Category Archives: running commentary

An Unexpectedly Good Run

I went for a long run this morning and am determined to make a Running Commentary post.  First,  as often happens, I decided I wasn’t going to run.  It was humid, it was going to rain, etc, etc.  Then I went.

I turned right at the end of my driveway instead of going towards German Street as I usually do, just for something different.   I did not intend to run for long; I often have problems breathing when it’s humid.  Besides, it was probably going to rain.

Right away it felt pretty good to run.  Maybe I could rock this after all.  Maybe run a hill, only that meant changing directions, because there aren’t many hills in Herkimer.  Should I or should I not make a detour through Meyer’s Park?   The sight of two dogs decided me.

“Can I pet your dogs?”  I always ask first, although one dog was already approaching me.

“One’s friendly,  one’s not,”  their person said.  I remembered those dogs; I petted the friendly one once before.

Feeling happy, because I love to pet a nice dog, I continued into the park, taking the V back to Park Avenue and heading towards Caroline Street.  I had decided to run up the hill by Valley Health. It took me a while to get there (YES, I run slow, I thought you knew that about me), and I began to wonder how long my run would end up being.  Could I even go for 40 minutes, which was my last longest time?  Extravagant thought!   Just keep running.

The hill wasn’t much fun but I made it to the top and kept going on into the residential area up there.  I kept talking myself into going a little further.   After all, it wasn’t raining yet.  I even went up a minor upgrade, although I avoided a couple more challenging hills.

I stopped at the spring for a quick drink, after some arguments with myself as to whether or not I deserved it.  Who am I to judge these things anyways?  Soon I was back on German Street ,  headed for home.  As I reached Caroline, I saw two friendly dogs I have encountered before, and they were headed in my direction!

“Good morning!” I said. “I’ve petted these dogs before!”

“Yes, we’ve met before, ” the nice young man said, as the dogs jumped at me as if they remembered too.

I made it to 40 minutes by virtue of going around the block of Henry and Bellinger streets.  On Church Street, I saw Chico and Bear, two neighborhood pooches, with their person.  I happily crossed the street to pet them and exchange a few words with their Mom.

As I ran up Bellinger I greeted a man standing in front of his house.

“That’ll make you healthy,” he said.

“Either that or it’ll kill me, ” I answered.

Obviously it didn’t kill me.  Not yet, anyways, and I felt pretty darn good walking my cool-down.  As I make this blog post, the rain is pouring down, so I guess I timed it right.  Time to get on with the rest of my day!

 

Let’s Hear It For Perseverance!

I woke up this morning saying, “I don’t want to run.  I’m not going to run.”  I am happy to report that I ran anyways. Now I shall attempt a Saturday Running Commentary post.

One good reason to run was that it was not raining.  Yesterday I thought I was getting out between showers, but it did not work out for me, either when I ran or later when I walked to the post office and Historical Society. Also, today was not windy and cold, altogether a much better day.

Unfortunately,  to begin with, it was not a better run.  My legs felt tired, my whole body felt tired.  I figured I would feel better as I went on, so I,  you know, went on.  I felt I should run a hill so decided to go out Main Street.  There are two chances to turn right and go back down the hill before you have to run all the way out Highland Boulevard (I may have that street name wrong; I haven’t run it yet this year).  I took the second right last time I ran it and thought to do the same today.

As I started up the hill, I did not feel happy.  I almost took the first turn but persevered to the second.  For one reason, my plan was to run for 36 minutes, my last longest time, then up it by the recommended ten percent on Sunday.  I made a long diagonal on the turn.  That was a little steeper but less time running uphill. Ugh.  Am I getting any better at running,  I wondered.

I reminded myself that sometimes my runs did not start to feel good before I had been at it for at least 20 minutes.  I looked at my watch.  Damn.

Fortunately, perseverance sometimes pays off.  My first reward was to pause VERY briefly and smell some peonies.  I had a few chances to do that.  Toward the end of the run, I got to pet a nice dog. And as I neared the 20 minute mark, I did start to feel better.

