Tag Archives: blogging

Another Pre-Boilermaker Run

Posted on July 7, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I melted again today, although with no discernible difference in my waistline.  However, I did manage to go for a short run and will now attempt a Running Commentary Post.

I had been taking myself all day that it would be a good idea to run, but I was naturally reluctant to do so once I got home.  In my defense, heat and humidity!  I spent the greater portion of the day feeling sweat pour down my body.  Ugh.  But the Boilermaker 15K is a mere three days away.  I must maintain.

First I called my Mom and Dad.  Mom said perhaps I should not run in this weather.  Dad thought I might try it and switch to walking if it was too much.  Since I only contemplated a short run, I decided to try.

And now I will pause to bring up something that always bothers me:  when you say you can’t do something and somebody smugly replies, “Well, not with that attitude.”  I have probably alluded to this before, but I will repeat it.  Almost every failure I have had, and there have been many, some epic, I have gone into with great confidence.  On the other hand, many times I have thought, I probably can’t do this but let me just try.  And I do it, surprising myself as well as my detractors.

It should come as no surprise that I succeeded in my attempt to run today.  I thought, one mile, fifteen minutes, slow pace.  My pace was faster than a 15-minute mile although I made no effort at speed.  As I went, I thought 20 minutes might be good.  Oh well, maybe 17.

I made it for 20 minutes 31 seconds, 1.49 miles.  I suppose I could have made it a full two and a half miles, but I felt pretty pleased with what I did.

Now I have to start worrying about the myriad practical details involved in running the Boilermaker:  getting my packet from the Runner’s Expo, which involves finding said Expo; putting on the right clothes the morning of, eating the proper breakfast, getting to the starting line after deciding the best time to get to the starting line, finding a parking space; and through it all hydrating, hydrating, hydrating.  I haven’t even mentioned getting to bed at a good time, getting to sleep, and waking up on time.  I think there are probably a few things I have forgotten I need to do.  I am not even sure I remember how many days there are between Thursday and Sunday.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, running commentary and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Boiling or Boilermaker?

Posted on July 6, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Wuss-out Wednesday follows Tired Tuesday, we all know that.  If you didn’t know, you do now.  I’m going to blame the weather.

I think I am!

I took a walk this morning but did not run after work.  I ran yesterday for three miles, thinking it would be my last long run before the Boilermaker 15K.  I hope to walk every day and have one or two short runs in the next three days.  Only three day?  Yikes!

Now is about the time I ask myself why I signed up for this silly race anyways. I should perhaps mention that this has happened to me every time I have run the Boilermaker (can’t remember how many times that is;  I would have to count my Boilermaker glasses).  This year, of course, everything is different.

It seems I had some good reasons when I signed up.  I do not currently remember them.   I registered pretty much the minute registration opened.  A short time later the palliative care nurse called me and said we had to talk.  I know what palliative care is (my sisters had to look it up).  Thus started a very bad time in my life.

So this year my running the 15K feels all tied up in my grief and depression over my husband’s death.  I don’t know that I think something magical is going to happen as I cross the finish line.  I think mostly I feel grateful that the race gave me motivation to keep running.  Exercise has helped me a lot.

I guess I have not entirely wussed out today, as I see I am over 250 words.  Perhaps tomorrow I will take one of those shorter runs I mentioned and attempt a Running Commentary Post.  It is All Boilermaker All The Time Week after all.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Tired But Patriotic, I Hope

Posted on July 5, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tired Tuesday on the Fourth of July.

That is all that comes to my mind to type in.  I did not want to make another late post so took my Tablet up to bed with me, trusting that words would follow.  And here I am, one finger typing because I neglected to bring up a stylus and am too lazy to go back downstairs and get one.

I did mention yesterday that I have not given up whining.

That year I had not given up wine.

Here is a picture from July 2021, of the wine I was bringing to a celebration with my friends Phyllis and Jim.  See?  Red, white, and blue.  I can get seasonal on occasion.  Earlier today I ate red, white, and blue with strawberries, blueberries, and Cool Whip.  Yum!

