Category Archives: running commentary

Running to be Ready

Posted on June 9, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

It was a little faster than a Tuesday Trudge but not fast enough for a Tuesday Trot, but this is my Running Commentary Post. I often say that what I do is called running only by the most generous definition of the term.

I was quite determined to run today, despite the heat and humidity, because I am gearing up for the Pride Stride 5K in Little Falls this Saturday, June 12. It is part of the Little Falls Pride event hosted by Little Falls Community Outreach. I do not expect to run very fast, but I expect to have fun. And it is a cause I like to support.

Knowing I will not run very fast led the devil on one shoulder to say things like, “It doesn’t really matter if you run or not. Why torture yourself in this heat? It probably won’t even help.” I ignored such ignoble thoughts.

The humidity was pretty horrible. It was like trying to run through bath water. Or maybe dirty dish water. Breathing was not much fun. Never mind. Persevere. I veered a little way into a lawn to sniff some lilacs. That was nice. Some lilac bushes are over, but these two bushes were nice.

On my drive home from work, I had noted some nice bushes of light pink peonies. I planned to run by those and take a sniff. I did not remember exactly where they were, so it was a nice surprise when I saw them.

I kept glancing at my Garmin. It tells me what rate I am currently running, which leads to some disappointment. For example, I vary from a 15-minute mile to bursts as fast as a 10-minute mile (I know, not very fast in the ultimate scheme of things). So it is an average. So my Garmin may say I am running at a 12:20 pace, but 13 minutes have passed and I still haven’t gone a mile!

However, I try not to worry about how fast I go. I usually try to run for a certain length of time, not a specific distance. Today I ended up running for 24 minutes, 1.8 miles. In addition to smelling lilacs and peonies, I petted one nice dog. I was running through Meyer’s Park and saw a dog I had petted before.

“There’s that nice dog that likes to be petted!” I said, sprinting across the grass. The dog looked happy to see me and sat sweetly while I petted her and called her a good dog. I also greeted her person and wished him a nice day, to which he responded in kind.

I hope to run at least one more time before the 5K. For more information on Little Falls Pride, you can visit the Facebook event or Little Falls Community Outreach page.

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I Think Thunk is a Word

Posted on May 28, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to make a Running Commentary Post and call it The Thursday Thunk. I was pretty sure that would describe my run pretty accurately. I was right. It is good to be gainfully employed, but it tends to put a damper on my evening activities. I am sure many of you have similar issues.

It was a nice day, not too humid, not too hot, sunny, pleasant. After two days of not running and rain predicted for tomorrow (although we all know how that goes) (however, in this case, my bunions agree) (but I digress), I knew it would be a good idea to get myself out there. I got into running gear, threw a load of laundry in the washer (my favorite multi-task) and set out.

And thunk I did. Oh was I slow! Did I ever shuffle! But I went, and I kept going. I had thought to go on a different route than what I ran Monday, but I also wanted to cross as few busy streets as possible. Additionally, I prefer to stay left side facing traffic, even on the sidewalk. It makes it easier if I do want to detour onto the road.

I saw a few things of note: a metal sculpture of a frog on a bicycle, various colored irises (my own have not bloomed yet, but I have hopes), a few people working on home improvements. I did not pet any dogs, alas, although I greeted a few pedestrians.

It was not easy, but I made my run last 20 minutes, then took a ten minute cool-down walk. With my longer weekend runs, I think I will be in OK shape for the Pride Stride 5K in Little Falls, NY June 12. It is part of a whole event. I should write a whole blog post about that (preview of coming attractions).

In the meantime, I am over 300 words. Not bad for a Thunky Thursday.

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Not Too Much Thunk

Posted on May 13, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a short run after work. I am having some personal problems which are not worth mentioning here except that I have made the determination to get more exercise, for the mood-improving effects. Exercise is a potent and often under-utilized anti-depressant (that was my little bit of health advice for the day).

