Tag Archives: running

Pre Reindeer Run Post

I had such high hopes of NOT having Lame Post Friday.  I don’t know why; I almost always do have Lame Post Friday,  and I often do not apologize for it.  At least, I have not exactly apologized yet.  However, that line about high hopes might be so construed.

No matter.  Blog posts must be made.  At least my blog posts by me.  I have several things I could make a blog post about.  I hope to make blog posts about them in the coming days.  For right now, though, I think I have used up all my oomph for the day.  All I can do right now is worry about the Reindeer Run 5K tomorrow.

The Reindeer Run 5K is part of the Christmas in Little Falls.  Many sales and events are part of the day.  I hope to participate in some of them after I run.  But first I must run.

Weather reports threaten rain but with warmish temperatures.  By warmish I mean 43 degrees.  45 is my cut off for shorts and short sleeves.  What are they giving me with this 43?  I mean, 45 is obviously an arbitrary cut off. One day I apparently ran in long sleeves and leggings, sweated, and decided it should have been short sleeves and shorts.  Was it 45 degrees?  I don’t remember!

So I shall spend the rest of my Friday night dithering.  Tomorrow I shall make my decision (spoiler alert: I am leaning towards shorts and short sleeves).  I may even write a blog post about it. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Staying in Some Sort of Shape

In my defense, I have not made a late post at four in the morning in a while (OK, 4:16, according to my laptop, if you want to be didactic) (you know who you are) (and yes, I am on my laptop, ten-finger typing.  It’s fun!).  On the other hand, as regular readers know, I am too lazy (or maybe too impatient; is that better? Discuss amongst yourselves) to go back and check these things, so my defense may be a whole lot of hooey.  I can’t worry about these things now.

I felt too sick to my stomach to make a blog post last night.  I expect I ate too much at supper.  It is a sad reflection on me when I am gaining my holiday weight through a mere week-day supper of leftovers.  But it was quite tasty.  Perhaps the run I took helped burn a few calories, but the fit of my pants this morning (and I specifically washed the fat old lady pants for just such an emergency!) would refute that forlorn hope.

Yes, I took a run and fully intended to make a Running Commentary post.  The weather in Mohawk Valley is veering between bi-polar and “Go home, December, you’re drunk.”  I can’t quite remember Monday (I’m having that sort of a week, in case you couldn’t guess), but Tuesday had some relatively high temperatures: 40’s and 50’s, but was supposed to get colder in the evening.  It had rained during the day, encouraging snow melt, so I was a little concerned that it would turn to ice right about the time I wanted to run.

However, I set out around 3:30 p.m., having paused only to put on running gear and throw a load of laundry into the washer (regular readers may recall that is one of my few instances of multitasking).  I wore leggings (nylon long johns which I often wear in lieu of pantyhose, to be exact), my long-sleeved ARMY t-shirt, and a knitted headband.  It was a little warmer, after all.  No need for hat and mittens!

As I have often observed, running after an eight-hour work day is a far different activity from running after a good night’s sleep on the weekend.  Still, one must persevere.  For the main reason, the Reindeer Run 5K is THIS SATURDAY!!!  I felt prepared this past weekend.  I felt distinctly less so yesterday.  You’ll have that, I told myself (one of my favorite phrases of self-encouragement), and, well, persevered.

And it was not that bad of a run.  Some of the sidewalks were bare-ish, but I mostly stuck to the road.  My experiments with running on the sidewalk did not lead to disaster, but my feet definitely did not feel as secure.  I kept to the less busy residential roads but of course could not avoid all traffic. Parked cars were an especial annoyance, but after all, people have to park somewhere.  I hope I am not unreasonable.  I kept left side facing traffic, and stayed over as far as I could without running in deep puddles.

I ended up going for 26 minutes.  I hope that is good enough for maintaining my 5K shape for a few more days (let us not further discuss my actual shape!).  Tonight we have shopping and dinner plans, but I hope to run Thursday and PERHAPS another short run Friday.  And a pasta dinner.  That is my favorite part of a race: carbing up the night before!

