Tag Archives: running

To Fall Or Just To Leave?

Posted on September 8, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess I’ll have to stop apologizing for making late blog posts; I’m afraid it is just going to happen.  Anyways, I thought I would take this morning’s 200 or so words to dither about the Falling Leaves 14K in Utica two weeks from today.

I have long wanted to run that.  I understand it is a beautiful and challenging course.  I need to challenge myself.  In fact, sometimes I even need to Double Dog Dare myself.  So why the hesitation?

Well, for one reason, the race is only 1K less than the Boilermaker.  That is not a distance to be undertaken lightly.  And I would not be undertaking it lightly.   I have been running all summer, slowly building myself up.  I feel that I am in pretty damn good shape (from some angles my actual shape could stand improvement, but I digress).

Basically what happens is all week I feel tired and discouraged.  I think of keeping up my running three to five days a week while working.  I think about driving to Utica and looking for a parking space after luckily finding where the race starts (I know these considerations do not bother some people, but I seem to be more easily intimidated in some respects), and I say, “I just can’t take the pressure.”

Then I go for a long run on the weekend, get all endorphinned up, and say, “This is AWESOME!   I am SO doing the Falling Leaves 14K!”  Yesterday on my cool down walk, I met a neighbor who runs and asked was he doing the race.  He has not signed up yet but has done it in the past and recommends it.  He is a younger guy in great shape.  I daresay he does not need to constantly consider the calendar and calculate how fast 10 percent per week will add up, as I do.

Right now I am in the discouraged portion of my dithering (although I do feel challenged to refute that parenthetical comment about being easily intimidated.  Me? Intimidated? SAY IT AIN’T SO! ). However, I have not gone on this morning’s run yet.  I expect I will feel differently then.  In any case, I am now over 300 words.  Quite respectable for a late post. I shall now get on with my Sunday.

 

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Deadly Dateline?

Posted on September 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I should totally buy this mug.

Earlier today I wondered what I would do to write a blog post about.  Who knew I would spend most of the day watching Deadly Women.  I just love that Candace DeLong.

I did go for a long run this morning.  That could be one reason I feel too tired to do much else.  However, I got a couple of things done. I wrote some post cards (yes,  I usually do that on Saturday, but one cannot always meet the higher standard).  I went to the grocery store.  I made my salad and chopped radishes for this week’s lunches.  And I cooked a late lunch/earlier dinner for Steven and me, saving us from going out or sending out for food.

Really, not a bad holiday Monday, as these things go.  Let’s face it, I can feel bad about what I didn’t do or good about what I did.  Hmm… are those my only choices?  Maybe I don’t have to feel any way at all.  Maybe I can just… be.

Actually, today is Monday, and I am not drinking whiskey.

I can, for example, feel sad about returning to work tomorrow.  Full disclosure: I don’t really.  I feel happy that I only have a four day week ahead of me.  I may feel differently tomorrow morning,  but I can’t worry about that now.

And there’s always this.

Also on the brighter side: today is Dateline day on OWN.  When I’ve had too much Deadly Women, I can turn to a different source of murder and mayhem.  I say it has been a pretty darn good Monday.

 

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Scatterbrained on Scattered Saturday

Posted on September 1, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I completely forgot to make my blog post yesterday.  I have no excuse, or at least none I am going to offer. Instead, I sit here Sunday morning, typing away (one letter at a time with the stylus, because it is just so much more comfortable on the couch), and hoping, as usual, for the best.

I went for a long run yesterday morning, almost an hour.  I do love a long run, because I have a better chance of getting a dose of those endorphins I hear so much about.  I did not seem to get any yesterday, but at least I felt pleased with myself for running so long.  I was thinking about running the Falling Leaves 14K in Utica later on in September.  Right now I am re-thinking it, but we’ll see how I feel after today’s run.

After the run I did a load of laundry, which I hung out on the line.  That and the run were my only accomplishments of the day. However, as my husband Steven and I lounged on the deck, as we did for a considerable amount of time,  it was nice to watch the clothes flap in the breeze.

Eventually we went to Salvatore’s, one of our favorites,  for something to eat.  Back home, we watched a couple of movies.

Hmm… I guess we did not do enough to qualify for a true Scattered Saturday. Oh well, you’ll have that, especially when it’s me we’re talking about.  I must get this published, late as it is, and get on with my Sunday.

 

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Short and Thunky

Posted on August 28, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had two wonderful long runs this past weekend.  Did I write a Running Commentary post about either one? NO!!!  I had a short, thunky run this afternoon.  Get ready for a short, thunky running commentary post.

The easiest thing to do after working all day is to talk yourself put of running.  However, I did not indulge in such craven behavior today but went straight upstairs to put on running clothes as soon as I got home.  I was going to run my usual weekday run: left on German Street to Caroline, then down Caroline, up Margaret, and down Henry for as long as I can stand it before going up Bellinger to home.  I confess that sometimes I do not get very far down Henry at all.

