Tag Archives: running

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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A Run Worthy of a Post

Posted on July 16, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Rather than my usual Tired Tuesday post,  I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary.   For one reason, I ran up the hill to Herkimer College, an accomplishment which deserves a blog post, I think.

As usual these days, I woke up NOT wanting to run at all.  I always have all kinds of good reasons: I ran yesterday, I should recruit my energies for something else, I don’t NEED to run the Falling Leaves 14K in September… etc., etc.  I usually change my mind after a cup of coffee.  Let’s hear it for caffeine!   Also in favor of running was the weather: it was not raining,  which it is supposed to do soon and for the next several days.

I set off with high hopes.  I have been thinking that longer runs were in order, and a run up a challenging hill would be an excellent idea.  Additionally,  I could post to Facebook that I had run up to HCCC, and my Facebook friends would feel impressed.  Accordingly,  I crossed to the far sidewalk on German Street and turned left.

A young man was walking a block, maybe a block and a half ahead of me.  I wondered how long it would take me to catch up to him.  It seemed to take a while.  It was actually about three blocks.  Is that a lot?  I suppose some of you could have done it in one. I am all admiration, I assure you.  The young man heard me huffing and puffing behind him as I approached.

“Good morning,” I said.  He returned the greeting as he moved over to give me room.  “You know how long it took me to catch up with you?” I added as I ran past him. “That’s how slow I run!”

” Have a good day,”  he said, turning up the next street.

“You too!” I called, running on.

The run had felt pretty good up till then.  The temperature was nice, my body was not complaining.  Then I started up the hill.  It wasn’t long before I started to feel like I Could… Not… Make… It…  I knew this was not the case.  I knew I could and would make it.  But I only knew this intellectually and logically.   I sure wasn’t feeling it!

I reminded myself of the first time I had run the hill.  I had thought I would run up till I had been running for 15 minutes (starting from when I left my house), then I would turn around and go down.  I had the idea that eventually I would make it all the way up.  Well, by the time I got to 15 minutes,  I was too close to the top to quit. So there, keep going,  I told myself

At one point I tried the trick of looking back at how far I had come.  This works best if you do it after you are halfway up, which I knew I was.  Yes, I had come far, but looking back down gave me a little vertigo.  Yikes!  At last I was all the way up and ready to go back down.

As I ran toward the back road down, I realized I had run by a Do Not Enter sign, where there was one of those triangles at a wide T intersection.   I ran back and ran by it, entering where it said not to.  It added a little more distance to my run and solidified my rebel cred.  Yes, yes, I know, by the rule Left Side Facing Traffic I should have been running there. It amuses me to enter where the sign says not to and pretend I’m a rebel.  I have to get my laughs where I can.

After running down the hill, I backtracked to Lou Ambers Drive and got a quick drink at the spring.  Then I continued on home for a 42 minute run.  I did not immediately go on my cool-down walk but opened the garage and hauled out the non-power mower.  I spent a good 20 minutes huffing and puffing behind that, once again taking advantage of the time before the rain.

Eventually I got to my cool-down walk.  Phew!  I felt that I had gotten a work out.  I think I’ll be up for the Falling Leaves run in September!

 

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Sweat Gets In Your Eyes

Posted on July 9, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

You know, like that blues song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”?  I often think of that when I run so decided to use it as a title for today’s Running Commentary post.

I ran five days in a row then took yesterday off. I was disinclined to run this morning but knew it would be a good idea.  For one reason,  my depression has been kicking my butt lately.  I just feel so sad and down!  Of course, there are many reasons for sadness, in the world and in my life, but sometimes what I feel is is out of proportion.  But one must not give way to despair.  Exercise is a potent antidepressant.  I got myself ready and went.

One way I got myself out the door was to plan a short, easy run.  Not very far, not very fast, I thought.  This would be great.

And it wasn’t bad.  My legs are getting into pretty good shape; they pump right along with few or no complaints.   I stuck to my plan for a 25 minute run, although I actually ran for 26.  Bonus points!  My mood was at its best when I paused to pet a nice dog.

As I walked my cool-down,  a lady came up behind me, walking at a brisk pace, obviously for exercise.  I got out of the way.

“You’re faster than me,” I said.  “I ran, this is my cool-down.”

When she said she didn’t run, I remarked that she was obviously doing something right, because she looked terrific.  She returned the compliment but went on to say she didn’t believe in running.

“It’s bad for your feet, your knees and your back.”

“I know,” I said, “but I love it.”

She said she didn’t understand that at all but told me to keep up the good work.

“You too,” I said, as she handily out-paced me.  I continued my cool-down walk,  blinking against the sweat in my eyes.

The run did improve my mood, as does getting a blog post published this early in the day.  Will I publish again and be one less post behind?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my day.

 

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Running Update

Posted on July 6, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s a Saturday Running Commentary!  You knew I couldn’t spend all my time whining about the difficulty of making posts.  A great deal of my time, but surely not ALL of my time (and you KNOW I feel free to call you Shirley!).  Do you get the feeling I am in a better mood today?  Maybe a little.

I have been running every day since Wednesday.  None of the runs has been especially long, but I have gone a little longer each day.  And I’ve been running a few hills.  I feel I am maintaining and look forward to improvement at a later date.

Hmm… now that I am sitting here typing (on a real computer at Martha Canfield Library, so there’s that), I find myself disinclined to give an actual blow by blow of today’s run, or indeed any of my last four runs.  How about a highlights reel?  Or perhaps just a few thoughts that have, you should pardon the expression, run across my mind lately.

When I run at home, I have been getting up, having coffee, and talking myself into running.  In Vermont, I have been getting out of bed and onto the road.  That is actually the way I used to do it on the weekends, get out there before I well knew what I was doing and could change my mind.  In the past couple of months, however, I have been waking up with my mind pretty much made up NOT to run.  I need that boost of caffeine to get me going.

During the past few days, I have discovered that in fact I do not need the caffeine before the run, and that cup of coffee tastes pretty darn good after a shower.  It’s nice to know I can do things differently and still meet with success.  At least, some might think I could meet with even greater success, say by running faster and further, but I say, one does what one can at the time.  When I was running on Thursday, I reflected that I truly run for myself.  I go the pace I want, I go how far I want.  I don’t have to worry about meeting any standards, and I don’t.  It’s nice.

OK, go ahead and start the lecture about how we set goals for ourselves, push ourselves to do better than we think we can, and meeting standards is an intelligent way to go about things.  Full disclosure:  I will probably not pay much attention, and I will certainly not change the way I run.  I am enjoying it.

 

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