My neighbors seem to be getting into the holiday spirit with firecrackers.  They did so last night as well (at least, it may have been different neighbors; I did not investigate the matter).  They did not keep it up all night, so that was all right.

Brewer, patriot…

I just looked through all the July pictures in my Media Library, and this was the only other patriotic picture I could find.  I had neglected to purchase any Sam Adams beer for the holiday so made do with iced coffee in a Sam Adams glass.  I had a tradition of drinking Sam Adams beer on the Fourth of July for a number of years.  That was before I became such a wine aficionado (I always thought that word should have two f’s you know, like affection).

Ooh, look, I am over 250 words!  Not bad for a Tired Tuesday Post.  Happy Independence Day, everyone!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Ran Myself Ragged, But Didn’t Run

Posted on July 4, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I felt so tired from my after-work gyrations and reflecting that I had today (July 4) off, I lazily put away my Tablet and went to bed.  After all, I continued to justify to myself, I was unlikely to wake up with a headache, since I am going wine-less (but not whine-less) till after the Boilermaker 15K.  As it happens, not all headaches are due to wine.  However, it is not a bad one, and I expect it will go away as the morning progresses.

Where was I?  Ah yes, a late Monstrous Monday Post.  First, perhaps, a word or two about the previously mentioned gyrations.

“No! Monsters first!”

Maybe one monster.

I got home and immediately got on the phone to take care of a couple of things I had neglected.  Never mind what.   It’s not that interesting, and I am quite disinclined to emphasize the extent to which I do not have my act together.  I ran one errand, still dirty from work (for which you are welcome to judge me), and returned home to realize it had stopped raining long ago enough to make lawn mowing eligible.

Me hacking away at the overgrowth.

Regular readers may recall that I use a non-power mower.  It makes for a pretty good work out.  Since I had walked in the morning but not run that afternoon, I praised myself for the exertion (hey, I have to keep myself going anyway I can).  A soapy shower felt good after that.

My stomach, urging me to the grocery store.

I sat down for a while, but my body was soon reminding me I had not eaten.  One must stay nourished, I suppose.  I dragged myself to the grocery store.  As it happened, it was a great time to go.  The crowd had already gotten their Fourth of July supplies and left.  I got everything my list plus a couple of treats, which I felt I had earned.

“Did somebody say treats?”

Now I have made my Monday blog post, I can get on with my Tuesday gyrations.  Once again, thank you for tuning in.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Monstrous Monday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

More than Half a Boilermaker

Posted on July 3, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been dreadfully tired all day.  After I made my late Saturday blog post, I went for a long run.  The Utica Boilermaker 15K is one week from today.   Yikes!  I figured this would be my last really long run before that, so I tried to get ambitious about it.  Last Sunday I ran just over an hour, 4.77 miles, which I calculated to be half of 9.3 miles, that is 15K.  I just pulled out the calculator app on my Tablet and found I could have stopped at 4.65.  Mental math while running is not my strong suit, although I often use it to distract myself.

Wow, what a long first paragraph.  I guess I am doing everything too long today.

As usual, I entered.

This was the only picture I could find of a place I ran this morning.  I went into the residential area behind Valley Health Services and ran up the longest uphill loop.  I went up a couple of shorter hills as well.  My idea was to run for five miles, and I made it.

Along the way I petted two nice dogs and refilled my water bottle at the spring.  Those were times I actually stopped but not for an appreciable amount of time.  I felt at a couple of points that I wanted to stop running and walk, but I pushed through.  I feel reasonably ready for the Boilermaker but I confess not eager.  Blame that on the Sunday Afternoon Blues.

I question my run.

This is a photo from October 2020.  I was doing a challenge of 37 minutes of exercise for 37 days to raise awareness of diabetes.  I posted a selfie of Facebook after each session.  You can see why I rarely take selfies.  I share it today, because this is probably about how I looked after today’s run.  I was even wearing the same glasses.  I just wanted to include another picture in the post.