I really did want to run today,  because Saturday’s and Sunday’s runs had felt SO good.  I thought I had my running mojo back and everything was going to be great.  In fact,  I was not particularly surprised to find out I was wrong about that. What do I think I am, a gazelle?  Of course not. I am an overweight middle-aged lady with creaky bones and a bad attitude.

However, one thing I can do is persevere.  At least for a while.  Right away my run felt thunky.  I felt chunky.  And not very spunky.  Sorry, folks, I just felt like throwing in a couple of rhymes just then.

As I reached Caroline,  I realized I did not want to do the run I had set out to do. Traffic was with me, so I crossed Caroline.  I would run to the end of Caroline, which loops around. I would follow the loop.  Full disclosure:  I did not know how long I would be able to persevere.  I had not set out with a definite goal of how long to run. Naturally I hoped that I would hit the I Can Rock This stage and enjoy a medium or even a long run.  I do not ask myself for miracles.

And I did not get miracles.  I did not even get to rock this.  However, by virtue of making a couple of strategic turns, I managed to run for 22 minutes.  I call that not bad for a Tired Tuesday.  And I am over 350 words.  I call that not bad for a Tired Tuesday post.

 

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Somewhat Lame Run

Posted on August 24, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had thought to make a Running Commentary post in lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday post.  I tried all day to psych myself up for a run.  As I worked, I pictured myself jogging down the sidewalk.  Of course when you run in your headp it always feels good, not thunky or breathless.  Then as it got closer to quitting time, lounging with a nice beverage on the deck seemed a better way to go.

Steven was even relaxing on the deck when I got home.  How churlish it would be of me not to join him!  Well, I was churlish enough to get myself into running gear and get going. A short run, I told myself, secretly hoping to end up doing a medium or even a long run once I got going.

It a actually did not feel too bad. I did not run Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday,  although I did mow the lawn on Tuesday (I seem to remember mentioning that in a blog post).  I went for a short run yesterday (which I also mentioned in my blog post). Running the second day usually does feel better, which was one reason I was able to talk myself into it.

It was a short run,  although slightly longer than yesterday’s.  I fully intend to run tomorrow,  which I expect will feel good, since I will run in the morning, not in the afternoon heat after working for eight hours.

I guess I didn’t say too much about the run itself, other than that I did it.  I am going to say that that’s OK for a Lame Post Friday.  I hope to see you all on Saturday.  Scattered?  Slacker?  Otherwise?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my blog.

 

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As the Dew Point Went Down…

Posted on August 23, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

This will be a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  I will briefly tell how I spent my day, slap on a headline that may have nothing to do with anything, and hit Publish.  It has worked before, it will work again!

My second week back at work has not been bad so far,  but I was so ready for quitting time today! On the way home, I had to find a house in Mohawk, NY, which I normally drive through,  to drop off an afghan for a donation for a benefit this weekend.  I just love donating my afghans for such a purpose.  Full disclosure: I like to donate my afghans for almost any reason.

Anyways, it was fun to drive down a couple of unfamiliar streets, and I arrived home not much later than my regular time.

“What’s the plan?” Steven asked.   “Are we going to the wine tasting?” Yesterday I had told him there was a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.

“Right now I am going running,” I told him. “But we’ll probably have time.”

My run was not very long. I petted two cute dogs along the way,  so I called it a success.  As I was drinking my recovery beverage of chocolate milk, Steven told me the wine tasting was only  scheduled till five.

“It’s into the shower with me!” I said.  We got to the tasting in plenty of time.

Our pourer, Devon, and Steve.

After the tasting, we went to the Waterfront Grille, where we had an equally delightful time.

Our bartender, Barbie.

When we got home I realized I wanted three pictures for my blog post,  so I took a picture of the two bottles of wine we had purchased during the tasting.

They reached my ultimate accolade of “Yum.”

I could write more about the tasting and about our dinner, but this is where I am at on Non-Sequitur Thursday.  I hope to see you all on Lame Post Friday.

 

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A Little Tired of Yard Work

Posted on August 21, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

My original plan was to go running and make a Running Commentary post.  However, I decided to spend some time on the lawn instead. This means a lot of walking back and forth behind my non-power mower or standing in one place while I push said mower over the same patch several times. I actually did a combination of the two.

So I think I deserve to make a Tired Tuesday post.  Also, I walked around the yard just now and took a couple pictures, so I also have some illustrations for your entertainment.

I had a hard time getting a good angle.

While I was mowing, I noticed a couple of Black-Eyed Susans some distance away from the main patch.  Perhaps I should have taken a wider shot as well, to show how far away they are. Unfortunately,  I am too tired and lazy to go back out into the hot sunshine.  I am currently lounged in the shade on the deck, with my feet up.  Remember, it is Tired Tuesday.

While I was in the lawn, I checked on the plant with little yellow flowers I included on Sunday’s post.  It seems that something has eaten it!

I guess critters gotta eat too.

Here is the before shot.

I also noticed a tiny wild strawberry and took a picture of it, too.

No, .I did not eat it.

I need to do quite a bit more yard work, but that will be for another day. I also need to go running.  And stop procrastinating.  So much to think about on a Tired Tuesday!

 

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I Ran, Can I Complain?

