Tag Archives: running

Wussed Out and Not Very Way Back

Posted on September 22, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yikes, look at the time! As usual, I wussed out on Wednesday and did not make my blog post till now, early Thursday morning. But not as early as I usually make my blog posts. Never mind why; explanations are tiresome. I feel I must confess, moreover, that I do not have my usual excuse for not posting yesterday. We did not indulge in our usual treat of music and food at Fratello’s in Frankfort, NY. I was just tired.

One reason I was tired was that I went on a run. I ran faster than I usually do, especially on a week day. This, of course, is not nearly as fast as others run, but one does what one can. Still, since I had just about talked myself out of running at all, I thought I done good. Unfortunately, it was not a particularly memorable run, making a Running Commentary Post ineligible.

How about a Way-Back Wednesday post instead? I wonder if I can find something old in my computer downloads, just as something different from my Media Library.

Aren’t they cute?

Here is an oldish picture of our dear friends, Phyllis and Jim, dressed for Halloween. We lost Phyllis in 2021, and I miss her dearly. I treasure my memories.

Another great memory.

Here are Phyllis and Jim plus Steve, at Salvatore’s Pizzeria in Herkimer, NY. Three of my favorite people at one of my favorite places!

So I guess it is not a very far back Wednesday. A Little Ways Back Wednesday? However, it does me good to remember my lovely friend Phyllis. We’ll have to get together with Jim again soon (preview of coming attractions).

In the meantime, I have gotten myself up to nearly 300 words. Score! If I also have time to eat breakfast, it will not be a bad Thursday morning for me.

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Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, friend Phyllis, friends Phyllis and Jim, husband Steve, memories, running, Running Commentary post, Way Back Wednesday. Bookmark the permalink.

Early Run, Late Blog Post

Posted on September 11, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

If I make my Saturday post late (which I am in the process of doing), I am at least doing better than I did last week, when I missed Saturday and Sunday entirely. Why do I feel the need to emphasize my failures? Why don’t I just drive on and hope nobody notices? There is a very good chance nobody will, and an even better chance that nobody cares. So what’s my problem? Never mind, let us get on with the post.

My Lame Post Friday post ended up being about my Saturday morning run, so I will feel free to talk about my Sunday morning run now. For one reason, I took a couple of pictures on my cool-down walk. That should pep things up.

First, however, I will share something I did not mention from yesterday’s run. I had just returned to the suburbs (I call them the suburbs) from the church parking lot where I got a good look at the moon. It was a dark patch, because of the full trees and lack of street lights (they are kind of spaced out). Did I see a flash of light? Then another?

“Good morning,” said a voice, and I saw it was a guy running.

“Hello,” I said. “I wondered what that flashing light was!” He laughed. I have a red flashing light I attach to my road guard vest, but I rarely turn it on. It does a continuous light or flashing, so that is kind of fun.

This morning, I started my run earlier, so the moon was higher in the sky. My husband Steve’s nephew, when he was a little boy, used to call it the Moon-a-Moolah, so that is how I think of it. However, I thought I would not see the Moon-a-Moolah this morning due to cloud cover. As I ran down German Street, I thought I could see where it was behind some clouds. Would they clear enough to give me glimpse? I did not get my hopes up.

Fortunately for me, I was wrong about that. As I continued my run, the cloud moved, and I could glory in a full view of the moon. Yay! I purposely turned down a road so I was running straight towards it. Eventually I had to turn, and the moon was to my left. I turned my head, taking care to also watch where I was going. I was less successful with that, although I suppose I could also blame the darkness. At one point, I missed seeing where the road dipped down till my foot thunked lower than I expected it to. Ouch! It wasn’t so bad, though, so no harm, no foul.

I kept the Moon-a-Moolah in sight as long as I could but eventually had to head back home. The clouds were starting the cover the moon again anyways. I ran for as long as I did yesterday but not for as far. I set a slower pace. As I walked my cool-down walk, I told myself that there was no law I had to walk all the way around the block or for a full ten minutes. However, I did admire the moon again and took the opportunity to take a picture with my phone.

A little hazy but nice.

The moon was not clear even to my eyes, so I did not worry that my phone doesn’t always take the best pictures. I tried for a close-up, then took one that showed more of the neighborhood.

The sun was starting to take over for the moon.

I enjoy starting my runs in the dark and finishing them in the light. I also enjoy writing blog posts about them.

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Posted in humor, personal, running, running commentary and tagged blog post, blogging, full harvest moon, full moon, late post, moon, running. Bookmark the permalink.

Lame Post? Running Commentary? Non-Sequitur? Anyways, It’s Late But Here It Is!

Posted on September 10, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello, and welcome to another late Lame Post Friday post (ooh, it is weird not to be ten-fingered typing and not have the predictive text thingy making suggestions). In my defense, and I suppose it is not much of one, I was cheering up my friend Kim, or she was cheering me up, I guess. This involved sitting on my front porch, sipping wine, and having a lot of laughs. What would I do without my friends? It does not bear thinking about.

Be that as it may, I am sitting at the dining-room-table-top (which used to be a laptop, as regular readers may recall), having my first cup of coffee of the day. I have been up for almost two hours, so the coffee is extremely welcome. I went running for just over three and a quarter miles in 44 minutes. Yay, me! Stretching with my recovery beverage of chocolate milk (yum!), a soapy shower (with hair wash!), and a search for something to wear (note to self: do laundry) took up the rest of my morning so far.

Just a quick note about the parenthetical comment about “hair wash” (does that make this Non-Sequitur Saturday?): since my hair got so long, I do not shampoo it every day. Some days I put on a shower cap and it makes my showers a whole lot quicker. I suppose most readers are not interested in my follicular gyrations, so I’ll shut up now (but only about that).

One reason I wanted to go for my run early was to see the full harvest moon. I love the moon! Actually, any time of the month I enjoy to start my run in the dark and end it in the light, but the full moon was a definite added attraction. I saw it from my upstairs hall window when I first got up and said, “Yes!”

As I ran toward German Street, I could just see it disappearing behind some trees. Damn! I ran down Germany, hoping for a break in the branches. I ran faster than I normally would have, because I was afraid the moon was setting and I would miss it entirely. On I went, catching flashes of it now and then. Oh wait, that was a street light. Damn! Up the hill by Valley Health, would I have better luck in the suburbs? That is what I call the residential area behind Valley Health, next to Herkimer College (formerly known as HCCC).

Into the suburbs I went. Oh, there was the moon! If I could just get to the end of the street I was on, I could see it beyond those trees. Aaaand, it disappeared behind a house. Stupid house! I turned a corner and kept hoping. I could almost see it as I approached what I thought was the end of a dead-end street, then discovered the street in fact turns into the parking lot of a church. There was the moon!

Running into the parking lot, I could see the full moon in a break in the trees. Beautiful! I turned my head to keep seeing it, knowing that was not the brightest thing to do. My knee still has a scar from when I was looking at somebody’s yard and tripped on the sidewalk (these things take a long time to heel when you are my age) (middle). I looped around and admired the moon some more. Luckily it was a smooth parking lot.

Well, look at me, approaching 600 words. I guess my Lame Post Friday post morphed into a Running Commentary. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. For one thing, I wanted to share my story about the moon. I am off now to plan my Saturday of adventures. I hope to make a blog post ab0ut it later.

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Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal, running commentary and tagged blog post, blogging, full harvest moon, full moon, lame post, late post, non sequitur, running. Bookmark the permalink.

Columbo, Can You Help Me Now?

Posted on August 29, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am not having a Wrist to Forehead Sunday today for the simple fact that I am too tired to raise my wrist that high. Wow, how pathetic is that? What a big, lazy baby I am! I mean, how much trouble is it to swoon dramatically? Too much, apparently. So I sit on the couch, trying to make some post, any post.

“One more thing.”

As I type (one letter at a time with the stylus), I am looking at an episode of Columbo on DVD. I love Columbo.

Earlier today I went for a run. I went grocery shopping, made some things for my week’s lunches, and fixed a tasty dinner for my husband, Steve, and me. I suppose I could have come up with OK blog posts about any of those activities. Hmmm… nope. They just don’t move me.

I know, I know, one must not wait for inspiration nor to be in the mood to write. We have been over this. Can I think of anything new to say about it? How about this: this blog is my hobby. I do it because it is fun. I enjoy it. Sometimes it is more of an effort than others, but I find that I am usually happy that I have made the effort. It is like running in that respect: you have to put up with the crap runs to get to the good ones.

Oh dear, that sounds like some of my blog posts are crap posts. SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

The point I was going for was that I like to blog about what moves me at the moment. At the moment, I do not feel particularly moved. However, I have managed to rattle on for over 250 words. Steven has started another episode of Columbo. I would like to watch it.

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Posted in humor, personal, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and tagged blog post, blogging, Columbo, not writing, running, tired, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

I Run and Blog on the Same Day!

Posted on August 25, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary Post in lieu of the threatened Wuss-out Wednesday. For one reason, I ran. As regular readers know, what I do is called running only by the most generous definition of the term. Then again, generosity is an admirable quality, most of the time.

I was a little later getting started than my usual after-work runs, because my husband, Steve, and I had to drop my car off to be inspected (luckily for me, they are not inspecting it for lack of clutter, but I digress). However, I did not talk myself out of it but put on running gear and set out.

And right away could not make up my mind of where to go. I started to turn right onto German Street but saw a group of pedestrians ahead so turned around and headed left. This set me up for my old faithful weekday run: down German to Caroline Street, then across Park Avenue (ooh!) to Margaret, up Margaret back to German, down Henry, and eventually back home.

When I got to Caroline, I changed things up by crossing the street and continuing on German. I don’t usually do that, because it tends to be a busy intersection. I don’t imagine anybody would hit me, but I like to give myself every advantage.

It was not bad weather for a run, but I found it much more pleasant in the shade. After hooking around German Street near the high school, I chose which streets and which side of the street based on where the shade was. I had it in my head to run for 20 minutes. I am up to 33 on my weekend runs but have only managed 17 during the week. You see, I am building myself back up slowly and gently.

I managed 20 minutes without too much trouble, which makes me feel encouraged about future runs. I might be ready for a 5K by September, if one comes my way. Dare I dream of the Utica Boilermaker 15K in 2023? It’s a possibility!

In the meantime, I am over 300 words and am making my Wednesday blog post ON Wednesday! I feel inordinately pleased with myself.

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Posted in humor, personal, running commentary and tagged blog post, blogging, herkimer ny, running, weather, Wuss out Wednesday. Bookmark the permalink.

But Is It a Reasonably Entertaining Post?

Posted on August 8, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s not easy being me, but it is reasonably entertaining.

That is a favorite saying of mine (one which I made up myself, I add, because I feel rather pleased with it). I do not know if this week’s Wrist to Forehead Sunday post will properly illustrate it, but I can only try. It is after 6 p.m., late in the day for me, at least on a Sunday. It has been a stultifyingly hot and humid day (oh, stop playing that miniature violin; heat is a legitimate problem for me). I have not gotten done all I had hoped. OK, I have gotten done very little of what I had hoped. Why DO I get my hopes up? It is very silly of me.

Where was I? Ah yes, Wrist to Forehead Sunday, the day on which I feel inclined to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead, on the chaise lounge which I hope one day will grace my house. In the meantime, a couch or bed will have to do.

I went for a run this morning (I believe I mentioned it in my Saturday post, which I made late) (why do I insist on calling attention to my numerous late posts?). I have done an unusual two loads of laundry, one clothes, one towels. I went grocery shopping. I went to the liquor (I guess I ought not count that under the heading of Useful Things). I tried to make guacamole (that might be worth a whole blog post). I chopped celery and radishes, made a salad, and fixed tomorrow’s lunch. I washed the dishes I dirtied in doing so.

Well, all of that does not sound reasonably entertaining, even to me. But here is a question: why did autocorrect change “chopped” to “stopped”? Chopped is definitely a word. Why would anybody stop celery and radishes? Points to ponder.

In the meantime, I see I am over 300 words. Reasonably entertaining words? I can only hope. I cordially invite you all to tune in tomorrow, when I hope to make a Pre-Rehearsal Post. All Love’s Labour’s Lost All The Time, remember?

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Posted in humor, personal, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and tagged blog post, blogging, food, Love's Labour's Lost, running. Bookmark the permalink.

I Didnt Miss My Saturday Run

Posted on August 7, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

You have to have the crap runs to get to the good ones. That is what I tell myself, at any rate. Well, it stands to reason. If I stopped running just because it didn’t feel terrific, I would not run very far very often. Sometimes it feels better as I go. Sometimes it feels better by the third or fourth day in a row. Sometimes it feels really, really good when I am taking my cool down walk.

Where was I going with this? Ah yes, trying to make my Saturday Running Commentary Post on Sunday morning. I got lazy as the day went on yesterday and did not make my blog post. It was remiss of me. In my defense, I ran, did some laundry, cleaned parts of my house, and walked for about an hour, all in the sweltering heat and humidity. Oh, stop playing that miniature violin! I wasn’t whining, I was trying to make myself feel better for not posting! It didn’t work.

But I digress. The point is, I am running again, after two months off (at least I walked, and felt pretty good about that, but I think we’ve been over this). I ran last Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday, then yesterday and today. I walked Monday before work. I am still waiting for it to feel terrific, but I have had moments of it feeling not too bad. Sometimes you have to take what you can get.

On the weekday runs, after work, I haven’t asked more than 15 minutes of myself. I met the goal Tuesday and exceeded it Friday (not by much, but still). For the weekends, I thought to start with 20 minutes and exceeded that, too. I went a little further this weekend than last, so I am reasonably content with my progress.

Are there any community runs in my future? I hope so but have as yet not looked too far ahead. At least this gives me something else to blog about. Ooh, look: I AM over 300 words, and it wasn’t about Love’s Labour’s Lost! As always, thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, personal, running, running commentary and tagged blog post, blogging, goals, health, late post, running, walking, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Is It Magic? Or Just Lame?

Posted on July 9, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Three late posts in a row. I wonder what my record is. It would be far too much trouble to check. I can’t be bothered about these things. I am lounged on the couch, pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet, just to give you a picture. I just took a 2-mile walk, and I am contemplating my upcoming day. So much I need to do, so much I want to do, but first, my Lame Post Friday post.

I have very little in the way of brain power this morning (cue jokes about how that is always the case) (but, really, aren’t those jokes a little too easy and obvious and just a trifle beneath you?) (you know who you are). But I have been doing pretty well at posting every day (or do I mean pretty good? How mortifying not to know!) and wish to continue.

That brings up something I have been wondering about myself. I think it was about a week before Memorial Day when I re-started daily blog posts. I am pretty sure it was the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend that I started my daily walks. I remember this, because I had been thinking about walking before work for a while but not done it. The Saturday of that weekend was when I did whatever I did and had to stop running for a while. So I started walking.

OK, that whole paragraph is not what I’ve been wondering. I have been wondering: What do I think is going to happen? Something magic? Is this going to make my life better? Is it going to make me better? Is it even going to help?

I put it under the heading, Couldn’t Hurt, Might Help. Sometimes that is the best we can hope for.

Still, I would like it if something magic would happen. I suppose it needs more than a daily walk and a daily blog. Any suggestions?

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Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, lame post, late post, running, walk, walking, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Wayback Walk after Wuss-Out?

Posted on July 7, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

So yesterday was a true Wuss-out Wednesday as I neglected to post at all. In my defense, shut up, explanations are tiresome. I am sitting at the dining-room-tabletop prior to five Thursday morning, and my main feeling is gratitude for coffee. I went for a half-hour walk so am torn between making a Pedestrian Post and a Way-back Wednesday Post. Since I would like to retain the option of making a Throwback Thursday Post later, I shall attempt the former.

Full disclosure: I still have not upgraded my WordPress account so cannot add new pictures. Here is one from a walk I took in July 2017, making this a Way-Back Wednesday as well as a Pedestrian Post. This is the extent of my ability to multi-task (unless cleaning my oven while I sleep is still a thing) (older readers get that). Fuller disclosure: I did not see this on this morning’s walk, although I did walk by this building. For one reason, it was still dark. However, if I had troubled to look, I could probably report on whether the purple flowers are there once again. I did not. Judge me if you are so inclined.

Here is a funny from a walk in July 2018. It was actually a cool-down walk after a run, just to make me feel a little sad to remember I have not been running since May. I found it on the sidewalk and took it home, taking this picture, because it amused me so much. I told my husband Steve it was probably for him, and his girlfriend had left it there for me to deliver.

I see I have not yet said anything about today’s walk. Oh well, it wasn’t such a much anyways, and I am almost at 300 words (that sentence put it over). I feel oddly pleased with this post, but perhaps I flatter myself. No matter. It’s time to get myself a little more coffee.

PS. Now it is 5 a.m.

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Posted in humor, Pedestrain Post, personal, Way Back Wednesday, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, flowers, husband Steve, late post, running, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Mohawk Valley Girl

Tag Archives: running

Wussed Out and Not Very Way Back

Early Run, Late Blog Post

Lame Post? Running Commentary? Non-Sequitur? Anyways, It’s Late But Here It Is!

Columbo, Can You Help Me Now?

I Run and Blog on the Same Day!

But Is It a Reasonably Entertaining Post?

I Didnt Miss My Saturday Run

More a Scattered Post than a Scattered Sunday

Is It Magic? Or Just Lame?

Wayback Walk after Wuss-Out?

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