Tag Archives: Boilermaker

Spoiler Alert: I Get Endorphins!

Posted on May 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would avoid Wrist to Forehead Sunday with a Running Commentary.  For one reason, I had a GOOD run this morning!  After all those whiny posts about how much my legs hurt and I wanted to stop (but kept going), I thought it might be nice to write about a run I enjoyed.

 

I was not sure I would even be able to run this morning.  We were out much later than usual last night, having a marvelous time.  Then I could not sleep when I finally closed my book (hey, the Earl of Essex was about to get into BIG trouble with Queen Elizabeth, these things are hard to put down).  However, I knew I would be glad I did it, so I got myself dressed and out the door before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.

 

Wanting to run uphill but tired of going up to the college, I headed for Steuben Road.  That road goes up for quite a ways, then another road takes you back down, making kind of a V.  I could not remember how long it was before you get to the V but seemed to think it was a ways.  No matter.  If I felt I was going too long, I could always turn around and run back down the way I came.  It’s not my favorite way to run, but it’ll do in a pinch.

 

Up, up I went.  Almost no traffic prior to 7 a.m. on a Sunday.  I like that, especially since the shoulder on that road is not as wide as the one on Lou Ambers drive.  One stretch was all woods on either side of me. I’ve seen deer there, so I kept looking.  Of course, I’ve also seen deer in front yards right down in the village proper, so seeing wildlife is always a possibility on my runs.  None greeted me today, though, so I enjoyed the sights of trees, a little stream, and houses when I saw them.

 

The run was not going badly.  I didn’t feel awful.  I didn’t even mind going uphill.  Of course I wasn’t going very fast.  I never go very fast.  And time was not passing too slowly.  I kept calculating in my head how long I should run uphill for, so as not to make my total run time too long.  I want to improve, but doing too much too soon is a mistake.

 

I reached the turn pretty easily.  Perhaps I am more along in my training than I had thought. I even ran by the first turn, the one that really makes a V and on to the next left, which I knew would also take me where I wanted to go.

 

Some of these houses are very nice.  I saw some porches that just cried out to be sat on.  Of course I did not stop and sit.  I may do that on my own front porch or back deck later, glass of wine or beer optional.  I noticed a classic sports car that needed work.  I could not tell what it was (I don’t really know from cars), but I placed it in the ’60s by the lines.  Maybe ’70s.  My dad restores old cars.  He’s worked on some real beauties.

 

Soon I was back down on German Street.  Instead of heading for home, I crossed the street and ran down Lansing.  I would run around some neighborhood streets, to make it a nice, long run.  My last longest run so far this year had been 46 minutes.  I thought I ought to at least equal that.  Since that had increased my run time for more than the recommended 10 percent, I did not feel that I needed to go 10 percent more than 46 minutes, but a little more than 46 would be OK.  I guess my training schedule is not scientifically planned.  What do you want from me anyways?

 

I was seven or eight minutes away from my house when it happened.  I started to feel terrific!  This was awesome!  I LOVE running!  I wanted to put my hands up in the air and shout.  I realized that at long last I had gotten some of those endorphins.  This was GREAT!  Would I get endorphins every time I ran this long?  How cool would that be?  Would I get endorphins while I was running the Boilermaker?  If I did, I would probably go ahead and put my hands up in the air and shout.  After all, why not provide a little more entertainment for my fellow runners?

 

My run ended up lasting for 48 minutes.  My euphoria lasted all during my cool-down walk with Tabby.  Ooh, I was so happy with myself.  I even felt optimistic about working on my novel. In fact, I have worked on my novel.

 

Sorry to inject a slightly down note, but I’d just like to mention:  I stated in a comment once that writing is SO much easier than running.  It turns out I meant blog posts, not novels.  It is much easier to run than to write novels.  However, it is easier to write blog posts than to run.  Just saying.  I intend to keep doing all three.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

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Is the Blog Post as Bad as the Run?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I start to run up a hill, I almost never have any doubt that I will make it to the top; it is merely a question of how much it is going to suck.  I said this to myself this afternoon as I ran up the hill to Herkimer College (often referred to as HCCC in this blog) (incidentally, that is read, “H-triple-C”).  Then I tried to calculate exactly how much it actually sucked.  How are these things measured, anyways?