By the end of the run, I felt perfectly happy about going for 36 minutes.  It was no problem at all to keep going!  I could rock this!  I decided that long runs are the Way to Go (yes, yes, 36 minutes is a short jog for some of you; let me enjoy my little triumph in peace).

I felt glorious walking my cool-down.  Yes “glorious” was the exact word that repeated itself in my head.  I love running.  I hope it doesn’t rain too hard for me to run again tomorrow.

 

Fourth Time the Charm?

I am hoping some of the readers of Monday’s post are curious to know if I once again found that running four days in a row is the Way to Go. I’m afraid I’m still on the fence, but I ran and thought I’d make a Running Commentary post.

The weather reports said it was cooler out today, you’ll need a jacket.  I didn’t go that far, but I did put a sweatshirt on my deck to wear on my cool-down walk if needed, and I made sure to wear a headband to cover my ears.

Right away it did not feel terrific. My legs were not happy and my knees hurt.  What the hell, body? I thought.  However, as long as I had gotten that far, I would continue.   I could make it a short run.  You can do those things when you run a few days in a row.

Kids were walking to school.  Maybe I’ll try leaving earlier next time.  We don’t usually  get in each other’s way, but I feel a little self-conscious,  especially when I am headed in the same direction as them and it takes me forever to catch up. I saw a young woman cross German Street, which was what I wanted to do, since I had it in my head to run up the hill by Valley Health.

My good time to cross made me practically run into her.  She looked amused (I probably do look comical) and wished me a good morning.  As I ran on, I heard behind me a car stop and offer the woman a ride.  From her grateful “Yes, please,” I hypothesized that she was headed up the hill to Herkimer College. I may be running that hill myself later this week.

For today,  however, I contented myself with the smaller hill.  It was enough of an effort at the time.  I continued on into the residential area, avoiding the hills and working my way back in the direction I came from.

As I went, it became not a bad run.  I don’t think I got a dose of endorphins,  but I did feel some of the antidepressant effects of exercise.  My legs settled into things, even my knees,  and my breathing felt OK.

I ended up running for 25 minutes.  As I started my cool-down walk,  I said good morning to a neighbor sitting on her front stoop.

“Good morning,” she answered.  “Do you feel good after your run?”

“I sure do,” I said.  “And the best part is the walk around the block after.”

I did feel good.  I wonder how running five days in a row would feel.  Maybe I’ll see how many days I can go.  As always,  I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Monday Run After Sunday Slump

So I missed making my Sunday post, Wrist to Forehead,  Cinema, or other.  I was working on that post about the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.   I’d add more to it, say, “Oh, I can’t do this today,” repeat process.  I think I will be able to finish it today, but in the meantime I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary post.

I worked in the yard rather than run on Saturday (please believe that it was a workout), then surprised myself on Sunday by increasing my run time by the recommended 10 percent, to 36 minutes.  Compared to some of my running friends, that is not at all impressive,  but we all do what we can.

This morning I was feeling tired and inclined to let myself off the hook — after all,  running every other day is acceptable — but then I saw on my Facebook On This Day where I had posted, “Running four days in a row is the Way to Go.”  I thought it would be nice to echo that sentiment.  We’ll see on Wednesday whether or not I do.

In any case, I got out and started.  It did not feel great.  No matter, I was running and intended to keep going.   A short, easy run would be OK. The point was to do it.  Maybe I would feel better as I went along.

Eventually I did feel better.  It did not take long to realize my legs were quietly chugging along as if they knew what they were doing.  My breathing did not feel so great, so I concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths. I felt tired but able to continue.

The highlights of my run were the quick pauses I took to sniff lilacs and peonies.  A couple of times I had to take a few steps up a driveway or onto a lawn, but I felt sure nobody would mind.  Beautiful sights, sounds, and smells are to share!  At least so I believe.

Going up one street, a young man was sharing his music.  It wasn’t my favorite kind of music, but to each his own.  I passed a number of young people walking to school or waiting for the bus.  It’s a new thing for me to be running at this time on a weekday,  but never mind that.