It was a beautiful afternoon, warm and sunny. I did not even leave a sweatshirt on the front porch for my cool-down walk. I did not plan a long run. Fifteen minutes would be acceptable, I told myself. Sometimes I treat myself gently.

Right away, my body did not feel happy. Thunk, thunk, thunk, down the sidewalk I went. Fifteen minutes, just fifteen minutes, I kept repeating in my head,

I encountered a number of pedestrians. I would move out into the road before I reached them, because I was not wearing a mask and I was huffing and puffing. We usually greeted each other in a friendly fashion. I love those small human connections. I try to have a smile for everyone.

My body felt better about thing as I went. That usually happens at some point in the run. Sometimes I don’t notice the exact moment when it happens; I just suddenly realize I feel OK. I did not exactly reach the I Can Rock This Stage, but I did not spend the whole run wondering what the hell I was thinking.

I ran for 20 minutes and felt fairly pleased with myself. My cool-down walk felt good, and my chocolate milk recovery beverage when I got back home was delicious.

There is a 5K in Little Falls in June I am thinking I will register for. That will give me another goal to work for. It will probably get me a couple more blog posts as well. I’ll keep you posted.

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I Ran In the Wind, Not Like the Wind

Posted on April 23, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is the thing about running on a windy day: no matter which way I turn, the wind is never at my back. It is kind of a metaphor for life, but let us not wax philosophical. My purpose right now is to make a Running Commentary Post.

I had not gone running since Sunday. I usually let myself off the hook on Monday, I was auguring my toilet on Tuesday, and I have no excuse for Wednesday. I had not planned on running today. Then when I was driving home and saw it was not raining, I thought maybe I ought to. This, of course, is my usual cue to come up with all kinds of good reason not to.

After pretty much deciding not to, I got dressed in running gear and went. It was colder than I had thought, so in addition to leggings and long sleeves, I put on a hat. As I started out, I realized the wind was the real culprit. No matter. Once I get those sports bras on, I’m going.

And it was rough going. My body did not want to move. Even without the wind dead against me (and sometimes it was at an angle), I was moving slowly. I felt sluggish and thunky (yes, thunky, not thinly, autocorrect, sheesh!). But that is to be expected. The important thing is to do it.

It did get a little easier. At least it got a little less onerous. One thing I have learned is how to persevere. I ran for just over 20 minutes, which I felt was OK for a mid-week run. I saw some lovely daffodils in various yards. I petted one sweet dog on my cool-down walk.

The beauty part is, here is a Thursday blog post ON Thursday and NOT whining about how I can’t make a blog post. OK, maybe I whined a little about the run. Judge me if you feel you must.

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Short Run, Tired Post

Posted on April 14, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

My plan was to go for a run so I could make a Running Commentary Post. I accomplished the first part of my plan. Can I manage the second?

My back was feeling pretty sore at work, and my attitude was not in very good shape either. I wondered about taking a walk instead, possibly with my Tablet to get more spring pictures. For one reason, it might improve my disposition. However, I opted for the run.

I put in a load of laundry, my favorite multi-task. Really my only multi-task, since most of the time I can barely task. It was a beautiful warm, sunny day. No question I could run in shorts and short sleeves. This would be great!

It was not great. My body did not want to run. I did my usual trick of telling myself I only had to keep it up for a short time. Twenty minutes, I thought. Fifteen in a pinch. One mile. At the rate I was running, I figured a mile would take me fifteen minutes.

As it happened, I did a mile in barely under 14 minutes. I continued to run till I reached 20 minutes. It never got fun, but it always feels somewhat good to persevere.

I’m afraid I have not persevered to the extent of writing a good blog post. You should hear some of the narration in my head as I go! Unfortunately I cannot remember any if it now. Of course, with that being the case, we’ll never know if it was really good narration. It could have been utter nonsense and I am flattering myself. I shall not waste any energy wondering.