 

Of course no run, however bad, entirely sucks.  For one reason, you are doing it.  The satisfaction of Running Anyways is not to be denied.  When one is working towards a goal — in my case, the Boilermaker 15K — one can also comfort oneself that one is making progress.  When I run up the hill to Hekimer College, another reward is the wonderful views when I get to the top.

 

One plan I had considered for this week was to run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  As may have been expected, I wussed out on Wednesday.  I would accept no excuses from myself today (to give myself some credit, I did not even try to come up with any).  Since I had not run Wednesday and since I am having serious doubts of my ability to run the Boilermaker and not have it suck (see first paragraph), I thought I should run a longish run and include hills.

 

After considering and discarding several routes, I turned up Lou Ambers Drive and headed for the college.  It was not fun.  I wondered if I would ever reach the I Can Rock This stage again.  But I kept going.  Once I got to campus I kept going uphill, by the buildings and around the athletic fields.  Oh, it took a long time.  To be fair, it did not suck the whole time.  It never felt wonderful, but at certain times it was… neutral.

 

At last I was headed down Reservoir Road.  Downhill did not feel as good as it usually does.  For one reason, I worked on my feet all day today.  For another reason, I REALLY need to get to the Sneaker Store in New Hartford, NY, and get new running shoes.  Never mind, I told myself.  Just make up your mind to it your feet are going to hurt ALL THE TIME and don’t worry about it.  I looked around at the distant views and the closer scenery to take my mind off it.  That helped.

 

My previous longest run time had been 41 minutes (I may have said 40 in an earlier blog post, but I checked my running journal and it’s 41).  It was soon apparent I would not get back home in that length of time.   I feared I would be increasing my time by longer than the recommended 10 percent.  I felt that would be OK, because I’m training for the Boilermaker.  I have to get used to running for long periods of time.

 

I ended up running for 46 minutes.  I did not feel pretty terrific, as I often do after a run.  I felt, and still feel tired.  I thought I was too tired to write a blog post.  It seems I was not.  Was I too tired to write a good blog post?  Oh, who cares?  It’s Non-Sequitur Thursday.  Slap on a title and call it a night.

 

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Not the Least Bit Like a Gazelle

Posted on May 13, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

There was a moment at work today when I WANTED to run.  My legs just asked to start moving.  Walking would not do.  Stretching would not help.  I wanted to run.  I had no doubt that if I could have gone out the door and started moving, I would have loped along like a gazelle.  Of course I was at work and able to do no such thing, so my theory remained untested.

 

I knew, even at the time, that I would not feel like running by the time I got home.  For one reason, my husband would be home and I like to spend time with my husband.  Well, maybe it would be raining.  Then I could run on the mini-tramp and chat with him while I did.  It stopped raining. I called and left a message on the answering machine, asking that coffee be available when I arrived.  Maybe that would help.

 

As I left work, the cooler temperature and breeze seemed good running weather.  I felt it would be wicked to waste it.  Steven had a fresh pot of coffee waiting.  A cup of coffee before running is often helpful. I’ve read that the caffeine helps you burn more calories.  I talked myself back into running as I sipped.

 

One thing was in my favor, if I really wanted to wimp out.  It looked as if it was going to rain again.  I could run till it started to rain too hard or until I heard thunder.  Some hard-ass might expect me to run in the pouring rain (and be disappointed), but nobody reasonable thinks you should run in lightning.

 

When I got started, I found that my pace was a good deal less gazelle-like than it had been in my head at work.  It was slower and a lot more jouncy (well, will you look at that? My computer seems to think jouncy is a word).  Well, I did not need to run for a long time and I certainly did not need to run any faster.  I just needed to keep going… for a while.

