Tag Archives: herkimer ny

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Just Time for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post

Posted on June 26, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am up later on a Sunday than I usually am, because I like to go to bed early on a Sunday, but I thought I might just make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post before turning in.

One reason I am up later is that I met two long-time friends (tactless to say old friends, but we ain’t none of us very young) for dinner at Carmella’s in New Hartford, NY.  Carmella’s was doing such a booming business, I hardly think they need a plug from Mohawk Valley Girl, but there it is nonetheless.

They are the best!

I had a great meal and a great time visiting with two friends who I met through my late, dearly missed husband Steve.

It was in fact, the second night in a row for me dining out.  Last night my bestie, Kim, and I had a great meal at Yetty’s in Herkimer.  I declared the bartender, Piel, my new favorite person.  He graciously agreed to a photograph.

Isn’t he the cutest?

I gotta say, I love being older, because I can enjoy these young people and say so without their thinking I am coming on to them.  I can just be everybody’s Aunt Cindy.

Oh goody, that is over 200 words. Sufficient for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  Time to worry about going to work tomorrow.  Or not.  That is, not worry.  I plan to go to work.

Back off, Creature! I have a few more hours left!

 

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Lame, Lame, Go Away

Posted on June 24, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

The title might have been more apropos if it had rained a little more today.  I was counting on a big old thunderstorm to give me an excuse not to run.  Then I felt so tired, I just decided not to.  Six days in a row, with yesterday’s being three miles,  I argued with myself, surely that is enough (sometimes I call myself Shirley when I am arguing).  Additionally, this was my own challenge to me, to see how many days in a row I could run.  Wouldn’t this just mean I could run six days in a row?

As it turns out, I can run seven days in a row.

There I was, lounged on the couch, still in my dirty work clothes, too tired to even take my bra off, never mind taking a shower, however good it might make me feel.  I couldn’t believe how tired I felt!  Eventually I stood up and made it upstairs.

“I can’t do anything,” I said.  “But if I could do just one thing, maybe I could take a shower.”  Just take a shower, I repeated to myself.  Just take a shower.

After some contemplation, I followed my original plan, which was to throw in a load of laundry and go running while it washed.  For one reason, all my spandex running shorts were dirty, as well as all my favorite weekend clothes.  I put on a pair of just regular shorts and a t-shirt, and somehow made it out the door.

Just a little overgrown.

I felt the  post could use a picture.  This stretch of sidewalk is on the block I live on.  I usually run on the other side of the street, to avoid the pricker bushes.

Today’s run was rough.  I huffed. I puffed. I thunked along.  I made it for twenty minutes, which kind of surprised me.  I had thought, just run one mile, which I have been doing in 13 or 14 minutes.  Just run for 15 minutes.  20 minutes?  Oh no, I couldn’t.

My first mile was 13 minutes and change.  I couldn’t possibly keep going for another seven minutes! Then it was only six minutes.  I could make it six minutes.  Couldn’t I?

So I ended up running for 20 minutes, about a mile and a half (too lazy to go get my Garmin and find the exact number).   I walked a shorter cool down than usual but gratefully drank my full chocolate milk recovery beverage. The shower felt oh so good.

And this blog post is running oh so long.  How inappropriate for Lame Post Friday.  I guess I’m better at running my mouth than running my body.

I like it too, lame posts and all.

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What a Run!

Posted on June 23, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Spoiler alert:  I did it!

Last Thursday I opted for Thirty-Minute Thursday instead of Three Mile Thursday, following Two-Mile Tuesday.  Well, this week I have challenged myself to see how many days in a row I could run.  I am up to six!  I did two miles on Tuesday, less on Wednesday, and was undecided how far or long to run today.  When you are on a streak, it is permissible to have some short run days.

So I set out thinking Thirty-Minute Thursday, giving myself permission to run less.  However, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I had taken a half hour walk in the morning before work.  Today I overslept (still made it to work on time, if you were worried) so thought a longer run would be better.  Three-Mile Thursday?  Could I do it?