I ended up running for 30 minutes.  I thought that was OK. I’m halfway to the aforementioned fourth day on a row!

 

A Run to Start my Day

How about a Saturday Running Commentary to start the day?  Well, technically it does not start my day, because I had to run, then I showered and did a couple more chores… but you know what I mean (didn’t call you Shirley that time).

Full disclosure:  I had meant to be running in Liverpool this morning, from my sister Diane’s house.  But I did not have my act together to get packed and make the drive last night.  Did I mention that in last night’s post?  I’m too lazy to go back and check.  Uh, I mean I am too pressed for time.  Yeah, let’s go with the second one.

In a rare move for me, I got dressed and out running before coffee and a chance to change my mind.  I put on shorts and short sleeves before even checking the temperature.  It was 51 F, so that was OK (45 is my arbitrary and sometimes ignored cut-off for long sleeves and leggings).  It was foggy out, or “froggy” as my husband, Steven likes to call it.  He likes frogs.  I wished I was up to running up the hill to Herkimer College (formerly known as HCCC), to get a really good view of it.  Then again, the view from up there is prettier without the fog, and I am NOT up to running that hill (at least, I might make it up out of sheer stubbornness, but I sure wouldn’t feel good afterwards).  Anyways, I could see plenty of fog just looking down the street.

I turned right onto German Street.  The air felt cool on my ears and hands, but I felt secure in my wardrobe choices.  I crossed Main Street, since there was not much traffic that early, and decided to turn down the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  I want to walk down it with my great-nephew Sheppie sometime, because somebody painted places with certain steps:  march, jump, crab-crawl.  We used to call it crab-walk in my younger days.  It was my favorite, but I am not sure I would encourage anybody to do it on blacktop.  We used to do it in the grass.

My previous longest run was 27 minutes last Sunday (in this latest bout of getting back into running).  My runs during the week were shorter, after working all day.  Since I am not currently building up for a specific race, I decided not to worry if this was a short run.  For one reason, I was getting thirsty.  That is one advantage of pausing for coffee: I also drink water.  I just kept encouraging myself to keep going, bearing in mind that a nice bottle of water awaited me at my house.

The run ended up lasting 28 minutes. Woohoo!  I never got any of those endorphins, which quite frankly I could have used.  However, as usual, I felt good that I ran.  And now I feel good that I made a blog post.  On with the weekend!

 

I’m Pleased with my Mid-Week Run

At least I have a good reason to be tired tonight:  I went running.  Although, considering the pace (slow) and distance (short) I managed, perhaps I don’t have a good reason but merely a lame excuse.  What a situation when it is NOT Lame Post Friday!  Never mind.  My plan was to do a Running Commentary post in lieu of the threatened Wuss-out Wednesday.  Let’s see how I do.

I was actually pretty impressed with myself that I automatically went upstairs to put on running clothes and gather laundry (I love to multi-task like that on mid-week runs).  I had had the vague plan to run, of course, since I had not run Monday or Tuesday (rain was my excuse those days).  I knew it would be a pity not to run, since I had run both Saturday and Sunday last.  I really want to get my running mojo back (and my writing mojo, and my house cleaning mojo, and any other number of mojos I have lost, but let us not digress) (and I truly thought “mojo” was a word, but my computer does not).  Where was I?  Ah yes, putting laundry in and getting out to run.

It was the first day this week that felt like May.  At work, we have all been griping about the blankety-blank cold (only we don’t say “blankety-blank”) (in our defense, we work in a factory).  Where was I?  Ah yes, in shorts and short sleeves in the sunshine.  I forgot to put on a headband.  I knew I would not need it to keep my ears warm but thought I might need it to absorb forehead sweat.  Oh well, I would just make the best of it.  I hate to turn around and start a run again.