 

I decided it would be OK to not run any hills.  I intend to run at least two more times this week.  One or both of those runs could feature hills.  The purpose of this run was just to not have three days in a row of not running (as I wrote in a note to myself as part of an earlier blog post).

 

Up German Street I went.  I say “up” because there is a small upgrade.  It is more pronounced on the other side of the street, but I did not see an opportunity amidst late afternoon Herkimer traffic to cross the street.  I got all the way to the end of German and hooked around to go back Church Street.  I did not want to get too far from home, in case of rain.  The clouds did not look particularly threatening at that time, but as Fats Waller said, one never knows, do one?

 

I encountered a few cars at 4-way stops who nicely waved me on.  I yelled, “Thank you,” which I hope they heard through their open windows.  How far should I go?  To Main Street?  There were often people on Main Street.  I was feeling self-conscious.  Maybe cross Main Street?  At Prospect, I decided if I saw cars I would not cross but turn and run south.  That would bring me near Meyers Park, one of my favorite places to run through.  There was traffic.  I like it when fate decides my runs.

 

Before reaching Park Avenue, which of course leads to the park, I came to the last block of Bellinger Avenue, which is a one way street.  I like to enter at the “Do Not Enter” sign.  I’m that way.  I decided to run down Bellinger Avenue, then around the perimeter of the park, then maybe through the park, back to Park Avenue and all the way to the other end of that.

 

I should perhaps mention that this whole time my body felt SO TIRED!  My feet hurt.  My knees hurt.  My lungs simply did not feel like breathing (obviously they did breathe, since I am not dead).  Oh, whatever would I do?  What I really wanted to do was run to the park then home by the quickest route.  Maybe not even as far as the park.  I made the longer plan because I really thought it would be a good idea if I ran further.

 

As I ran in the park, I noticed the clouds moving away and blue sky above.  As I left the park the sun was out, dark clouds to the side but moving away.  I always like the bright sunlight against the dark clouds.  I started down Park Avenue.

 

I ended up running 34 minutes.  As usual I felt terrific as I walked my cool-down with Tabby.  It may, perhaps, have been better for my Boilermaker ambitions if I had run further and included hills.  For my weight-loss goals, I think this was pretty good.  For blog post purposes, I shall let you, my dear reader, decide.

 

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Back on Track?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Note to self:  Do NOT take three days in a row off from running.  In my defense, each day it seemed to be the right decision.  Then again, one can almost always find a reason.   More important is to come up with a reason TO run.  Today my reason was:  I’ve already told many people I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K.  I cannot gracefully excuse myself.

 

It was a warm and sunny day (still is as I type this, although I have showered and eaten since the run).  I prefer to run in cooler weather, but it is unlikely to be 50 degrees in July (on Boilermaker Sunday), so I knew it would be a good idea to begin to get acclimated.  I used my usual trick of telling myself I did not have to run very far or up any hills.  Just a short, easy run would be OK.

 

Of course I wanted to go for a longish run.  For one reason, I knew my wonderful husband, Steven, was fixing hot dogs with toasted buns for dinner.  Yum!  But not exactly diet food.  A good run would help keep me on the weight-loss track.

 

I headed towards Herkimer College (formerly Herkimer County Community College or HCCC).  I would not run up the front way — the steeper run — but perhaps the back way,  longer but a more gradual slope.  The back way had the added advantage of being woodsy.  There might be more shade.  If  I really didn’t feel could make it, perhaps I could continue on German Street and go up the hill by Valley Health.

 

Oh, it was not fun to run.  This was my comeuppance for taking three days off.  I knew I must continue.  I would go up to HCCC the back way (oh, it’s just quicker to type than Herkimer College).  It seemed to take a long time, but I encouraged myself.  Just get to the curve.  Now the next curve.  More than halfway there.  Almost there.  Oh dear.