I suppose I have made better Running Commentary Posts, but we all know some blog posts are better than others.  I will try to do better as the week wears on, but with All Boilermaker All The Time, no promises.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, running commentary and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Music, Wine, and Scenery, Yes!

Posted on July 2, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is another late Saturday blog post, but at least it is prior to whatever time I was posting last Sunday (don’t remember, but it was later than this).  I had a wonderful time yesterday, but it was such a lot of car time to get to it!  Worth every mile, but it wore me out.

Not the best lighting, but you can read it, I think.

My parents, sister Cheryl, and I went to Geneva, NY, to the Inspire Moore Winery, to hear Big Blue House.  What a great band!  What a beautiful setting!

My pictures of the band didn’t come out so great, either.

When we arrived, a guest artist had joined them for a couple of numbers.  I stupidly did not write down his name, but I loved his harmonica and vocals.

At one point, a guy in the band reminded us that the open space in front of the band was there for a reason.  He didn’t have to tell me twice!  I got up and started dancing.  If Steven had been there, he would have gotten up, too, so I guess I was dancing for the both of us.  I was soon joined by three other ladies, and we all four loved it.

After they sat down, another song I couldn’t resist played and I was dancing by myself again.  An older man started crossing the area, and I danced around him, thanking him for dancing with me.  He said he was looking for his wife and did not bust a move, but I think he was amused.  Later I saw him slow dancing with his wife.  When they finished, I went over and said, “Sure, you wouldn’t dance with me!”  We had a nice conversation.

Just to share another picture of the winery.

I had other conversations with other people, including a couple cousins and my sister Vicki, who had driven up from Pennsylvania with her husband.  I also tasted some wine and enjoyed a glass of dry Rose (how embarrassing that I do not know how to put the accent on the e).

Lots of gorgeous scenery.

The afternoon came to an abrupt end with a loud rumble of thunder.  The musicians quickly unplugged their instruments.  The downpour started almost immediately.   One aspect of my personality which I particularly enjoy is that I laugh at bad weather.  When I am getting rained or snowed on, I find myself laughing.  I laughed as Dad and I walked to the car.  We drove back to pick up Cheryl and Mom,

I was happy to finally make it back to Herkimer, although I felt too tired to articulate a blog post.  However, I think I did OK with it this morning.  Or do I flatter myself?

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, music, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Whine Today, Wine Tomorrow

Posted on July 1, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not know why I am so tired.  I did not go running after work, because I was concerned about air quality issues.  I also did not run errands as I had intended to do nor did I do the laundry and other household chores.  I feel even more tired after listing the things I was supposed to do.

So I am thinking this is not merely a Lame Post Friday post, I am having a Lame Friday!

Have a bloody good day!

I thought I would throw in a picture before I got too bogged down.  A little vampire always brightens my day.

Tomorrow I am getting together with family at a winery for good music and good times.  I have nothing to wear (see previous paragraph about not doing laundry), the wrong gel for my hair, and no gas in my car.  These are problems which can be solved in the morning, I hope.

Perhaps this could form part of tomorrow’s ensemble.

Now I am just looking for random pictures to fill up the post.

Who, me? Drink wine?

Perhaps I am still tired as a result of yesterday’s migraine.  These things can take a toll on a woman my age (by the way, I have been referring to myself as “a woman my age” since my mid-30s).

In the meantime, I have made it to over 200 words with this nonsense.  I hope you are all having a delightful Friday, and thank you for tuning in.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Maybe The Blog Post Should Have Stayed Absent

Posted on June 30, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday was a true Blogger’s Sick Day.  I even called in sick to work, which I rarely do.  It was a migraine.  You know, one of those headaches where the only thing you can do is Have a Headache. It makes for a long, singularly unproductive day.

Now it is Friday morning, I am sipping coffee, and feeling tremuluosly happy NOT to have a headache.  Who knew the absence of something could feel so good?  Oh wait, I knew it, from previous migraine-free days.

Steve had a Get Out of Jail Free Card.

