Mohawk Valley Girl

Exercise is a potent but woefully underused anti-depressant.  It has an excellent effect on a post-Christmas letdown as well.  Today I try for a return of Saturday Running Commentary, even though my run was some hours ago.  I think I can remember parts of it.

I have been running at least somewhat since the Reindeer Run 5K.  Then the week before Christmas, I returned to the YMCA in Mohawk, NY.  I don’t know if I mentioned when I was going there before (OF COURSE I am too lazy to go back and check), but last winter I was going a few times a week, doing a little weight training and spending some time on the elliptical.  I have only been a few times recently and have only done the elliptical so far.  I hope to get to the weights and machines in January.  Anyways, my real love is to run outdoors.

It was raining in the night and although it got unseasonably warm yesterday, I knew it had cooled off overnight.  That could mean ice.  Still, it was above freezing by 7:30.  I decided to take a chance.

It felt warm!  Relatively speaking.  I ran in the road, noting copious icy patches on the sidewalk.  A runner in a bright orange jacket turned off German onto my street.  I was ready to say, “Good morning,” but he beat me to it.  I happily returned the greeting.  As I reached German, a lady was turning onto Bellinger.  It was my friend, whom I have seen several times running on weekend mornings.  We wished each other a Happy New Year.

“Look at us! Running in December!” she added.

“It’s awesome! I love it!” I called after her.

I headed toward the hill by Valley Health, since I have not been doing as much outdoor running as earlier in the year.  Still, I have been doing 30 minutes on the elliptical.  I thought I could run 30 minutes.  But even if I only did 20 minutes, my 10-minute cool-down walk would give me 30 minutes of exercise.  This would be great.

And it was pretty great.  I ran around in the residential area behind Valley Health.  I only saw one dog and his person, far ahead of me.  I did not think I could catch them so did not try.  For one reason, they were going up a big hill and I was not pushing myself too hard.  I did keep going for 30 minutes, though, so I’ll call it a win.

I got to pet one nice dog on my cool-down walk.  I was walking down Prospect when a young man and a lovely white dog were walking across Church Street.

“Good morning!” I called.  “That’s a beautiful dog!”  The dog immediately changed direction to walk toward me.  “Can I pet him, her?”

The young man graciously gave me permission.  “I’ve had her a year and a half,” he said.  “Every time she hears ‘beautiful’ or ‘pretty,’ she heads right over.”

“She says, ‘I know you’re talking about me,’ ” I said.  I wished him a pleasant day and we went our separate ways.

As usual when I get to the end of my blog post, I remember at least four or five things I noticed on my run that might have been fun to mention.  Then again, I am over 500 words.  Perhaps you have better things to do than to read my blog post.  So I say thank you for tuning in, and I hope to see you again on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.