 

I ran down the front way.  It is a little steep for downhill, but I leaned back and took it slow.  The advantage of going this way was that I would go by the spring and could stop for a quick drink.  This was the first day it’s been warm enough that I didn’t mind sticking my hands in the cold water.  It was a fast stop.  I kept going.

 

As I ran, I waited for it to get easier.  It did not.  That was OK.  I told myself I was building up my ability to keep going when it really sucks.  Still, maybe I would catch a second wind if I kept going.  I did not, and I think I kept going long enough to give it a fair shot.  I ran as long as my longest run so far, 40 minutes.

 

My cool-down walk around the block with my schnoodle, Tabby, was better.  Sitting down when I got back home was better yet.  I did my stretches from a sitting position.  I had to stand up to take my shower, but that was worth it.  Oh how nice my husband was to fix dinner!

 

So new rule for me: no more three days off.  I hope I can stick to it.  I have just over two months to the Boilermaker.  It is a little too soon for this blog to become All Boilermaker All The Time, but if I run again tomorrow, I just might write about it.

 

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One Must Persevere

Posted on May 3, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Twice this week I ran, thinking to do a Running Commentary.  Twice I found I could not.  Then I ran today (Saturday), thinking Saturday Running Commentary, why would I not make a Saturday Running Commentary?  At first I thought I would run my commentaries together (so to speak) and just make a post about This Week in Running.  As I started to write (yes, I’ve gone back to re-write the intro after writing most of the blog) (just to insert a note about The Writing Process), I found myself saying quite a bit about Tuesday’s run.  Not wishing to tax my readers’ patience, I shall just comment about one run today.

 

Tuesday I wanted to run into the Unknown Park.  A friend told me it is Brookfield Park.  I have called it the Unknown Park in this blog, because it is not clearly labelled.   That is how I still think of it.  These during the week runs are tricky, because it is not so easy to cross German Street at that time of the day (fourish).  All the hills I know of in Herkimer are on the other side of German Street from my street.

 

This time I managed to cross it with very little problem.  So I felt I was not off the hook for hills.  After all, if I have managed to get across the busy street, why waste it?  I sure did not feel like running, but I persevered.  The park would be interesting.  I had not run it since sometime last fall.  I might even see some buds on some trees.

 

Imagine my chagrin on discovering that the entrance to the park was blocked by a chain with an orange triangle attached.  There is a space where a pedestrian could sneak in, but I have to think of safety first.  Suppose I ran into some kind of trouble (and you know I have a vivid imagination that can come up with all sorts of trouble)?  Who would be likely to come along and help me in a blocked off park?  I ran on.

 

Running up the hill to the college was clearly ineligible, so I went up the hill by Valley Health and ran around in the suburbs (I know they aren’t really suburbs, it’s just a handy term I use).  As I went slowly up, I realized I am in no shape for the Boilermaker 15K.  I’d better step up the pace of my training.  And by step up the pace, of course I mean to continue my shuffling, overweight middle-aged lady pace (not that gender makes a difference), but more often and for longer periods of time.  No more two days off between runs, maybe not even one day off.   And I definitely have to at least walk on the days I do not run.

 

As I ran on, at one point I had a choice:  turn left and continue on a level road or go up a steep-looking hill.  I decided I would turn left.  I was tired.  Then I thought, “Step up the pace.”  I  would go up that hill!  I felt bad ass.  As usual the hill looked less steep when I got right up to it.  It was steep enough.  I made it up.  Then I took a left turn to run by a sign that said, “Do Not Enter.”  I felt bad ass doing that too.  Oh, you don’t have to tell me: they mean cars not middle-aged ladies jogging.  Don’t spoil my fun.

 

I felt quite pleased with myself for running and especially for tackling that second hill.   I was dreadfully tired as the evening progressed, but that is the difference between running after a long day of work and running first thing after sleeping in on the weekend.  As I often observe, one must persevere.

 

 

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I Am Much Woman

Posted on April 25, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tabby continues sick today.  I shall be taking her to the vet, willingly forgoing the Mohawk Valley adventures I had planned for the day.  One thing I did not want to forgo, however, was my run.  Accordingly, I set out early, when Steven was still home with the poocher.  Therefore, I am able to offer Saturday Running Commentary two weeks in a row.