 

Great Run on a Gloomy Day

Here is the Running Commentary post I should have made yesterday!   I knew I had to run; I had not run for two days, and the Reindeer Run 5K is a week and a half away.  Additionally, I LIKE to run!  And I like best to run when I am in good shape to do so.  That means running on a regular basis even when I do not feel particularly inclined to do so.

As I left work, however, I did feel inclined to run.  For one reason, it was a grey, gloomy day, whereas yesterday had been bright and sunny.  I love a grey gloomy day.  Steven says I am part Addams (Morticia, not Ansel, of course).  It was not overly cold, either.  The roads and sidewalks were just as much of a mess, but one must deal with these things.

I wore my road-guard vest (that’s a reflective vest, for you civilians), because I knew I would be running in the road where the sidewalks were not plowed, blown or shoveled.  I made sure I was on the left side, facing traffic.  I like to give myself every advantage.  As I started, I remembered the good thing about running on snowy roads and sidewalks:  it takes more effort.  That mean it burns more calories!  Of course I mostly run for entertainment and general health reasons, but a little help towards my weight-loss goals is always welcome.

The run was great.  I was able to spend most of my time on the sidewalk, but I kept mostly to the lesser traveled streets just in case.  I had told myself that 20 minutes would be an acceptable run, then caught a second wind and decided to go for 25.  Then I got confused and ended up running for 26 minutes.

Hmm… this is not the most entertaining blog post I could have written. On the other hand, it isn’t overly long.  I think I’ll chalk it up to Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.  I hope you are all have a swell mid week!

 

Has Wrist to Forehead Sunday Become a Cliche?

A winter storm, or at least winter weather started hitting the Mohawk Valley this morning.  I went running well before the precipitation, although it was frightfully cold.  It turns out I don’t mind running in cold weather. If I had gotten on here earlier and made a Sunday Running Commentary post,  I would be all set right now.  Oh well, that ship sailed, as they say (I have many times observed that one can often get away with using a cliche, if one adds “as they say” or “the proverbial”).

Where was I?  Ah yes, indulging in cliche and trying to make a blog post. I think we can legitimately call this a Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I am feeling a bit swoony on the sofa and I don’t care who knows it.

Clearly this is not me, but I know just how she feels.

I really am sorry to be making yet another post about not being able to make a decent blog post.  I’m afraid it has become the rule rather than the  exception.  On the other hand, I am making my Sunday post on Sunday. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?

Oh dear, is “has to count for something” another cliche?  I would hang my head in shame, but I am pretty sure that IS a cliche.  I bet it is also a cliche to promise to try to do better tomorrow.  How embarrassing!  I’ll have to sprinkle “the proverbial” over this post out of a salt shaker!

But Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

Don’t Walk, Run! At Least Don’t Whine!

My health woes continue, and I am just going to have to keep annoying people about them.  I actually felt a little better today.  True,  I kept saying to myself, “Holy crap, I feel like shit,” sometimes mixing it up a little and saying, “Holy shit, I feel like crap.”  But I did not feel desperately ill all the time.

I hoped I would be able to manage at least a short run.  Yesterday  I did not try to run but after writing some post cards tried to walk with them to the post office.  I got about two houses away when my body said, “Oh please, no.”  I cravenly turned around (no autocorrect,  I do not mean “gravely” when I typed “cravenly”).

I can see I am still not back up to blogging ability.  I just spent two paragraphs whining about being ill (ill, not I’ll, dammit!), and I haven’t even gotten to my run yet.  Maybe I should throw in a picture,  so this post has a shot at some entertainment value.

“Oh woe! Oh anguish!”

This is how I often pose with a headache, but I fear I am nowhere near this skinny.  Maybe if I went on a few more runs.

This was Halloween.

I was looking through the photos on my Tablet for something else for this post when I accidentally hit this one. I like it, though, so it can stay.

OK, today is the second day of a three day week for me.  That means it is Tuesday (the day it actually is), Wednesday (the middle day of the week), AND Thursday (because tomorrow is “Friday”).  That means I can call this a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  Yes!

 

So I Ran Today

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!

 

Scattered and Slacker Saturday

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.

 

Running Commentary Interrupted

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!

 

Great Saturday, Late Post

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.

 

Respectable Run for a Tired Tuesday

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.