Vermont as we go camping, but we go camping right on a lake. We are able to disconnect as there is no cell service at the campsite. We spend our days laying in the hammock, relaxing, and just being together. Plus it’s really pretty.

What are your favorite Summer Activities?

Friday Five – Favorite Summer Fruits/Veggies

May21

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

Favorite Fruits and Veggies

We all know that we should eat more fruits and veggies, but there is something about fresh summer fruits and veggies that make it so much easier!

Last year, I had them delivered from a place called Just Farmed. It was great. Every week, I got a box of fresh veggies from NJ, PA, and some NY farms. We are going to be gone a lot this summer, so I’m not planning on doing it, but there is always the local Farmer’s Market.

1. Fresh Corn – If your from Jersey, there is nothing better than fresh farm corn.

2. Strawberries – Their season is short, but it is worth the wait. There is no comparison to the fresh picked on the farm summer strawberry. It is nothing like the strawberry that you get in the supermarket.

3. Blueberries – If you ever get a chance to go blueberry picking, go. First of all it’s fun. Second of all, you leave with a basket of the yummiest freshest blueberries imaginable.

I do believe this counts as a serving of fruit too!

4. Fresh Summer Peaches – just those three words gets your mouth watering thinking of the juiciest peach that only summer brings.

5. Tomatoes – I love vine ripened tomatoes. Growing up my grandmother used to slice them. Then put them on bread with mayo and a pinch of salt. So good!

I wonder how many of us love the same summer fruits?

Friday Five – Where is all Your Stuff?

May15

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Ways to Organize Your Fitness Gear

I would like to say this is what it looks like everyday, but it doesn’t. This is what it looks like after a clean up. To be honest, this is what it looks like most days.

Not too bad, but not as good as when I first organized.

Some days worse, but you don’t need to see that!

1. Bags – different activities require different gear. Therefore, I have these things in their own bags that I can just grab and go. I’ve got a yoga bad, a running bag, a gym bag, and a swim bag. Might seem overkill, but it works for me. This way when I’m heading out I can just grab the right bag.

2. Shoes – I don’t know a runner who only has one pair of running shoes. Maybe this is just the runners in my circle, but most of us have several pairs of shoes. Plus we find it hard to let go of our old ones. I keep my shoes under my bed which is right next to the bins in the picture. This way everything is right there for the taking.

3. Bins, Bins, Bins – the smaller bin contains smaller things that I use all the time such as my Garmin, running hat or headbands, gels, ect

The back bin holds all my aforementioned bags.

The front bin which has a lid holds miscelanous items that I need but not every day – night running vests and lights, extra belts, ect, ect.

4. Bags, Bags, Bags – Under my bed, behind my shoes is a bag filled with tutus ( you know I have more than one!). In the bins, I have my extra belts in a bag, my night time running equipment in a bag, my race day stuff in a bag. You get the idea.

5. Clothes – Just like I have to change out my normal wardrobe by the season, I change out my running clothes by season. Then all my running shorts, pants, shirts ect will fit into one of the bigger drawers in the dresser. I have a hook to hang vests and jackets above the bins.

My goal is to keep everything contained and out of the way. There is a method to my madness to because if it’s left out hubby might actually see how much stuff I have. Then he might begin to ask questions. What he doesn’t know, he doesn’t need to know:)

Where is all your stuff?

Friday Five – Sharing the Running Love!

May8

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Ways to Share the Running Love

To me these transfer to life too!

1. Be Inspiring – What I mean by this is just do the best that you can on any given day. The best way to inspire people is to walk the walk or in this case Run the Run. Be it a run around the park, a 5K, a 10K, a Half, a Full. What ever it is make it the best run you can have.

2. Be Authentic – Don’t try to be anyone else. The world is full of other people. What the world needs is you to be you. If you are a fast runner, run fast. If you are a slow runner, run slow. If you are in between, that’s fine too! Life would be boring if we were all the same. Running would be boring if we all ran the same race. Be who you were meant to be and that is inspiring enough.

3. Be Happy – Yes, I know that there are things in life that are sad, depressing, and sometimes things don’t work out. Yes, I know that there are runs that are sad, depressing, and sometimes don’t work out. That being said, everyday is a gift. Every run is a gift. There are things in life and running that we just can’t change. Don’t focus on those things. Focus on the positive things, embrace them, and Be Happy.

4. Encourage Others – There is a saying about strong women building each other up. It’s true. Another woman’s success does not take away from your accomplishments. We are all in this together and should have each others backs! You never know what your encouraging word can do to inspire someone. Besides there is too much negativity in the world without adding to it!

5. Be Proud of your Accomplishments – Now, I don’t mean walk around with your medals all the time. Although, I will admit that I will bring them to school pick-up after a big event to show my friends. I don’t mean brag about it to every person you see either, although that is sometimes tempting. I mean let your light shine.

Sing it with me now,

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine

let it shine

(Admit it, you sang it)

How can we inspire others if we hid away what we are doing? You can’t. So be proud of your hard work. Share your hard won accomplishments, your goals, and what you are doing.

Now, your turn…

I’m going to ask you to share the Running Love with me now too:)

I wrote about this is my Blog Post Dreaming The Dream Until I can’t Dream It Anymore. I’m not your typical runner. I don’t have the runner’s body (what ever that is). I wasn’t athletic ever, but I’ve become a runner along the way. I have a passion for it. I have a need for it. I love to share it. So I think to myself, why couldn’t I win to be on the cover of Runner’s World. Wouldn’t it be cool if just your average running mom made the cover? So, please vote for me here.