Right away the run felt terrible.  I’ve had a bit of a sore muscle in one thigh since Sunday, which is to be expected when one has not gone running for a while.  I encouraged myself to persevere.  Just go for 20 minutes, I thought.  Then I thought, my weekend runs had only been 24 minutes.  Maybe 15 minutes would be OK.  No, no, not 15, I argued.  Well, maybe 15, I wheedled.  Just keep going.

So I just kept going.  I admired some tulips and other flowers.  I especially like the wild violets, purple or white.  I even enjoy dandelions, although I am allergic to them.  Personally, I prefer a lawn that is not manicured to purely grass and nothing else.  I like a more natural look.  One nice thing about running around the village (Herkimer, NY, where I live) is that you get to see a wide variety of yards.

I had to really push myself to get the full 20 minutes, but I did it.  Full disclosure:  I also had to push myself to get this blog post written, and I left out a lot of the narration in my head, with which I entertained myself while I ran.  Oh well, there’s no saying my gentle readers would find it as entertaining as I did. However, it kept me going, so I feel pleased with myself.  And I did not entirely wuss out on my blog post.  So I say, Yay, me.  And if anybody wants to shake their head (or their finger or their booty, of course) and say something like, “It takes so little to please some people,” feel free.

 

I’m Running Again!

Saturday Running Commentary is back!  I am running again!  I know, I know, some people never stop, even if they are in a play.  Well, I can’t live up to every standard, even the ones I set for myself.  As it happens, I was not going to start running again today; I was going to content myself with a walk.  However, after a cup of coffee and some solitaire (with an actual deck of cards, OF COURSE), I thought I would give it a try.

It was 46 degrees out, above the temperature I usually go with shorts and short sleeves, but having not been running for at least a couple of weeks (I did not torture myself by figuring out the exact amount), I went with leggings and long sleeves.  I put on a wide headband to cover my ears.  I figured my ears were likely to get cold.

Right away things did not feel so good.  I was prepared for that and hunkered down for a slow, easy run.  Which way should I go?  I saw a woman walking across the road from me on German Street so turned in the opposite direction.  I did not need to see a walker outpacing me.  About a block ahead of me was a man walking two dogs.  I wanted to pet those dogs!  I doubted I would catch up with them.  Then, too, I did not recognize the dogs as any I had petted previously.  You can’t pet just any dog.  I always ask permission first.

As it happened, they crossed Caroline Street before I caught up with them, and I turned down Caroline.  That was OK.  The way my body felt, it I stopped to pet a dog, there was no guarantee I would start up again. But I persevered.  Eventually my legs stopped complaining.  My breathing was not too bad at any point.  That meant I was setting the right pace, I think.  Or maybe it was too slow of a pace, but I prefer not to second guess myself about these things.  Yesterday I got quite out of breath walking up the stairs at work carrying my bag with my lunch, notebook, etc.  I think it is a good idea I started running again.

It occurred to me that one reason the run was not completely horrible was that I have been successful at taking off a few pounds.  Not as many pounds as I want to take off, of course, but I have been doing better lately than I have in previous months.  Let’s hear it for salad! Let’s do a little better in laying off the treats!

I ended up running 24 minutes and walking 11 for my cool-down.  I really like my cool-down walk.  For one reason, it feels AWESOME to walk after running, and I drink water, which tastes SO good.  Additionally, I feel it enhances my progress toward my weight-loss goals.  I figure after running, my metabolism is all kicked up, so that walk burns more calories than it otherwise would.  If you are an expert at these things (or think you are, because you read a Facebook meme), and feel this is not the case, kindly do not disillusion me.

So I have made a blog post Saturday morning.  If I make another one before the end of the day, I will be back to one blog post behind.  Hey, that could happen.  After a good run, I feel I can do a lot of things!

 

Finally a Mid-Week Run!

How about a Running Commentary post instead of me whining about how tired I am and I can’t think of anything to write anyway?  If it doesn’t work out, we can always call it a Wuss-out Wednesday.  I’m flexible like that.

