Tag Archives: running

So I Ran Today

Posted on November 21, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary post in lieu of my usual Wuss-out Wednesday.  For one reason, I knew it would be a really good idea to run, with the Reindeer Run 5K a mere three weeks away.  For another reason, I enjoyed my weekend runs SO MUCH, I wanted more. I knew, however, that I was not guaranteed more.  Mid-Week runs are often less fun.  And yet, they are an evil that must be endured.

Originally I had thought to do what I often do during these runs:  put a load of laundry in the washer, run, then put it in the drier before my shower.  Unfortunately,  I felt too tired to do both laundry and run.  Run won.  I could not and did not promise to run very far.  Twenty minutes would be good, fifteen would be acceptable,  less might be settled for.

Right away it was not a fun run.  My body did not want to participate.  As usual in these cases, I persevered.  I reminded myself that I had taken two days off, never the best idea.  I turned left instead of right onto German Street as I had planned. I most often turn left and thought an unfamiliar route would feel less onerous.

My strategy worked.  I was narrating in my head as I ran, always a helpful technique for me. For one reason, I mentioned in my narration how the run got easier as I went.  I knew I could make 20 minutes, and I soon felt I could do more.

I made it for 25 minutes, which I felt pretty good about.  And now I have a blog post. Phew!  Happy Wednesday,  everyone!

 

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Scattered and Slacker Saturday

Posted on November 17, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

A pause in my Saturday gyrations to make a Scattered Saturday post.  I went for a run this morning,  thinking to do a Saturday Running Commentary post.  It was a pretty good run.  I am looking forward to the Reindeer Run 5K in December in Little Falls NY. But I need to do Running Commentary posts sooner after the run.

Later in the morning, Steven and I went to a Craft Fair at the Ilion- Frankfort VFW, sponsored by the Ladies of the Moose, who no longer have a lodge.  We returned later with our friend Kim.  There was also a stop at Stuff the Bus, a drink at the End Zone Pub and Grub and some wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor, all in Herkimer.

Well, this is what happens sometimes on a Saturday (oh, OK, other days as well).  I am too tired to make a decent blog post.  I want to get on with the bra off, sweats on, wine drinking, movie watching, couch sitting, knitting or crocheting portion of the evening.  Is that too much to ask?  Perhaps it is.  No matter.  For what it is worth, this is my post for the day.  I hope you will all tune in tomorrow.

 

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Running Commentary Interrupted

Posted on November 12, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I made a doctor’s appointment, so maybe I can stop having Blogger’s Sick Days.  In the meantime,  I will try to make some semblance of a post.

Yesterday I did not mention it, but I had intended to make a Running Commentary post.  I started the day feeling better than I had on Saturday, and I am still hoping to participate in the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls next month. I donned leggings and a long sleeved running shirt, added a hat and gloves, and off I went.

And it was a pretty good run.  My legs felt OK, my breathing was good, I was pleasantly surprised.  Another thing I forgot to mention was that I had not gone running since last Saturday (judge me if you are so inclined).  This was all right!

So there I was, calculating how long I felt I could continue,  then adding 10 percent per week, picturing the calendar… the usual mental mathematics in which I often indulge while on a run. Then it happened.

I don’t know what I tripped on, but down I went!  One knee, then the other, then both hands at once.  Ow!

I stood back up, saying, “Ow, ow, ow,”  briefly considered started to run again, realized this was not going to happen, started limping towards home, puncturing each step with a pathetic “Ow.”  I looked around, hoping for a passing car or pedestrian.  If the latter, I would have asked them to call my husband to come get me.  If the former, I may have asked for a ride home.

Of course, no such helpful bystanders were available at that time on a Sunday morning.  It’s just as well, because my knee stopped being so painful after a block or two.  I guess walking it off is really a thing.

One knee was just a little skinned, but the one I came down on first had a big bloody spot.  However, it was not dripping blood, so I counted my blessings.  I had a bandage big enough to cover it, so the blessings continued.

