Tag Archives: running

Sit Down Saturday?

Posted on June 24, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a moment.  Not a bad moment, but kind of a blah moment.  It is in fact a rather strong bout of Don’t Wanna Do Nuthin’.  So I thought to myself, well at least you can do a blog post (did not feel inclined to call myself Shirley today).

I woke up about 3:30 this morning with a bad headache.  No, I did not tie one on last night, so stop tsk-tsking at me (you know who you are).  I am out of acetaminophen but thought maybe more sleep would help with the result that I got up at six, which regular readers know is sleeping in for me.

Weekends are my days for long, challenging runs.  I had neglected to put on coffee last night so I decided to run first.  I ignored my usual weekend running plans and made up my mind to a short run.  Thirty minutes tops.  Maybe even twenty.  Or fifteen in a pinch.

It turned out to be in a pinch,  I ran for just over a mile in a little over 15 minutes (once again too lazy to get the Garmin and check.  I drank my chocolate milk recovery beverage but never got the oomph to fix breakfast till a couple of hours later.  Sorry, body.

I forgot where I was going with all this.  Lame Post Saturday?  No matter.  It is over 200 words, and my Saturday Post is done on Saturday (no matter what my WordPress timestamp may say).  If only I had a peppy picture to close with.  Maybe a monster.

You go, girl!

I stole this from Dracula’s House of Halloween, one of my favorite Facebook pages.   I did drink all the coffee, but sadly there is no longer anybody in my house to strangle me over it.  On that melancholy note,  Happy Saturday,  everyone.

 

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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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What a Monday!

Posted on June 20, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Turns out I’m not Wonder Woman.  I thought that when I was mid-way through this afternoon’s gyrations.  I thought I might post it as a Facebook status but decided instead to use it as a lead for my blog post.  If only I have not waited too long and become too tired to post at all.  Oh, the trials and tribulations!  You are welcome to roll your eyes and play a miniature violin.

I just paused in my blogging for further gyrations.  I made my salad for the rest of the week and fixed tomorrow’s lunch. Go, me!

Only I am having wine, not beer.

I thought a picture would pep things up.  It is Monstrous Monday,  after all.

I believe I have mentioned that all I require of myself on Mondays is to get through the day.  Other than that, I am off the hook.  I have even been known to skip taking out the trash once in a while.  Today, however, I tried to muster just a little bit more ambition,

First, I wanted to go for a run.  I thought I would try seeing how many days in a row I could run at least a little.  Today makes three.  I’ll keep you posted on if I make it to four.  I put a load of laundry in the washer while I ran, my usual multi-task.

After the run, I paused for my recovery beverage of chocolate milk.  While I drank it, I called my parents.  I like to check in with them.  I had a nice conversation with Mom.  I could put the laundry in the drier, take my shower and then…

Wait a minute, trash had to go out.  I feel it is inadvisable to skip a week during warmer weather.  Who knew if I would want to put real clothes on after a shower.  Out went the trash.  Oh crap, look at the dirty dishes!  You are welcome to judge me for not doing them yesterday.  I could do them quickly.  I grabbed my rubber dishwashing gloves.

And was reminded the drain was slow.  I poured in some drain stuff and went downstairs to take care of the laundry.  The drain stuff seemed to work fairly well, till I realized the other sink had a clog too.  I poured in more drain stuff and went up to take my shower.

One thing that confuses me about this drain stuff.  After waiting 15 minutes, you are supposed to run hot water down the drain.  But my water is not hot as soon as I turn it on.  The first time I had heated water in my Hot Spot, about two cups worth.  Well, I thought I was really clever the second time.  After my shower, I filled a gallon jug with hot water from the tub spigot (it was an empty jug that originally held white vinegar, which I sometimes use with baking soda to wash my hair or the sink)  (but I digress).

I did not bother putting on clothes but went right down stairs to implement my inspiration.  It worked!  The drains were clear!  I happily set about washing the dishes.  Please do not point out that this is too much information (an expression I HATE), but I couldn’t help thinking that my husband Steve would have enjoyed watching me do the dishes wearing only rubber gloves and my Turbi-Twist.

Full disclosure:  I did not do all the dishes.  I left two coffee mugs and an empty coffee container.  I declared it good enough.  However, my gyrations were not over yet.