 

It was prior to 6 a.m.;  the sun was up but the light was still grey and dull.  The temperature was cold (31, according to my thermostat).  I wore leggings and my long-sleeved ARMY t-shirt.  I also put on my toque and some gloves.  As I ran, it seemed my hands and ears were the only warm parts of me, but one must persevere.

 

I decided to run up to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC, although I think it goes by a different name now).   For the uninitiated, that is a rather impressive hill.  When I’m in shape I run it at least once a week.  For one reason, it makes me feel bad ass.  Today I thought, “Do it for Tabby!”  In fiction, that would become a big deal in the character’s head: “If I do this, she’ll get better!”  I knew it was no such thing.  In the first place, I am doing it for my own fitness, weight loss and Boilermaker goals.  Oh, and to post it on Facebook so my friends will Like it.  Taking Tabby to the vet is far more to the point regarding her health.  So much for symbolism.

 

I wondered if I was really up to the big hill yet, but I realized it did not matter.  I tend to accomplish things simply because I make up my mind to do them.  For example, the novel I will complete during Finish That Novel May.  I’ll just make up my mind to do it.  I made up my mind to run the hill.

 

Up a minor upgrade, then a little downgrade, the UP.  Hmm…. that hill did not look as steep as it had in my head.  Did it look longer?  Well, it was long enough, anyways.  Here we go.  At least I shouldn’t have much traffic at this hour on a Saturday.  Then I heard a car behind me.  A total of three cars passed me going up.  The last yahoo was really gunning his engine.  What, I thought, won’t your car make it up the hill otherwise?  I wished I could gun my body, but I know from experience it is better to shuffle up the hill than to sprint.

 

I speculated on where those people were going.  Perhaps to the gym to work out.  Ha! I was already getting my workout.  Perhaps they were returning to the dorms from a rough night of partying.  Good for them, not driving home drunk last night.  Or maybe it was a hot one-night stand.  You know, college students.

 

At last I made it to the top!  I would post that on Facebook for sure.  My sister Vicki has a saying when she does something bad-ass that she is “much woman.”  Should I say I was much woman?  No, I decided.  I would say “Yeah, I’m bad,” my usual saying in these cases.  Then if Vicki commented that I was much woman, I could comment, “I was hoping you would say that.”  Well, if I’m not going adventuring today, I’ve got to have some plans.

 

My legs felt warm and supple as the road leveled out.  This was awesome.  I was getting in shape!  Bring it, Boilermaker!  I turned to run down the back way, a more gradual slope with woodsy surroundings.  As I started down, my legs were all, “Yeah, we got this.” And gravity was like, “Yeah, YOU got this.”  Oh, but it is nice to keep running after you finished your terrible hill of the day.

 

I turned left where a sign said “No Left Turn,” just to be that way.  I saw my wonderful paper deliverers’ van.  They have a wide territory.  I love my paper deliverers.  SO reliable!  We waved at each other.

 

Tabby did not walk my cool-down with me, so I did not go around the block as per usual.  That may have been silly of me, because after all, I started the around the block cool-down before I got Tabby.  Today I walked up and down the backyard while Tabby sat on the deck.  I hoped she could feel she was participating that way.  Dogs like to participate.

 

I felt delighted that I had run, and that I had done that big hill.  It was the first time in 2015.  I’ll do it again soon.  And I hope Tabby will be walking my cool-down with me soon.  Incidentally, I did post on Facebook that I ran it.  So far I’ve gotten six Likes but no comments.  Still, I think I am much woman.

 

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Running in Place toward May (and July)

Posted on April 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had been going to write a Running In Place Commentary, because I ran in place on the mini-tramp today.  However, in looking at my WordPress notifications, I saw some interesting comments on yesterday’s post.  One in particular gave me my topic for today’s post.