In the meantime, I am over 250 words. I call that more than respectable for a Tired Tuesday Post. I hope to see you all again on Wuss-out Wednesday.

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Mid-Week Run, Tired Post

Posted on April 1, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought it was supposed to be raining with dropping temperatures this afternoon. When I left work (at my new job, by the way), it had rained but was not doing so currently. Additionally, it was warm. It felt almost summery.

Earlier in the day, I had repented not running Monday and Tuesday. By the time I got home, I realized I might have a chance to redeem myself. It was cloudy and threatening, but MAYBE I could get a run in. And I could write a blog post about it, instead of having a Wuss-out Wednesday!

I happily dressed in shorts and short sleeves. I put a sweatshirt on the porch for my cool-down walk but was not sure I needed it. I set out with high hopes.

For the first few blocks, it was not at all bad. I wasn’t too tired to run! This was great! I turned left onto German Street, keeping on the sidewalk, because afternoon traffic in Herkimer can be heavy.

A mere seven or so minutes into the run (I looked at my Garmin but do not remember the exact time), I felt tired. Just persevere, I told myself. I am up to 45 minutes on my weekend runs. I certainly did not have to go that far today. Still, 15 minutes might be a trifle paltry.

I settled on half of my longest time. 22 1/2 minutes. I ended up going just over 23. It did not start to rain. Score! I petted one nice dog along the way. I felt quite pleased with myself.

Right now I feel more tired than pleased. I’m not sure it was all that great of a run, and as usual, I question the quality of my blog post. However, also as usual, I trust the process. I ran. I posted. Happy Wednesday, everyone!

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I Thunked, But I Ran

Posted on March 24, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would make a Running Commentary Post in lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday. For one reason, I was determined to run. All last week I came home feeling too tired and frustrated, mostly frustrated. Intellectually, I knew if I ran I would feel better. Physically, I could not accept the knowledge.

So I ran. Do I feel better than if I had not? I suppose I do.

The run did not start out feeling good. Oh what a difference eight hours of work make! I thunked along like the overweight middle-aged lump that I am. My autocorrect does not think “thunked” is a word, but there I must differ.

At least it was a beautiful warm day. That caused a few problems, as I had to avoid pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. I tried to stay mindful of social distancing.

One other runner passed me, toward the end of my run. I could hear footsteps approaching me from behind, moving a lot faster than I was. This young kid passed me, loping along like a gazelle. He turned to give me a friendly grin and wave as he passed, which I was happy to return.

I did not run very far, and I never run very fast. But I was glad I ran. I’m only sorry that this is not much of a blog post. As I run, I narrate in my head. It usually sounds pretty good to me at the time, but when I get to the Tablet and start posting, I can’t quite make the translation.

No matter. I ran, I posted (or rather, I will have posted, for the more didactic among you) (you know who you are). Sometimes we must be content with the process.

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Sunday Run

Posted on March 15, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a run this morning — one of my few useful acts of the day — so I thought I might attempt a Running Commentary Post in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday. Full disclosure: I pretty much feel like swooning, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead, onto a handy chaise lounge. Note to self: obtain a chaise lounge for just such an emergency.

Where was I? Ah yes, about to write about my run. The lovely spring-like weather did not last. However, I am no stranger to running in the cold. I got ready and off I went.

Saturday when I ran, I headed toward Valley Health and ran that hill. Today I turned towards Main Street. Mind you, I was disinclined to run either hills or for very long. But I convinced myself to just go.

I made it up part of the Main Street hill just beyond the Road Closed sign. I have mentioned before how I believe these signs refer to vehicular traffic and not middle-aged ladies shuffling along with various amounts of huffing and puffing.

Soon I was heading back down Steuben Road and stuck to the relatively flat village roads for the rest of the run.

My only question was how long the run was going to be. Saturday’s run was 37 minutes. On Saturday I could not at first remember if I had gone 30 or 33 minutes last week. Note to self: find Running Journal and get back to writing in it. Then I remembered I had gone 34, slightly more than the recommended 10 percent increase. Hence, 37 minutes on Saturday.