I posted my mishap on Facebook, nobly refraining from taking a picture (I never like looking at other people’s bloody pictures), in what I admitted was a pathetic bid for sympathy.  I got some.  People are nice.

My knee still hurts today, and partway through the day I realized my arms and shoulders were aching.  This is what happens when middle-aged ladies wipe out on the sidewalk!  I’ll try to be less of a klutz in the future.

In the meantime,  I see I have a blog post of over 400 words.  Let that encourage me for future posts.  Happy Monday, everyone!

 

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Great Saturday, Late Post

Posted on October 27, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

What a Scattered Saturday I had!  It included everything but making my blog post (I bet you thought I was going to say “everything but the kitchen sink”)!  So here I am, up earlier than usual on a Sunday morning, trying to take up the slack.

I got up earlier than usual yesterday morning, too, with the result that I went running in the dark.  I had last run on Thursday, and that run was terrible. It had me questioning my ability to make the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December.  Well, not seriously questioning it.  More like questioning how well I was going to run it.

Well, yesterday’s run was AWESOME!  I felt my running mojo was BACK!  I even added 10 percent to the length of my run, which I had not planned to do till Sunday.  I thought it would be a great run to make a Running Commentary post about.

Unfortunately,  when I got home, I had a headache.  I felt rather ill-used about this, especially since I had purposely NOT tied one on on Friday (despite making my blog post about wine).  I had a volunteer commitment at 10 (please be there by 9:30), so this was a problem.  I took some OTC painkillers and heated up my face thing.  I have this face mask with herbs my Mom got me. You heat it in the microwave and lie down with it.  It’s not always the miracle I’m hoping for, but it always feels good.

The headache didn’t entirely leave me, but I was ready at 9 when my friend Kim picked me up to go to the Character Brunch fundraiser for RCIL.  I will definitely write more about that later, with pictures!

After I got back home,  Steven and I went out to the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer for a late lunch.  Another fun time I hope to write more about! Then it was home and on to the Halloween movie watching portion of the day.

Alas, this was when I fell asleep.  Not right away, of course.  I knitted, finishing a Halloween colored scarf, and enjoyed some Halloween entertainment.

And now I have completed another late blog post.  I am quite determined to make my Sunday blog post today.  We’ll see how I do.

 

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Respectable Run for a Tired Tuesday

Posted on October 16, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went running today in hopes of making a Running Commentary post.  Also in hopes of burning a few calories and getting closer to my weight loss goals.  Well, I blew the progress toward the weight loss goals by eating a few very delicious treats.  I have no regrets. Let’s see how I do on the blog post.

I did not get right to the run, as I prefer to do.  In fact,  I thought I had talked myself put of it.  Instead, I found myself putting on running clothes and gathering a load of laundry. My favorite multi-task is to out a load in the washer and run while it washes. Actually,  it is one of my only multi-tasks. Most of the time I can barely task, but let us not discuss my shortcomings.

Soon I was plodding down the sidewalk, feeling as if I had not run for days.  It has only been two, but I have not been running nearly enough.  I made up my mind to continue.  For one reason, I couldn’t take my shower till the washer was done.  This is why it is my favorite multi-task.

It was a beautiful warm, sunny day.  Perfect fall weather.  I enjoyed looking at the changing leaves and at people’s Halloween decorations.  I also enjoyed looking at my shadow when the sun was behind me.  How slender I looked!  What legs!  Of course, the angle of the sun elongated me into a far more flattering silhouette than I deserve.  Never mind that; it kept me running.

It was not all that good of a run.  For the most part I was tired and wanted to stop. However, I persevered for 24 minutes plus a 10 minute cool down walk.  I consider that respectable for a mid-week run.  Similarly, this post is now 300 words.  I say, respectable for a Tired Tuesday.

 

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Scattered Saturday In Progress

Posted on October 6, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

If I don’t make my blog post now, I will probably miss today.  But what to write a blog post about, that is the question. I actually have a few possibilities, but none currently move me.  Oh, I know, I know: one must not wait for “inspiration” nor yet write what one “feels like” writing.  Well, this blog is my own personal hobby for my own entertainment and enlightenment…

Oh, that feels like a terribly selfish thing to say.  I hope nobody stopped reading in a huff.  Of course I also write for the entertainment of others; otherwise why publish on the internet for all to see?  OK, let’s try to entertain.