 

Fellow blogger Mark Bialczak suggested I declare next month Finish That Novel May.  What a marvelous idea!  Like NaNoWriMo only I don’t have to write the whole damn thing in 30 days.  For one thing, May is 31 days.  Already I’m ahead of the game.  And I have a lot written on this novel.  Some needs to be cut, some new scenes written, lots of organization…

 

So that is my new plan.  I will no doubt write further blog posts on the topic.

 

In the meantime, in the interests of Non-Sequitur Thursday, I’ll just mention that I wrote more on the new novel while at work today.  A new character magically appeared.  I love it when that happens.  Other characters are developing, plot points present themselves, I am enjoying it a great deal.

 

As the Boilermaker 15K continues to approach (yes, another non-sequitur), I knew I must run.  Of course the weather did not cooperate, with snow falling all day.  Then again, what do I care about the weather?  I can and do run in crappy weather.  However, today I elected to run in place on the mini-tramp.

 

While I ran, my husband Steven and I watched The Blue Dahlia, which we DVR’d from TCM back in February.   Naturally we discussed what we were watching, but I mustn’t share too much, in case you’d like to watch the movie sometime.  It is not one of the cheesy ones I delight in giving plot summaries of.

Incidentally, the Boilermaker is in July (I just wrote the headline and realized the reference might be obscure).

 

 

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I Run the A B C’s

Posted on April 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Would you believe, a running commentary on Fabulous Wine Tasting Weekend?  I was going to let myself off the hook and train extra hard next week, but in fact I ran and I’m going to write about it.

 

I am at my sister’s house in Liverpool, NY, whence we will drive to the Finger Lakes for said wine.  I packed running clothes, under the theory that it was better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.  As a matter of fact, I forgot to pack a second pair of running shorts, so running tomorrow morning may not happen, but I’ll leave that concern for the future.

 

I woke up at 12:30 this morning with a dreadful headache.  Damn!  I managed to go back to sleep, but I was quite wakeful around 5:30 and wondered if I might sweat out the headache with a run.  I figured a run would be a good idea even if it did not help the headache, so while the rest of the household slept, I set out.

 

My sister lives in a development, all residential, no sidewalks but not much traffic.  Like many of these places, the street arrangement seems to be inspired by a plate of spaghetti, all curves and no real idea what street leads where.  I was not too worried, though, because I remembered what my other sister had observed:  the street names are in alphabetical order.

 

The sun was up but not very high.  The air felt cool and fresh.  Maybe a little too cool.  I soon pulled my headband over my ears.  I could not do anything for my hands, though, except feel them get progressively colder and stiffer.  No matter.  I  would not have to do anything requiring fine motor skills till after a hot shower.

 

I admired houses as I ran, observing that many of them looked remarkably similar in structure.  That did not bode well for finding my way back if need be, so I began to look for more distinctive features, such as For Sale signs and solar lights.  I kept turning left, on the idea that if I did that I would end up back where I started.  Then I thought I might finish my run too soon, so I made a righthand turn (why is the computer underlining that? Isn’t righthand a word?).

 

And that was where things got a little complicated.

 

It doesn’t matter, I told myself.  Alphabetical order, remember?  I saw a street that began with Q.  My sister’s street begins with G.  This could be a problem.  The next street began with P.  Ah, at least I was headed in the right direction.  This would be fine.  My legs were not complaining too much, my breathing was OK.  I did not feel  as if I had reached the I Can Rock This stage, but I believe I was rocking it.

 

It is interesting to try to remember the alphabet backwards, since we are so used to saying it the other way.  I was narrating in my head and realized I would not remember all the street names I was using.  Then I realized that was OK, because it is perhaps not the best idea to use identifying characteristics, in case somebody wants to stalk my sister (she is the cute one) (we vie for the title of the wittiest) (but I digress).  Perhaps in saying Liverpool and streets in alphabetical order I’ve said too much.  It’s all a lie, stalkers!  I have no sisters!  Ha, the joke’s on you!