After some minutes of wondering, it was soon clear I would do 37 minutes again today. I spent a lot of the run looking at my Garmin and counting how many minutes were left. I make bargains with myself of how long I will wait before looking, then I look anyways.

In other words, it was not the best, most entertaining run. Nor, I fear, is this the most entertaining blog post. I suppose you’ll have that. On the other hand, it is Sunday night. Monday looms menacingly. I hope will not be too monstrous.

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I Go Running

Posted on March 10, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went running today, and I was kind of proud of myself, because I have been having a hard time getting back into weekday runs. It was not a great run, weekday runs rarely are, but it was a good run. I thought in lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday Post, I would attempt a Running Commentary.

I walked to work yesterday and today. I try to do that most of the time, so that the days I don’t run, at least I get some exercise. Monday was cold, but today felt like spring. Actually, today the walk home kind of annoyed me, because the jacket that felt good in the a.m. was way to warm for the p.m. I may have to start shivering in the a.m.

I wore shorts and short sleeves, which I found pretty awesome. I ran on a few sidewalks, where they were mostly bare and dry. I did not run very fast. I did not run very far, although I went longer than the 20 minutes I require of myself on these Just-To-Keep-My-Feet-In Runs.

I passed a few pedestrians. I asked a man pulling a wagon and a woman pushing a stroller for a ride. They laughed but turned me down. I complimented a lady on her cute little dog. I would love to get another dog, but I don’t think I will be able to.

I just noticed I began every paragraph in this post with “I.” How egotistical of me. Then again, this is a personal blog. I could go back and edit, but Tired Tuesday is starting to kick in. I will try to keep my ego in check for Wuss-Out Wednesday. As always, I hope you’ll tune in.

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Some Spring in my Step

Posted on February 25, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

It was a glorious day that felt like spring. Of course, I spent most it inside, wondering if the sun was living up to its promise, as it so rarely does this time of year. However, when the work day ended and I stepped outside, I was elated. It was warm! It felt good! I was totally going to go running!

Many days when I have worked all day, I talk myself right out of it, and Wednesday seemed for a moment to be going that way. I’m tired! I spent all day running around! The snowbanks are still too high; sidewalks are way too messy! Oh hell, no. Those arguments were not going to work.

I did heed the argument about the sidewalks and ran in the road. I wore my road guard vest, because safety first. Additionally, I can put tissues or a handkerchief in the zipper pocket. My sinuses are ever a problem. Of course I wore leggings and long sleeves, but I opted for a knitted headband instead of a hat, and I did not wear gloves. I was so happy to step outside and not feel freezingly cold. This was going to be great!

And it was, kind of. I have not been running after a day’s work in a while. It certainly feels different from a run on a weekend morning. My legs were soon complaining. I ignored them. I also seemed to be running very slowly. I declined to worry about it.

The real problem was all the snow. The snowbanks encroached on the road, and the puddles from their melting made it even worse. I did not encounter much ice, though, so that was good. I tried to stay on less busy streets, but I still encountered some traffic. I made sure to give the thank-you wave to everybody who slowed down and/or moved over.

I had been thinking that this was the sort of day when, back in my misspent youth, I might have been out on a porch with friends and beer. Of course it was not really warm enough for such activities, but we never let that stop us. I saw several people out running or walking. Then, closer to home, I saw a few people on a porch, their kids playing in the snow, and a fellow I know standing in the driveway with what looked like a beer in is hand. Awesome!

“It’s a great day for a porch party!” I yelled.

“It’s a great day for a run!” the guy on the porch said.

“It sure is!”

And it sure was, snow and puddles notwithstanding. I felt so happy I had run, even it was not too far and not too fast. As I type this, winter has naturally returned to the Mohawk Valley. However, I cling to the promise of yesterday. Spring is coming! Come on, Spring!

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