I surprised myself by going on the run.  I had spent the day trying to psyche myself into it, mostly to have something to make a blog post about. Naturally I was tired at the end of the day, and confirmed in my decision NOT to run the Boilermaker 15K.  So it didn’t MATTER if I didn’t run, did it?  Well, I suppose it never matters to anybody except me.  At any rate, when I went upstairs to take a shower, I realized I did NOT feel like taking a shower.  For some reason, running felt like less trouble, so I sought out a couple sports bras and got ready to go.

It was sunny with clouds out, cool air, especially when a breeze blew.  Still, it didn’t feel too bad in leggings and long sleeves.  I could rock this.  I was glad I had gotten myself out the door.

And then I was sorry, because my body did NOT feel like running.  Well, what a surprise, after a full day at work.  I have not been running after work in a while.  I need to get back into doing it on a regular basis.  I reminded myself that I only require myself to do 20 minutes on these mid-week runs.  Then I remembered that on my weekend runs, the run only started to feel really good after 20 minutes.  What’s a slacker to do?  Just keep going, I thought.  However far you go, you go.

As I ran, I noticed that other yards were not covered with crappy brown, flat, old leaves, like mine is.  It snowed before I finished raking, although I did make attempts last fall.  Had these folks been more ambitious last fall or this spring?  We did have a lovely weekend, during which I was too busy with a murder mystery and rehearsal to rake.  I admired a few Easter decorations and wondered in a vague sort of way when I might have time and ambition to do something.  Not in time for Easter, probably.  Still, I could put some fake flowers in the box on my front porch (it gets too much sun for the real thing).  I passed one house who had a nice display of those.

I only passed one dog, which I asked to pet.  The guy walking her told me the dog was scared of people, which she demonstrated when I put my hand out for her to sniff. She did give me a quick lick, so I contented myself with that and ran on.

A couple was sitting on their front porch, something I am looking forward to doing.

“I’m going inside to take a nap!” the man told me.  “You’re making me tired!”

“As soon as I get home, I’m taking a nap,” I assured him.  In fact, I have not napped yet, but I foresee an early bedtime.

I ended up running 22 minutes.  I can’t say things felt a whole lot better as I ran, but I persevered.  The cool-down walk felt wonderful as usual.  The chocolate milk recovery beverage was even better.  Yes, that is one reason I run: the promise of chocolate milk afterwards.

As usual with Running Commentaries, this has been my longest blog post in a while.  Has it entertained?  I hope so.  Tomorrow will be another hasty pre-rehearsal post so no promises.  But I hope you are having a lovely mid-week.

PS.  I did take a shower.  I knew some of you were concerned when I said earlier that I didn’t feel like it.

 

One Must Begin Again

I read somewhere that wintertime running is about maintenance, not necessarily improvement.  I told myself this as I finished a fairly short run this morning.  “It’s about maintenance,” I thought.  Then I thought, “My runs are about blog posts, weight-loss goals, health, and my own entertainment, not necessarily in that order.”  I had thought  doing a Sunday Running Commentary as I set out on my run.  I last ran a week ago and quite frankly did not feel like running today, but, as I said to Steven as I went out the door, “One must begin again.”  Then I thought, “That would be a good title for a blog post.”  So here we are.

We had a couple of days of spring-like weather last week, but I, perhaps foolishly, did not run then.  For one reason, my body was in its final throes of rebellion against 10-hour days.  I know, other people work longer days at more difficult jobs, and they don’t even complain.  All I can say is, that is them, this is me.  I was dead tired all week and not up to running through all the puddles which were the inevitable result of the warmer temperatures.  Today was cold, and it had been snowing.  Snow offers traction, so I thought.

Turns out I shouldn’t think so much.  I tried to run on the sidewalk and soon found there was a LOT of ice under the snow.  After my trailing foot zooped out from underneath me for the third time (luckily my weight was already established on my leading foot at the time), I went into the road, which was a little better.  And a little worse, because of traffic.  Sunday mornings are usually pretty tame traffic-wise, but I had waited till after eleven to run, hoping for a warmer temperature.  Well, the cars would just have to watch out for me; I was staying where I was.