 

O, N, M… I had only meant to go for a short run, maybe 20 minutes.  After all, must recruit my energies for the wine tour.  Still, the Boilermaker isn’t getting any further away.  Also,  I had not yet worked up a sweat.  That was no way to sweat out a headache.  Then I was almost to G.  G was next!  Yes!  NO!

 

It was the wrong G!  Oh NO!  Who knew this development had so many streets?  There was no way I was backtracking.  I figured I was close to A by now, and thus the end of this street.  Surely from there I could find the proper street to run down and the proper alphabet to follow.  At last I saw something a recognized:  the back of the shopping center which one drives by before reaching the development.  NOW I knew where I was.  Sort of.

 

A little further down, I saw a building that looked familiar.  Then the sign for a church I knew I had to turn by.  Yes, yes!  I still had streets A through F to get through, but I knew where I was.   This was going to be quite a respectable run.  My headache did not seem much better, but I felt I was definitely progressing towards being in shape for the Boilermaker.

 

After I finished the run, I stayed right on my sister’s street to walk my cool-down, for which I definitely missed Tabby.  I felt triumphant.  I would meet my weight-loss goals!  I would be in shape for the Boilermaker!  My sister thought it was awesome that I had gone running.

 

“And you didn’t get lost,” she said.

 

“Actually, I did,” I admitted.  “I’m going to write my blog post about it.”

 

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First Post-Illness Run

Posted on April 12, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

As my week of being ill progressed, I watched in dismay as the days when I did NOT run added up. But the Boilermaker, I thought. What about the Boilermaker? I made up my mind I would run today (Saturday). An off week is only a minor setback! I can still train enough in time!

We had gotten up at five (couldn’t sleep), and it was twenty after six when I got out the door. My thermostat said 40 degrees. Usually I go shorts and short sleeves for 45 and above. I put on my leopard-spotted long johns and long-sleeved ARMY t-shirt and hoped I would not feel too warm as the run progressed. As I brushed my teeth I could hear the wind whistling in a way that made me expect to hear the theme music to The Wizard of Oz and figured I would not over-heat. I put on my toque instead of a headband and set out.

The sidewalks and roads were still wet from last night’s rain, but there weren’t too many puddles to avoid. I decided a 20 minute run would be good enough and I was not obligated to run any hills. I turned towards Main Street, thinking I would run up it and over to the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal. It was grey and gloomy out. The sun was up but not very high. One of my favorite things is to go running while it’s still dark out and have the sun come up while I run. But this was nice, too.

I admired the bare trees against the grey sky but hoped for leaves soon. Looking closely at some of the branches I could see buds. Come on, Spring! The temperature was not too bad. I felt I had dressed appropriately. Only my hands were cold, especially my fingers. Well, one must deal with these things. As I reached the end of the first stretch of path and started across German Street the wind was directly behind me, pushing me. I appreciated the psychological boost.

I was running very slowly. Breathing was not difficult. My legs began to complain. Well, there is just no pleasing my legs. All week they felt awful, because I was neither walking nor running. Now I start to run and they bitch at me. I ignored them an kept going. Grey, cloudy skies ahead of me. If I looked straight over my head I could see a little blue peeking through. That gave me hope.

After a while the wind became dead against me. No matter, I told myself. More effort burns more calories and will better build me up for the Boilermaker. I would just have to live with the cold hands. I had had the foresight to stuff a tissue into my sleeve. I pretty much used it up. Again, no matter. There were other tissues back home, which is the general direction I was headed by now.

I headed towards Meyers Park. When I first started running again after moving to Herkimer (I had many sedentary months here first), I made it a habit to always go through the park, either at the beginning or the end of my run. I stopped doing this every time as my run area expanded, but it’s always nice to go through the park. I again admired the bare trees while feeling a little wistful that they are still bare.