I started out running in the opposite direction from which I usually go, that is, I ran toward Church Street, not German.  I turned onto Church and went towards Valley Health, which regular readers may remember has a pretty decent hill. I was not convinced I would run up it.  Then as I got closer, I saw the sidewalk was shady for the whole hill.  Yes!  It was a very warm, sunny day.

No spoiler alert needed: I entered.

I just spent an inordinate amount of time searching my Media Library for a picture of the hill.  I feel sure I had one.  Perhaps this weekend I will make an index of that library.  Anyways, I wanted to add a picture so opted for this Do Not Enter sign, which of course I defied.  Regular readers know I love to do that.

So I ran a mile.  Then I ran two.  I spent most of those miles calculating how many minutes or what fraction I was from 30 minutes, a favorite distraction technique of mine.  When I got to two miles, I decided to go for three.  I could do it! I would do it!

My body wanted to stop pretty much every step of the way.  I kept looking at my Garmin for how far I had gone and quickly realized how short a block is.  Never mind, keep going.  I treasured the shady spots.  I did not think I could make it.  I flatly refused to go a block beyond my street in case it made my run over three miles.  I ran by my house twice.  I made it to three miles!

And oh did I feel crappy!  Yet proud of myself.  I walked around a block for a full ten-minute cool down.  I gratefully drank my chocolate milk recovery beverage.  I realized sweat was pouring down my face.  Yuck!  Into the shower!

I still feel tired.  And this is a long blog post for me.  No promises about tomorrow’s run or blog post, but as always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Time Warp, Two Miles, and Tired, It’s Tuesday

Posted on June 21, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

My usual Tired Tuesday pic.

I have been in a timewarp all day.  I kept thinking it was later in the week but earlier in the day.  I was delighted to realize it was almost lunch time, not close to the 9:30 break.  I was saddened to remember it was only Tuesday.  Wait a minute, what did I say about finding joy in every day and not living just for the weekend?  Oh yeah.

I realize I was supposed to tell the rest of my Monday activities, but they really do not amount to much.  Basically I grocery shopped, which I did not think I would have the oomph to do.  I was in fact planning in my head what I could bring for lunch in the event that I did not shop.

Still, I felt I did quite a bit for a Monday and did not feel inclined to repeat the effort on Tuesday.  Yet, I managed to put in some effort.  I ran for two miles, even including a couple of hills.  I surprised myself.

It feels steeper when you are actually on it.

This is one of the hills in a picture taken April of 2020.  Why does it look so gentle in the picture?  I feel quite ill-used.

In addition to the run and walking for a half hour this morning, I walked to the VFW in Herkimer, NY (where I live) to vote for mayor.  Before walking home, I stopped in the bar for a glass of Chardonnay.  It was a most pleasant interlude.

On the whole, it was not a bad Tuesday.  Still, I feel tired enough to categorize this blog post as such.  I wonder if I will Wuss Out on Wednesday.  A little suspense adds interest to my week.

 

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Thirty Minute Thursday

Posted on June 16, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had originally thought to follow Two-Mile Tuesday with Three-Mile Thursday, but I was skeptical of my ability to pull it off.  True, I ran four miles last weekend, but that was first thing in the morning not last thing after an eight hour day at work.  Then I thought, Thirty-Minute Thursday.  It sounds even better, it is still longer than what I ran Tuesday, and I could totally do it.  At least, I could probably do it.

I usually let myself off the hook on these week-day runs.  I feel they are really just to keep my hand in (feet, really).  Weekends are the time for improvement.  However, I feel I will improve moreso on the weekends if I do a little better during the week.  That Boilermaker 15K is getting closer!

After a little puttering around the house, I got into running clothes and set out.  It was warm and sunny.  Maybe I should run some hills.  But I also had to worry about traffic.  German Street in Herkimer, NY is pretty busy in the late afternoon.  I ran down the sidewalk looking for a place to cross the street.  I thought maybe the hill by Valley Health Services would be a good goal.