I went for a run this morning.  It was chilly but not too bad.  My favorite part was seeing people’s Halloween decorations.  Back home I wrote a few post cards. I waited till nine to take them to the post office, so I could continue on to a rummage sale at Christ Episcopal Church in Herkimer, NY (where I live).

Later on I left the house again.  I stopped at Hot Spot Salon and Spa to drop off a flier for Fabulous and Fatal,  the murder mystery to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  I was at the Hot Spot last night getting a haircut and pedicure.  I’m quite beautiful now, or do I flatter myself?

Later on, my husband, Steve, and I went with our friend Kim to taste wine at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer. Yum!

In a short while, I have to get ready for Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park in Utica, the fundraiser I mentioned yesterday.  Incidentally, I am sipping Pumpkin Spice coffee from Utica Roasting as I type this.

I hope to take some pictures later of the fundraiser.  I hope I won’t have too much of a Wrist to Forehead Sunday to make a post.

 

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Beer, Wine, Pizza and a Late Blog Post

Posted on September 29, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

There I was, all pleased with myself for making Friday’s post on Friday,  and now here I am, making Saturday’s post on Sunday.  Raise your hands, everybody who saw that coming.  I, for one, did not.

Yes, every time I try to turn over a new leaf, I think I will succeed with no backsliding.  You would think experience would teach me something.  But there is no point in repining, nor in making another post lamenting the fact that it is late.  How about a fast Scattered Saturday post?

I went running early, before it was completely light out.  My two favorite times of day are when it’s not quite light and when it’s not quite dark.  It was not a long run, but it felt good.

After a shower and breakfast, I headed to New Hartford, NY, to Party City.  I did not find the 1920’s wig I sought (at least not for the price I was willing to pay),  but I bought a lot of other cool stuff. I went straight home, having enough time to write my post cards and get them to the post office before it closed.

The adventure of the day was going to Heelpath Brewing Company at the Frankfort Marina.  I shall certainly write more about that.  Then we went to Fratelli’s in Frankfort for some pizza , another place I’ve been meaning to check out.

That was enough excitement to give me a whanging headache, which was why I just couldn’t make my post.  Was it too much beer and wine?  Perhaps the combination of beer, wine, candy and pizza?  I will enjoy my pleasures in more moderation today and hope to make Sunday’s post on Sunday.

 

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Missing Mojo on Tired Tuesday

Posted on September 25, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a vague idea of making a Running Commentary post today.  It was another reason to get myself out the door and moving.  I seem to have lost my running mojo without taking an extended break from it, as I have in the past.  I have run both weekend days every weekend within recent memory, until this past weekend.  Once again I have to ask, What the Hell, me?

Oh let’s be honest, I have lost all kinds of mojo lately: running, writing, housework, theatre… do I have any other kinds of mojo?  Unfortunately I do not see how I can write about my missing mojo without sounding like a whiny baby.  I don’t know why I worry so much about sounding like a whiny baby,  especially since that is what I must sound like more often than I admit.

Where was I? I sat down with my Tablet with all good intentions of making a Running Commentary post.  I guess the road to bad blog posts is paved with good intentions.  So here I am with yet another foolish blog post.

I point out to my vicious inner critic that I did run today, and for further than I thought I would (not a vast amount, but I did demonstrate perseverance) and I did a load of laundry.  And now I have done a blog post of at least 200 words.  Wasn’t I saying earlier this week that I must learn to write despite whatever is wrong with me?  It is true!  Mojo or no, I shall persevere!

 

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Can I Rock That Run?

Posted on September 18, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I decided about twelve times today that I would or would not run the Falling Leaves 14K in Utica, NY, on Sunday.  I quite amused one of my co-workers with my dithering.  One problem I had was that I was not feeling well today.  How can I run a 14K when my legs feel like overcooked macaroni, I whined.  Another co-worker told me there was nothing wrong with me and I should run the race.  How would he know?