My legs were SO not happy with me. I was resolutely trying to ignore them when suddenly I felt something… different. Could that be a muscle? Was I developing a muscle? Yes, I could feel my thigh muscles working. That was kind of cool. They were quietly pumping along in a business-like fashion and the rest of my legs were just kind of going along. They were no longer complaining. I can’t say it was the “I can rock this” stage. More like a determined, “OK, let’s DO this.”

It soon became clear that I would go over my 20 minutes, although not by much. I didn’t feel too awful. This was going to be all right. The sun was all the way up now and I could see blue skies up ahead. No, really, I saw actual bits of blue in between the clouds. It wasn’t just my end of the run optimism.

When Tabby and I walked my cool-down, my legs felt even better. I felt so happy that I had gotten that first run under my belt. When one has a pause in one’s running for whatever reason, some say just getting started again is the hardest part. I expect to find out tomorrow if that is true or if continuing is just as hard. No matter. I intend to run regardless of difficulty. I’m a runner again.

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Thank You, RunSignUp!

Posted on March 29, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

By late June this blog may become All Boilermaker All The Time. In the meantime I will do posts about the Boilermaker as they occur to me. Today I would like to talk about the registration process and give a shout-out to RunSignUp.com, who made it all very pleasant.

I will say right up front that I greatly prefer doing things in person. I realize this is impossible for some people and wildly impractical for a field of 14,000 runners which is expected to fill up quickly. I know I am in the minority and hopelessly 20th century, but let us not dwell on my shortcomings.

The first time I registered for the Boilermaker I drove to the Runner’s Hall of Fame in Utica, NY, filled out a form and wrote them a check. This was in my pre-blog days or I might have written a blog post about it. For one reason, it involved some fancy Utica driving, although I daresay it would not have posed an issue for Uticans. I don’t remember the second time I registered (give me a break, I’m old), but the third time I wrote a blog post about it. I felt I had been put through the wringer.

When I declared my intention of running it again, after a two year hiatus, I faced the registration process with trepidation (remember, I scare easy). For one reason, the field filled up in a matter of hours last year. Would I get closed out? I know, this is another reason to be happy about online registration. Imagine 14,000 people converging on the Runner’s Hall of Fame at once. The parking! The waiting in line! The crush at the door, cutting in line, and fist-fight for the last slot! Far better to fight the crowds in cyberspace.

My plan was to go to my parents’ house. Their desktop is more reliable than mine. I could register, print out my confirmation and breathe easy. Why, oh why, did I feel so nervous?

“I’ll be able to register or I won’t,” I said. “Either way will be OK, so why am I so nervous?”

I may have mentioned my numerous reservations about running the Boilermaker at all. I had finally made the decision that I would run it. Unless I got closed out when trying to register. In other words, I would leave it up to fate. Should this not have engendered in my a Zen-like calmness? Not so much.

I logged onto the Boilermaker website on my home computer that morning. I signed up for a username and password. One step complete.

The worst part was waiting for the crack of noon when open registration officially began (it was a tiered system and I didn’t qualify for any of the other tiers). I logged on at three minutes to twelve. I know it was three of, because there was a time clock on the website counting down. The suspense was killing me!

I clicked on “Sign Up” as soon as the clock flashed “0:00.” Nothing happened. The cyber version of crush at the door, I suppose. Had any of those bastards cut the line? At least I hadn’t encountered any elbows or got my toes stepped on. I clicked again. Nothing. Would I be closed out? How long should I sit there clicking “Sign Up”? At last I was rewarded with the sign up screen.

And it was SO EASY! Not too much to read, not to much to fill out. Before I knew it, I was typing in my bank card number and printing out my confirmation. This was GREAT! I was going to run the Boilermaker! I was elated. All my doubts vanished. I WANTED to run the 15K! I was HAPPY I had not gotten closed out! Yay!

I saw that it was RunSignUp.com I had registered through. I found out they had a Facebook page, which I immediately Liked. I further learned they have a WordPress blog. Who doesn’t love a WordPress blog! I hit Follow on that. And I made up my mind to write a blog post about how pleasant the process was. So here it is.

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