The three-way stop at Caroline Street provided my opportunity to cross the street.  I soon decided to run into Brookwood Park.  For one reason, there would be plenty of shade.  I could run along the path through the woods that comes out on the back way to Herkimer College.  I assured myself that I was in no way obligated to run the rest of the way uphill to the college.

As I ran, I tried to keep myself from looking at my Garmin too often.  When I did, I would do the math and figure out what fraction of 30 minutes I had done.  Six minutes was one fifth.  How much was a quarter? A third?  Thus I keep my mind occupied so I don’t think too much about how I would really rather stop running.

The path through the woods was nice.  I like looking at the trees, and the ground is somewhat soft under my feet.  I just have to be careful of uneven surfaces and things I could trip over.  I am pretty clumsy.

The uphill portions almost defeated me, but I persevered.  Eventually I was running on pavement again, and running down hill.  Phew!  It was an effort to get to 30 minutes, but I made the effort and was glad I did.

I don’t know if my effort at a blog post is equally successful, but I can hope at least some readers found it reasonably entertaining.  In another couple of weeks, this blog may become All Boilermaker All The Time.  I fear I am already making myself a little tiresome at work by talking about it.  Oh well, at my age, I need all the encouragement I can get.

 

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While I Was Running…

Posted on June 11, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of a Scattered Saturday Post or a true Running Commentary Post, I wanted to share a couple of fun encounters I had during last Saturday morning’s run.

I was running in the residential area behind Valley Health Services.  I call it The Suburbs in my mind, but I know that description is not strictly accurate.  I particularly like to run down Walnut Street to the exit of the Valley Health parking lot.

A different time of year, but this is the sign.

As I was entering, a guy was walking in the opposite direction.   He said hello.

“I like to enter where it says not to,”  I said. “I feel like such a rebel.”  He laughed.  Later, I encountered him on another street in the area.

“You must have had a Get Out of Jail Free Card,” he said.

I laughed.  “Good one!” I said.

Continuing my run, I eventually ran down Caroline Street. When I saw a couple of walkers, I went out on the road to give them space.  A resident had put out a couple of signs that said, “Slow Down!  This is a neighborhood not a race track!”

As I approached the pedestrians, I said, “That sign said to slow down, but I’m not going to.” They laughed.

This is why I like to run outdoors.

 

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My Scattered Sunday, Still in Progress

Posted on June 5, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a Scattered Sunday today.  I did a few blogworthy things but am too tired to actually compose the posts.  So we will have a Preview of Coming Attractions.

I went for a run this morning, about which I may or may not make a Running Commentary Post. I mention it merely to add to my list of Things I Did.

Later in the morning I checked out the Brookwood Flea Market in Brookwood Park (previously known as the unknown park in this space) in Herkimer, NY.  It is a new thing and one I hope becomes very successful.  I chatted with a few of the vendors, along with Herkimer Mayor Dana Sherry, who organized the event.

Just one of the pleasant people I chatted with.

The mayor and I also talked about the Herkimer Downtown Chow Down, which takes place Mondays in Meyers Park.  I mention this to add another Preview of Coming Attractions.

From my Media Library.

In the afternoon I drove into Utica to auditions for Fun House, the premiere production of Brick 2 Theatre Company.  I hope to write a lot more about that.

The one sitting down played the music while the one standing sang.

On the way home I stopped at Aldi’s for snacks and Valley Wine and Liquor for a bottle.  I thought my friend Kim was stopping by for some porch sitting.  She is in a play at Ilion Little Theatre (just to plug more local drama).  Now I am wondering if she isn’t feeling well.  I think there is a summer bugaboo going around.

And that is the story of my Sunday.  I would say I made up for slacking yesterday, but there are still a number of chores still undone.  In fact, crap!  I just remembered I still have laundry in the washer!

Laundry is in the drier, and I just got a text:  Kim is on her way!

 

 

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