In any case, I knew it would be a good idea to go running after work.  For one reason, I succumbed to the temptation to eat a candy bar.  Somebody’s kid was selling them to raise money for some school thing.  One must support youth and education, after all.  I know, I could have donated the dollar and left the candy bar.  In fact, I did not eat the first candy bar I purchased but saved it in my lunch box for Steve.  Later on I got another and ate 3/5 of it (it had five little sections).

This is a long introduction to a Running Commentary post,  but that is all right, because the run was really short.  After some difficulty getting dressed (missing bicycle shorts, inadequate sports bras, you know how it goes), I set out with no great hopes of a good run.

Oh, don’t go lecturing me about how we can control our lives if we just think positively.  I have started plenty of runs with sky high hopes that ended up in the metaphorical toilet.  Likewise, I have started out grumpily and had a lovely time.  In this case, all I can say is I did my best.

I never reached the I Can Rock This stage.  However, I kept going for 22 minutes as well as my usual 10 minute cool down walk.  I am thinking this is not the run of a body that is ready for a 14K.  Of course I will feel differently on a weekend morning,  especially if I carb up and don’t tie one on the night before.  But still.  When I have run the Boilermaker 15K, my body has felt better a week before the event.  Could I be getting old? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

Before making this post, I went on Facebook and onto the Falling Leaves page.  I have till Thursday to register online.  I could still register Saturday at the Sneaker Store in New Hartford or Sunday in Utica before the race.

Full disclosure: I looked at pictures of the starting line from previous years and wanted to cry.  Can I drive to Genesee Street, find a place to park, figure out where to go, deal with running in a crowd (although it would not take long for the crowd to leave me far behind), etc., etc.?

It is difficult to properly assess my feelings on Tired Tuesday.  Then again, are my feelings the important thing here?  I’m afraid that whatever I decide, I will wish I had gone the other way.  On the brighter side, there is always next year.  In the meantime,  I dither, I dither.

 

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Who, Me? Run?

Posted on September 11, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I went for a run this afternoon, describing the way I move in a most generous fashion. I am still dithering about the Falling Leaves 14K,  and today’s exercise did not further incline me to take the challenge. However, one must take the bad runs to get to the good ones.  I do not despair.

After work I got myself into running clothes and out the door before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.  Earlier I had entertained wild thoughts of running up to Herkimer College.  After all, I am running over an hour on the weekends.  Surely I can handle more of a challenge during the week (I am calling myself Shirley in this context).

A few steps down the sidewalk I thought I was not up to any challenge whatsoever.  I wondered if I was even up to a lousy 20 minute run.  Nevertheless, when I had the chance, I crossed German Street.  This put me on the path to a few different hills. I thought I could manage a hill. A small hill.

I ran up the hill by Valley Health.  As I ran up it, in fact, on the last few times I have run up it, I reflected that it is not an inconsiderable hill. I really must take a walk with my Tablet and take some pictures of these hills.  My readers will either say, “Why, yes, that is a hill,” or “What a wuss!  That’s no hill!”

When I got to the top of the hill, my legs felt like overcooked macaroni!  And I was less than eight minutes into the run!  Crap!  I continued, hoping to avoid any more major upslopes.  There are some really good hills in that area.  I hope to run them again but was not into it today.

As I ran on, eventually my legs started to feel a little better.  I reminded myself of how I sometimes don’t hit the I Can Rock This stage till a good 20 minutes into the run.  I further reminded myself that I have found I can keep running for just about as long as I decide to.

Soon my body was urging me to decide on a SHORT run. I ignored it. My legs felt better or worser by turns, but I persevered and ended up running for 26 minutes.  I did not feel terrific on my cool down walk.  When I took my shower, I wished I had one of those old lady stools so I could sit down.

So, yes, I can be a big baby about these things.  I comfort myself by reflecting that (a) I did so run and (b) I made a blog post about it.  Perhaps I can improve on the run and the blog in the future.

 

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