I threw in a picture to pep things up.  Here is my late husband Steven outside the 1834 Jail on Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners,  which regular readers know is one of my favorite places to walk or run by.

One of my all-time favorite couples.

Since I am apparently doing a Throwback Thursday Post,  here is a shot from July 2017 of our friends Jim and Phyllis at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern.  Phyllis sadly passed away in 2021.  I will never be done missing her, either.  One must treasure the memories.

And here’s all four of us.

What a weird post this is turning into.  I begin being happy my headache is gone and move on to being sad Steve and Phyllis are gone. There is a lesson or profound point in there somewhere, but I have had insufficient coffee to articulate it.  I guess I’ll bill this as a Non-Sequitur Thursday Post and drive on.  I hope to see you all later when I attempt a Lame Post Friday post.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Wednesday Once Again

Posted on June 29, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was pretty sure I would go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food tonight, but I pretended to myself that I was debating.  At last I agreed with myself that if I did the dishes I could go to Fratello’s as a reward.  Judge me if you choose for neglecting the dishes (never mind how long it has been);  I have to take my motivations where I find them.

The real lure to Fratello’s was that Mark Nanni was playing.  He is the virtuoso who plays keyboard, guitar, and accordion.  Another listener once dubbed him Billy Bad-Ass (I may have mentioned that in another blog post).  It is certainly the truth.

He is da man!

 

Nanni puts a bluesy-jazzy sound on many of the tunes he plays.  I greatly enjoyed it.

Here’s the thing:  while I listened and enjoyed my food,  I was taking notes on the music and my interactions with other patrons.  Right now,  I do not have the motivmotivation or mental wherewithal to include these things in the blog post. Is that not typical for a Wednesday?  I find the energy to do something blogworthy but lack enough energy to make it a blog.

Go figure.  However, I see I am over 200 words. Perfectly fine for a Wuss-out Wednesday Post.  Happy Mid-week, everyone!

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

What Kind of Tuesday?

Posted on June 28, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was thinking it would not be a bad time for this blog to go All Boilermaker All The Time.  The race is less than two weeks away (too lazy and brain dead to count the days).  I ran nine days in a row, ending Sunday, did not run yesterday, then ran today.  I thought I might try for a Running Commentary Post.

For the past two weeks I have had Two Mile Tuesday.  It seemed reasonable to do that again today.  However, for some reason I was TIRED.  I know, Tired Tuesday is not unusual for me.  But I did not sleep badly last night.  I worked a reasonable amount of hard at work today.  I guess I’ll blame the humidity, although that felt worse yesterday than today.

The struggle is real.

In any case, I left work questioning my ability to make it a Two Mile Tuesday.  How about Twenty Minute Tuesday, I thought, while a little voice in my head voted for Two Minute Tuesday.  After I got home, I thought, I don’t have to get right ready and run.  I can sit down for a few minutes.  Big mistake.

However, I did get myself off the couch and into running clothes. It doesn’t have to be long, I told myself.  It doesn’t have to be fast (as if it ever is!).  It just has to be.  After putting some laundry in the washer, I set out.

I thought after a day off, my body might feel a little better about things, but the first part of the run sure was thunky.  Luckily I know how to persevere.  I changed my mind about where and how far to run several times.  Just make it a mile, I thought.  We’ll turn at the library (I was headed down Main Street).  Then I ran past the library to Park.  A mile isn’t really very far.  Maybe a 20 minute run.

As I ran through Meyers Park, I thought I probably could make it two miles.  Of course, I knew from previous runs that each block is not nearly the percentage of a mile you might expect it to be.  I continued to persevere.

I hit two miles around 26 minutes.  By this time I was wondering if two miles was nearly enough with the Boilermaker 15K looming so closely.  So I went a little further.  By running past my house three times (the neighbors, if they pay me any attention at all, must think I’m a crazy old lady) (my blog readers have known that for a while), I ran for a full 30 minutes.

Of course now I am even more tired than I thought I was, but I have a good reason to be.  And a longer blog post than my usual.  If you have read the whole thing, I thank you for staying tuned.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, running commentary, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →