Tag Archives: running

Not Monsters, Makeover?

Posted on May 4, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

It has been a kind of a monstrous Monday. Nothing that bad happened, but my allergies are acting up, and my brain felt like a leaden lump. It does not feel particularly un-lumpish now, but I like to make a blog post.

I went for a short run after work, which I almost never do on a Monday. One reason I went was that it was not raining. I thought it was supposed to rain almost every day this week, although it is possible I misunderstood the forecast, bearing in mind my lumpy brain.

My other reason for running was more philosophical. I want to give my life a makeover but have little idea of how to do it. Vague notions of master plans swirl through my brain (especially at times when it is feeling less like a leaden lump), but concrete steps are elusive. Today I thought to myself: Just do one thing different.

So I ran. Not very far, not very fast, but I did it. And I feel like the same old lump. Was I expecting miracles? I guess not. However, I was hoping for a Running Commentary Blog Post. Can what I have typed in so far count?

Let’s just call this a Monday Middle-aged Musings Post and drive on. I’ll keep you posted on my makeover, whether it turns out to be a Master Plan or Just one Thing Different a whole bunch of times.

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I Ran In the Wind, Not Like the Wind

Posted on April 23, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is the thing about running on a windy day: no matter which way I turn, the wind is never at my back. It is kind of a metaphor for life, but let us not wax philosophical. My purpose right now is to make a Running Commentary Post.

I had not gone running since Sunday. I usually let myself off the hook on Monday, I was auguring my toilet on Tuesday, and I have no excuse for Wednesday. I had not planned on running today. Then when I was driving home and saw it was not raining, I thought maybe I ought to. This, of course, is my usual cue to come up with all kinds of good reason not to.

After pretty much deciding not to, I got dressed in running gear and went. It was colder than I had thought, so in addition to leggings and long sleeves, I put on a hat. As I started out, I realized the wind was the real culprit. No matter. Once I get those sports bras on, I’m going.

And it was rough going. My body did not want to move. Even without the wind dead against me (and sometimes it was at an angle), I was moving slowly. I felt sluggish and thunky (yes, thunky, not thinly, autocorrect, sheesh!). But that is to be expected. The important thing is to do it.

It did get a little easier. At least it got a little less onerous. One thing I have learned is how to persevere. I ran for just over 20 minutes, which I felt was OK for a mid-week run. I saw some lovely daffodils in various yards. I petted one sweet dog on my cool-down walk.

The beauty part is, here is a Thursday blog post ON Thursday and NOT whining about how I can’t make a blog post. OK, maybe I whined a little about the run. Judge me if you feel you must.

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Short Run, Tired Post

Posted on April 14, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

My plan was to go for a run so I could make a Running Commentary Post. I accomplished the first part of my plan. Can I manage the second?

My back was feeling pretty sore at work, and my attitude was not in very good shape either. I wondered about taking a walk instead, possibly with my Tablet to get more spring pictures. For one reason, it might improve my disposition. However, I opted for the run.

I put in a load of laundry, my favorite multi-task. Really my only multi-task, since most of the time I can barely task. It was a beautiful warm, sunny day. No question I could run in shorts and short sleeves. This would be great!

It was not great. My body did not want to run. I did my usual trick of telling myself I only had to keep it up for a short time. Twenty minutes, I thought. Fifteen in a pinch. One mile. At the rate I was running, I figured a mile would take me fifteen minutes.

As it happened, I did a mile in barely under 14 minutes. I continued to run till I reached 20 minutes. It never got fun, but it always feels somewhat good to persevere.

I’m afraid I have not persevered to the extent of writing a good blog post. You should hear some of the narration in my head as I go! Unfortunately I cannot remember any if it now. Of course, with that being the case, we’ll never know if it was really good narration. It could have been utter nonsense and I am flattering myself. I shall not waste any energy wondering.

In the meantime, I am over 250 words. I call that more than respectable for a Tired Tuesday Post. I hope to see you all again on Wuss-out Wednesday.

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I Thunked, But I Ran

Posted on March 24, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would make a Running Commentary Post in lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday. For one reason, I was determined to run. All last week I came home feeling too tired and frustrated, mostly frustrated. Intellectually, I knew if I ran I would feel better. Physically, I could not accept the knowledge.

So I ran. Do I feel better than if I had not? I suppose I do.

The run did not start out feeling good. Oh what a difference eight hours of work make! I thunked along like the overweight middle-aged lump that I am. My autocorrect does not think “thunked” is a word, but there I must differ.

At least it was a beautiful warm day. That caused a few problems, as I had to avoid pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. I tried to stay mindful of social distancing.

One other runner passed me, toward the end of my run. I could hear footsteps approaching me from behind, moving a lot faster than I was. This young kid passed me, loping along like a gazelle. He turned to give me a friendly grin and wave as he passed, which I was happy to return.

I did not run very far, and I never run very fast. But I was glad I ran. I’m only sorry that this is not much of a blog post. As I run, I narrate in my head. It usually sounds pretty good to me at the time, but when I get to the Tablet and start posting, I can’t quite make the translation.

No matter. I ran, I posted (or rather, I will have posted, for the more didactic among you) (you know who you are). Sometimes we must be content with the process.

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Everything But the Blog Post!

Posted on March 21, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a real Scattered Saturday yesterday. I went for an early run, starting in the dark and ending in the light. I love to do that. After writing my weekly postcards and puttering around for a bit, I did a little grocery shopping at the Little Falls Food Co-op.

Just a couple of the many items available.

I did not need popcorn but took the picture to remind myself where I can get more. When I got back home I actually spent a little time cleaning the house. Not all that long; I’m not a maniac, after all. By then it had warmed up considerably, so Steven and I took a walk.

Note the red ribbon.

I asked Steve to pose in front of Frankentree for perspective. I put that red ribbon and yellow tulips there back in March, when people were decorating their houses to cheer up passersby during the quarantine. The ribbon was just over my eye level at the time. Our tree is a monster!

Next Steven and I went to Gems Along the Mohawk, so I could buy a few postcards. Then we were feeling a bit peckish, so we drove to Cacciatore’s on Barringer Road in Ilion (where the Moose Lodge used to be). We had a delicious pizza and made some new friends.

Steven suggested I take a picture. They graciously agreed.

We took a different way home and got a little lost. It made for a nice drive over country roads, though, and we ended up in Frankfort. Since we drove right by Heelpath Brewing, we thought we’d just stop in for a glass of Rustic Ridge Winery wine.

One day I want to come with friends and sit at this table.

When we got home, we hung out and watched a DVR’d episode of Svengoolie. And I completely forgot to make a blog post. How silly of me. But if I make another one later today, I will be all caught up. Will I do that? A little suspense adds interest to my day.

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Sunday Run

Posted on March 15, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a run this morning — one of my few useful acts of the day — so I thought I might attempt a Running Commentary Post in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday. Full disclosure: I pretty much feel like swooning, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead, onto a handy chaise lounge. Note to self: obtain a chaise lounge for just such an emergency.

Where was I? Ah yes, about to write about my run. The lovely spring-like weather did not last. However, I am no stranger to running in the cold. I got ready and off I went.

Saturday when I ran, I headed toward Valley Health and ran that hill. Today I turned towards Main Street. Mind you, I was disinclined to run either hills or for very long. But I convinced myself to just go.

I made it up part of the Main Street hill just beyond the Road Closed sign. I have mentioned before how I believe these signs refer to vehicular traffic and not middle-aged ladies shuffling along with various amounts of huffing and puffing.

Soon I was heading back down Steuben Road and stuck to the relatively flat village roads for the rest of the run.

My only question was how long the run was going to be. Saturday’s run was 37 minutes. On Saturday I could not at first remember if I had gone 30 or 33 minutes last week. Note to self: find Running Journal and get back to writing in it. Then I remembered I had gone 34, slightly more than the recommended 10 percent increase. Hence, 37 minutes on Saturday.

After some minutes of wondering, it was soon clear I would do 37 minutes again today. I spent a lot of the run looking at my Garmin and counting how many minutes were left. I make bargains with myself of how long I will wait before looking, then I look anyways.

In other words, it was not the best, most entertaining run. Nor, I fear, is this the most entertaining blog post. I suppose you’ll have that. On the other hand, it is Sunday night. Monday looms menacingly. I hope will not be too monstrous.

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I Go Running

Posted on March 10, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went running today, and I was kind of proud of myself, because I have been having a hard time getting back into weekday runs. It was not a great run, weekday runs rarely are, but it was a good run. I thought in lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday Post, I would attempt a Running Commentary.

I walked to work yesterday and today. I try to do that most of the time, so that the days I don’t run, at least I get some exercise. Monday was cold, but today felt like spring. Actually, today the walk home kind of annoyed me, because the jacket that felt good in the a.m. was way to warm for the p.m. I may have to start shivering in the a.m.

I wore shorts and short sleeves, which I found pretty awesome. I ran on a few sidewalks, where they were mostly bare and dry. I did not run very fast. I did not run very far, although I went longer than the 20 minutes I require of myself on these Just-To-Keep-My-Feet-In Runs.

I passed a few pedestrians. I asked a man pulling a wagon and a woman pushing a stroller for a ride. They laughed but turned me down. I complimented a lady on her cute little dog. I would love to get another dog, but I don’t think I will be able to.

I just noticed I began every paragraph in this post with “I.” How egotistical of me. Then again, this is a personal blog. I could go back and edit, but Tired Tuesday is starting to kick in. I will try to keep my ego in check for Wuss-Out Wednesday. As always, I hope you’ll tune in.

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Some Spring in my Step

Posted on February 25, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

It was a glorious day that felt like spring. Of course, I spent most it inside, wondering if the sun was living up to its promise, as it so rarely does this time of year. However, when the work day ended and I stepped outside, I was elated. It was warm! It felt good! I was totally going to go running!

Many days when I have worked all day, I talk myself right out of it, and Wednesday seemed for a moment to be going that way. I’m tired! I spent all day running around! The snowbanks are still too high; sidewalks are way too messy! Oh hell, no. Those arguments were not going to work.

I did heed the argument about the sidewalks and ran in the road. I wore my road guard vest, because safety first. Additionally, I can put tissues or a handkerchief in the zipper pocket. My sinuses are ever a problem. Of course I wore leggings and long sleeves, but I opted for a knitted headband instead of a hat, and I did not wear gloves. I was so happy to step outside and not feel freezingly cold. This was going to be great!

And it was, kind of. I have not been running after a day’s work in a while. It certainly feels different from a run on a weekend morning. My legs were soon complaining. I ignored them. I also seemed to be running very slowly. I declined to worry about it.

The real problem was all the snow. The snowbanks encroached on the road, and the puddles from their melting made it even worse. I did not encounter much ice, though, so that was good. I tried to stay on less busy streets, but I still encountered some traffic. I made sure to give the thank-you wave to everybody who slowed down and/or moved over.

I had been thinking that this was the sort of day when, back in my misspent youth, I might have been out on a porch with friends and beer. Of course it was not really warm enough for such activities, but we never let that stop us. I saw several people out running or walking. Then, closer to home, I saw a few people on a porch, their kids playing in the snow, and a fellow I know standing in the driveway with what looked like a beer in is hand. Awesome!

“It’s a great day for a porch party!” I yelled.

“It’s a great day for a run!” the guy on the porch said.

“It sure is!”

And it sure was, snow and puddles notwithstanding. I felt so happy I had run, even it was not too far and not too fast. As I type this, winter has naturally returned to the Mohawk Valley. However, I cling to the promise of yesterday. Spring is coming! Come on, Spring!

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Basil, Beast, Big Chill… Oh Yeah, and Columbo!

Posted on February 22, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went running this morning, thinking I could do a Sunday Running Commentary Post. Fortunately that was not the only reason, because I don’t know that I can say that much about it now. However, I have been having a fairly enjoyable Cinema Sunday, so perhaps I can post about that.

Basil has a clue.

We started with Dressed to Kill, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson respectively. This was how I first encountered Basil Rathbone, not as the horror icon I later found out he was.

“Oh, one more thing!”

We went on to a couple of episodes of Columbo, which we happen to have on DVD. I would like to eventually have the entire series. I loves me some Columbo.

It was scary!

Next I wanted something cheesy, so we went to our collection Attack of the Killer B’s for Track of the Moonbeast. I remembered it from MST3K, if that tells you anything.

Great ensemble piece.

Now we are enjoying The Big Chill, an old favorite with a great soundtrack.

Now I am trying to think of a title to pull this post together. Well, what does anybody want from me on a Sunday afternoon? At least I am up to 200 words and a few illustrations. Time to start looking forward to Monstrous Monday! As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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Cold Sunday Run

Posted on February 8, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I did go running this morning, and oh was it ever cold! I thought I would make a Sunday Running Commentary Post to make it worth my while.

I have not been running during the week lately, which is very bad of me. I walked to and from work three days this past week, but that is only eleven or twelve minutes each way (yes, I look at my watch and check). Well, one does what one can. I strive always for improvement. Hence, running both weekend days and beginning the week with hope.

My thermostat said the outdoor temperature was 17, which is practically 20, so I hoped for the best. At least I found both mittens. They are really good mittens, which I accidentally stole from my sister Diane some years ago.

As it turned out, my hands were my only warm parts. And they got cold when I took off the mittens to blow my nose, which I obvious had to do a lot. Why oh why, did I have to be running into the wind? Why oh why did the wind have to change direction every time I did?

I had told myself I only had to run for 15 minutes. I ran for 20 on Saturday. There is no harm in doing short runs when I have not been running much. I have plenty of time to build up for this year’s Boilermaker 15K.

The cold was really my only problem. My legs, my back, my breathing all felt fine. I was quite discouraged by the weather, because I could not enjoy the run very much. At least the roads were mostly bare.

I kept it up for 18 minutes, which I felt was pretty good. I see this blog post is approaching 300 words, which also ought to feel pretty good. Unfortunately I fear they have been dull words, but I can’t seem to help that. Maybe the cold froze my brain. On the other hand, I can always count this as a Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I hope to see you all again on Monday.

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