Posted on August 16, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It has been a while since I made a Running Commentary post.  This afternoon I ran for the first time in three day.  I have not missed three days in a row for a while.  It was one thing I have felt pleased with myself about recently, that I have been running regularly. Well, when you don’t have to go to work in the morning,  it is easier to run.

I knew it would be more difficult to talk myself into running after work.  I did not even attempt it on Monday.  Tuesday and Wednesday I tried and failed.  Today, I was determined not to lose the progress I have made.

Afternoon running is more difficult for me than morning running.  For one reason, I work on my feet all day.  In addition to being tired, I have that little devil that sits on one shoulder whispering, “You got plenty of exercise today!  Just look at all the walking you did at work!” I resolutely ignored that bastard.

My other problem is that it is hot and sunny in the afternoon.  Some people LOVE hot weather.  I am not one of them.  Today I resolutely ignored myself and got going shortly after work.

And I did not enjoy it.  I appreciated the occasional breeze or patch of shade.  I tried not to mind the sweat dripping down my face, although it did sting when it got in my eyes.  Ouch!  I tried to blot them with my sleeves,  which helped a little.

It was not a long run, but I did it.  Sometimes my stubbornness is my most useful quality.  As I ran up my street at the end of my run, I waved at some neighbors on their porch.  One lady yelled at me that it was too hot for running.

“You are SO RIGHT!” I answered.

I have run in hotter, muggier weather, and I will undoubtedly do so again.  I may write blog posts about it. I do not promise not to complain, but I may write a Lame Post Friday post about what a big baby I am.

 

 

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Running Behind

Posted on July 30, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I didn’t make a Monday post.  I will attempt to make two today, beginning with a Running Commentary on the run I took this morning.

I did not run Sunday or Monday with the result that I certainly did not feel like running today.  I resolutely ignored the feeling, although I did have some coffee and water before I actually got out the door.  As soon as I had running clothes on, I felt better about the whole idea.

My plan was to run up the hill by Valley Health.  I have not been running as long or as many hills as I would ideally like to.  Still, I did not want to jump right into a super long run up the hill to Herkimer College.  I had not made up my mind how long to run; my current minimum is 25 minutes, but I did not rule out going further if it felt good.

As I started, it didn’t feel bad.  I headed up German Street with optimism.  I was on the side of the street that has more of an upgrade.  All the better, I thought, more effort, more improvement, more calories burned.  Then I got a little tired.  No matter, I told myself.  Persevere!

I could not continue as I had planned, because the sidewalk was closed for construction.  Accordingly, I turned up Maple Grove.  I ran into a lady I know from the library and from a meeting about Herkimer Diamond Days (perhaps you read my blog post about it).  We said good morning, and she reminded me there is another meeting tonight.  I hesitated,  running in place.

” I may not be able to help after all,” I said, adding that I would contact the lady in charge.

We went our separate ways.  I must remember to message that lady.  Or perhaps I could go to the meeting and at least make a blog post about it.  These thoughts entertained me as I ran, taking my mind off the hill I was on.  It was not much of a hill to begin with, but my body really feels these things lately.

I ended up running two hills, entering against one Do Not Enter sign, and continuing for a total of 25 minutes.  My cool down walk was slightly longer than usual, because I put the trash containers away then walked back out front to retrieve the newspaper.

As usual, I felt happy I had run, at least for a short time.  Now I am feeling awfully tired, but we’ll blame that on the hot and humid weather.  Which sounds better than my own laziness.  I certainly hope I will not be too lazy to make another blog post later.  I do not want to be another post behind.

 

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To Doodah or Not to Doodah

Posted on July 19, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title while I was running this morning, and I like it.

The Doodah Parade is part of the Ilion Days festivities in Ilion, NY.  Full Disclosure: the Days have been going on since July 13, and I have missed them all so far.  What the heck was I doing last weekend? Probably drinking wine.  Judge me if you so choose.

Anyways, for the last three years I have participated in this deliciously named parade with Ilion Little Theatre.   Last year I was a wizardry witch.  That is, I wore the silly wizard costume I had worn in May for a March of Dimes event but paired it with a silly witch hat I have had for some years.  And I had two wands, because my friend Kim gifted me one that day.

Me at last year’s parade.

 

The previous year I dressed as Dorothea Doodah, a character of my own invention.  The first year I participated I dressed as a pirate.  I don’t have any pictures of the other Doodahs, but I may have one of me as a pirate, when I revived the costume for a parade in Little Falls.

I’m the one on the right.

Clearly my main problem with being in the parade tomorrow is that I must come up with a costume. Of course it is perfectly acceptable to repeat a costume, but it is more fun not to.  I could probably come up with something.

Also on the Don’t Do It side is my desire to run in a 5K in Ilion on Saturday.   Many people can do both.  I am not of their number.   Again, judge me if you will. I felt after my run this morning that I am in fine 5K shape.  And so I dither.

My silly wizard costume, which I include for your further entertainment.

I have really been enjoying running lately.  But I always enjoy dressing up in a costume.  Could I do both?  Will I end up doing neither?  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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