Wow, I am up to 600 words!  That is a long blog post for me!  I am going to stop my tale, mid-gyration, and continue tomorrow.  If I am able.  It will be Tired Tuesday, after all.

“You don’t want a Monstrous Monday Post without me, do you?”

I throw in another monster for good measure.

 

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How Much Slack Can I Get Away With?

Posted on June 19, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I let all of Saturday and a good part of Sunday slip by without making a blog post and am feeling a bit guilty about it.  The fact is, I am having the damnedest time getting myself to do anything.  I did go for two long runs this weekend.  Yesterday I did a load of laundry and washed the dishes before I petered out.  Eventually I wrote a few post cards to my usual peeps.  However, there is a lot more that I need and want to get done.  What the hell, me?

Pretty!

I threw in a picture, before I sank into a boring morass of self-recrimination.  These are my front lawn daisies from two years ago.  They are starting to die off now, and I just spent some time trying to cut them back.  This was after mowing the grass with my non-power mower and pulling up a bunch of other stuff on the side of the house.  And that was after my 50-minute run earlier.  A woman my age gets tired.  I never made it to the back yard.  In fact, a number of failing daisies remain out front.

Now I am lounged on my couch pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet, and sipping a glass of wine,  because I feel any effort deserves a reward.  I think I can move on to the movie watching portion of my Sunday.  Maybe I can even do a Sunday Cinema Post.  But no promises.

 

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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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Two-Mile Tuesday

Posted on June 14, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title while at work today.  So I decided I would run for two miles and write a Running Commentary Blog Post about it.  I told my plan to a co-worker, thinking it would make me more likely to do it.  I guess it worked, because I got home and put on running clothes right away.  I threw in a load of laundry, my usual multi-task for a weekend run, and off I went.

It was warm but not hot.  My body was not too happy with the exertion after a full day’s work, but as usual, I persevered.  My knees have been bothering me lately.  However, I know losing a little weight can help, and running can help me lose weight.  One good thing about my body is that it usually tag-teams when it comes to pain:  when my hip started to twinge, the knees shut up.

When I say my hip, I don’t really know if it is the hip.  Today the pain was coming from the crease where leg meets torso.  Sometimes it radiates out into definite hip area.  I hope nobody minds me prosing on about my aches and pains.  Blame it on my age.  I am almost 60.  Then again, my pains did not keep me from running, so perhaps they are not worthy of mention in the blog.

Getting back to the run, I am rather enjoying running for a certain distance rather than for a certain amount of time, as I usually do.  Saturday I made up my mind to run for 4 miles.  It took less time than I had expected, so I felt pretty good about that.

Today’s two miles took about 27 minutes.  The second mile took me 13 minutes and 13 seconds.  I liked that:  13:13 on the 13th.  Too bad it wasn’t Friday the 13th, but then I wouldn’t have had my alliterative title.

 

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What Could Be Better Than Monsters?

Posted on June 13, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So my goals were to find something to enjoy on Monday and to make a better blog post, but I think we all knew I was more likely to revert to Monstrous Monday.  My day at work was not bad at all.  My worst moment was getting myself out of bed.  Oh, did I want to sleep in!  But coffee worked its magic, and my day improved from there.

This is how cheerful I am after coffee.

After work things got a little dicey as I struggled with my checkbook and fretted over bills.  I did not go running as I had intended, and I almost forgot to take out the trash.  However, I had walked for 30 minutes this morning, and the trash and recyclables are now waiting by the curb.  Additionally, the dishes are washed, and tomorrow’s lunch is packed.

The happy smile I get after doing a few chores.

I seem to always be listing every little thing I get done, either in this blog, in one of my journals, or just in my head.  It is to keep from beating myself up over all the things that I have left undone.  For heavens’ sakes, I can’t do everything!  Or so I comfort myselg

Maybe if I had three friends behind me and a pitchfork!

I guess this last picture doesn’t show a monster, but it is from a pretty scary movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.   As messed up as my life can be, I would not want some pod growing into a duplicate of me and taking over my body.  Now that I think about it, that movie is also pretty sad.  All the characters I like turn into beings with no warmth or feelings.

On that rather melancholy note,  I see I am approaching 300 words.  Perhaps it is not a better blog post, but at least I tried.

 

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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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