I did not spend much time on German Street, which is one of the busier streets, but soon turned down Margaret. That was quieter, which was good, because it was also pretty snow-covered. I went for the barest part of the road and did now worry too much about staying close to the curb, except when I saw or heard a car coming.  It did not feel too bad, running along at my usual shuffling pace.  The air was cold, but you’ll have that.

My deal with myself was that I only had to run 20 minutes.  I can worry about building up when the weather is better.  If I worry about it at all. I mean, why should I worry?  Worry doesn’t burn calories or build muscle mass.  It is a quite useless activity.  I ran, I wrote a blog post.  Let’s leave it at that.  Happy Sunday, folks.

 

Second Guessing my First Run of 2019

It is important to me that Saturday Running Commentary be a thing again, even if I neglect to make my post shortly after my run, which I feel is the best way to do it (that’s not a run-on sentence) (although I suppose a run-on sentence may be appropriate for a Running Commentary  post).  Anyways, I ran this morning and I am going to try to comment about it even hours after the fact.

It is my first run of 2019. I felt too tired after my New Year’s Eve celebrations (although they were tame by many standards) (then again, why should I worry about anybody else’s standards?) on Jan. 1.  Jan. 2, 3 and 4 I was working ten-hour days and TIRED, and I believe my blog posts reflect that.  I almost did not run today.  I considered going to the Mohawk YMCA and doing 30 minutes on the elliptical, I thought about taking a long walk and saying, “good enough.”  Then I said what the hell, got into running clothes and went.

It was in the low 30’s.  Weather on the One’s on Spectrum News said some freezing was still going on, so I was a bit nervous, but I thought it was not precipitating.  True, the roads looked wet… sometimes it is best not to think too long about these things but just to get out and start running.  So I did.

I did not head toward German Street, as is my usual practice, because it was close to eight and I saw a number of cars going by and I intended to the run in the road.  A mere glance at the sidewalk confirmed me in my intention.  As I ran down Bellinger Street, I saw a runner coming towards me running on the sidewalk and felt silly.  Then I thought I was ridiculous.  Normally I run on the sidewalk and feel self-conscious seeing other runners on the road.  Do I really think these other runners are judging me?  And why should I care if they do?  I choose to run on the sidewalk.  Or, like today, on the road. Similarly, other runners can make their choices.  Oh well, at least these thoughts keep me occupied while running.

The roads were not awful, but I did not completely trust them.  I felt there could be ice, and sometimes I knew there was ice.  A couple of times I dared to go up on the sidewalk, but I did not stay there, because I definitely encountered ice eventually.  But I kept running.  I was happy to see some people’s Christmas decorations still up.  Traditionally, decorations are supposed to stay up till Jan. 6, Twelfth Night.  I always have a hard time letting go of the holiday.

My intention was not to run too long, since I had taken four days off and only gone for a long walk the day before that (go ahead and judge me, remember I am not supposed to care who does).  As I ran back towards my house, keeping an eye on my watch and wondering how long over 20 minutes I could or should do, my legs were saying, “We cool. We got this.”  I was surprised.  Are these the same legs, I asked myself, that for three days at week were whining, “We’re tired!  We’re stiff!  We ache! Sit down!”  What the hell, legs?  But there is no point in trying to figure these things out; I am not clever enough to understand them.

I reasoned that if I ran 20 minutes, with my 10 minute cool-down walk it would be 30 minutes, the length of time I would have spent on the elliptical at the Y.  I ended up running for 23 minutes, so  I thought that was pretty good.  I was delighted with myself for running at all.  Would 2019 be the year I did not stop running in the winter but kept up running full time till next spring and summer?  Would I never again have to write “Begin again” in my running journal?  Then I thought, it is Jan. 5 and this is my first run of 2019, is that bad?  And here I am second-guessing myself again.  What the hell, me?

Next I am going to start second-guessing this blog post.  Is it really a Running Commentary?  Is it any good as a blog post?  As I have observed before, if dithering burned calories, I would have no problem meeting my weight-loss goals.