Friday Five – 5 Things About Race Day

Apr24

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Things about Race Day’s

I’ve done a few races now. I have a bit of a ritual as I think most of us do when it comes to our race prep. Race prep is just as much as a mental prep as it is a physical one. Neither one can or should be ignored. If you are physically prepared but your head isn’t in the game, you may still have a bad day. Obviously, you can be as mentally prepared as you want but without being physically ready, you might as well stay home.

Here is my all important check list

1. Besides the standard carb loading, I also like to increase my water consumption leading up to a race. Just a day or two ahead of time. Now I’m not talking chugging extra gallons of water, because that won’t do anything except make me bloated. I’m just talking about adding a glass or two throughout the days leading up to the event. The reason that I do this is because as anyone who knows me can tell you, I am a massive coffee drinker. Massive. I just feel like some added water evens it all out. I should probably do this everyday, but I do feel it more important near race day.

2. Not only plan out my race attire, but lay it all out including Bib number. I am a visual person and I need to see it all together down to my Garmin. This way in my sleep deprived state all I need to do is go to my preplanned pile. It’s all thought out ahead of time and there is less chance of forgetting anything. I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t do this unless, of course, you don’t pre-prep.

3. Plan my morning “breakfast.” Usually races require an early start. This means no time for a big breakfast and who wants that when you will then need to search porta-potties because you ate too much. My normal go to breakfast is a breakfast bar with a banana. This way I can eat it while I’m getting ready or in the car.

4. Have coffee. I’ve said it before, I drink massive coffee. Hey, it’s good for me. Right? Anyway, race morning is no the day to go through caffeine withdraw. Even though I am not a morning person, I will wake up at least an hour early to allow time for my morning coffee.

5. Post Bakery Snack – We have been doing a lot of racing in NYC. Most of them are near Central Park. We park in the same vicinity every time. This way at the end of every event; we come out to Magnolia’s Bakery. Somehow, you don’t feel as guilty eating a million calories after a run:) There have been times we have said we wouldn’t stop, but like on Auto Pilot our feet bring us right to the street and we stop anyway. It’s almost like every road leads to the bakery:)

What do you do Race Day?

Friday Five – Five Brands I LOVE!

Apr17

Here we are again for another Friday Five hosted by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What? for hosting the Friday Five link-up!

Today’s theme

Five Brands I love

1. Athleta – I think this should be a given being as I love their running pants, winter jacket, running vest, and basically anything that I buy from them. Yes, they do cost more but they are worth it. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for and with Athleta you are getting top quality. Plus they have the best return policy I know.

2. Savory Spices – Yes, I know this is a running blog. That being said it is important to fuel your body with tastey and healthy food to keep it going. Love, love, love their spices. It is a great way to flavor your food without added fat. Although, I admit that I may have a Spice problem, but I think there are worse problems to have;)

3. Trek – I felt so much of a difference when I switched to my Trek bike for my Tri’s. NO, I do not have the top of the line Trek. I don’t even have the middle of the line, but I know that it has made a huge difference in my biking. Maybe one day I will upgrade, but for now I’m good.

4. Gu – you either love them or you hate them. To me, I’m in the love them category and I like them to refuel. They are easy to take, tastey too. I don’t care how good something is to fuel me on a long workout, if I can’t eat it. Personal favorites are Caramel and Strawberry/banana. Yummy!

5. North Face – They have some really great products and by far my favorite running bra. Fits comfy. Small storage pocket. Double layered. No chaffing. What more could a girl ask for?

What are your top Five?

Can’t wait to see….

Friday Five – Five Good Things

Apr3

Once again, I’m getting in under the wire with my Friday Five Link up. Thanks to Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What? for hosting the Friday Five link-up!

Today’s Theme

Five Five: Five Good Things

There are so many good thing to choice from, but I’ll narrow it down to Five.

Taking my family out of the running because they are a given:)

1. Spring – It has finally arrived!!! No more heavy jackets, hats, and gloves to run in! No more ice to worry about falling on. No more thinking about how many layers are required!!

2. Mama Running Buddies (both online and in real time) – There is something to be said about the inspiration, motivation, and knowledge that you can obtain from your fellow Mama runners. I, honestly, wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without you:)

3. That I’m registered for all my required NYRR races to qualify for the 2016 NYC Half Marathon and Marathon!

Whoop! Whoop!

Now all I have to do is run them.

4. Salted Caramel Gu – Yes, it is a good thing. Love caramel and it gives me the boost I need on long runs.

5. My Puppy!!! Yes, you’ve turned my life upside down, but you really are fitting in very nicely with the family. On top of that your really cute!

You had to know that Finn would make the list!

It’s always important to remember and focus on the good things in our lives. Most of us are blessed more than we realize and it’s important to take time to remember the good things.

Happy Easter!

Friday Five – Five Things I’m Loving Right Now!

Mar6

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Things I’m Loving Right Now…

1. The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector – Love, Love, Love this stuff. I have normally very dry skin and the winter weather is not helping. But this cream does help. It doesn’t go on greasy and keeps my hands from drying out.

2. EOS Lip balm – First of all the container is just so darn cute and it’s much harder to loose than other tube shaped lip balms. I admit that this is too big for my running belt, but I do put it on before my outdoor runs. It is also easier to find in my huge purse than normal lip balm. Blue is Vanilla Mint too:)