Tag Archives: running

I Feel Like a Winner

Posted on June 29, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I haven’t done a Saturday Running Commentary post in a while (yes, I’m too lazy to go back and check; that run wore me out!).  Additionally,  today’s was a run I don’t mind revisiting, at least briefly (yes yes, my Running Commentary posts often run long, but they don’t always) (did you see what I did there? “run long”? Well, I liked it).

Yesterday’s run equalled my last longest time, so I thought I might do a shorter run today, then increase by the recommended ten percent tomorrow.  I could decide as I went.  I carried a bottle of water with me, reminding myself not to drink too much too fast.  Then I reflected that the run ought to be a long one, since I was bringing water.  You see how I talk myself into these things.

I decided to run up the hill by Valley Health then on into the residential area I call the Suburbs.  There are some pretty good hills in that area, and I can easily go by the spring to refill my water bottle on my way back home.

Tiny sips, I reminded myself, and not too often.  This would be fine.  Soon I had made it up the hill by Valley Health. That did not feel so fine.  I called a greeting to two ladies going to work (I surmised by their scrubs).  They waved and one said, “Get that work-out done!” in an encouraging tone of voice.

I ran further into the Suburbs than I have on my shorter runs.  Here was a hill!  As I recalled, it was a long hill.  Just keep going, I told myself. I resisted the urge to turn left and not go all the way up the hill.  Then I saw that I was no nearly as close to the top as I thought I was. Oh no!

There was the right-hand turn which was where I would come out if I kept going straight.  The road goes down then up.  So  I could turn right and go down, then up, then down,  or I could go straight and go up, then down, then up.  I turned right.  I felt I HAD to go downhill at least for a bit.

Bad move, I realized.  This made for a lot longer distance going up.  The snarky voice in my head suggested I take a life lesson about choosing short-term gratification and ending up with longer-term effort.  Then I told the snarky voice to shut up.  It is a win/win situation, I decided.  Either I enjoy an easier run or I enjoy the benefits of a more difficult run.  Additionally,  I intend to run in this area all summer.  I have plenty of chances to run the other way.

Keeping an eye on the time, I ran toward the spring.  I finished the bottle just as I got to it.  By virtue of going a little ways past my house, I increased my run time by 10 percent.  Now THAT is a win/win situation.  Or do I only win once?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

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Blogger Error

Posted on June 29, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

In my defense, I was having a delightful evening watching old horror movies and Dateline with my husband. In my indictment, I knew damn well I had a blog post to make.  I even logged on and was about to make one earlier.  I had gone for a long run and thought to do a Running Commentary post.  Then I felt disinclined to revisit the run verbally.

We had a nice Mohawk Valley Adventure, lunch at Asteroga Ale House with two friends from out of town.  That would have made a fine blog post.  What the hell, me? (I know that expression amuses some readers, as it does me.)

Yesterday my sister Vicki posted a Facebook meme that said, “My entire life can be summed up in the sentence, ‘Well, that didn’t go as planned. ‘ ”  I commented that mine was “Operator Error.”

So we’re going to call this another blogger error, a late, lame post, or whatever else you like.  I will try to post again later in the day,  so I will remain two posts behind instead of slipping on to three.

Here’s a question, although not a philosophical one (regular readers know I sometimes enjoy half-baked philosophy on Lame Post Friday), does anybody remember if I really am two posts behind or am I remembering incorrectly?   Do you suppose I will ever be all the way caught up?  I can only hope.

 

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Late Run, Lame Post

Posted on June 22, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I confess, the days are running into each other such that I have to make an effort to remember where I am in the week.  Nevertheless, I know today is Friday and I shall take the liberty of making a Friday Lame Post (I just love that expression “take the liberty of”).

It was pouring rain this morning, so I thought I was off the hook for running.  However, it stopped eventually, and I felt guilty for not running,  so off I went.  It hadn’t gotten sunny and hot yet.  This would be great.

Unfortunately, when I thought I would not run, I ate something. Then  I did not wait long enough before running. Oh dear!  I felt dreadfully sick to my stomach. I made it a short run, but I sure didn’t feel good about it.

Two highlights on my run.  Early on, a group of men was walking toward me.  They went single file so we could share the sidewalk.

“Training for the Boilermaker?” one asked.

“Not this year,” I confessed.  Another man told me I was doing great, and we went our separate ways.

Toward the end of my run, I went by a neighbor who was having a garage sale and called a greeting.

“I shouldn’t buy any of your stuff, ” I said as I passed, “I have too much stuff already — ooh, movies!”

However, I did not return and buy anything.  No promises for tomorrow,  though.

So for a Friday Lame Post,  I guess this is a kind of a Running Commentary.  Some days I can’t get anything right!

 

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An Unexpectedly Good Run

Posted on June 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a long run this morning and am determined to make a Running Commentary post.  First,  as often happens, I decided I wasn’t going to run.  It was humid, it was going to rain, etc, etc.  Then I went.

I turned right at the end of my driveway instead of going towards German Street as I usually do, just for something different.   I did not intend to run for long; I often have problems breathing when it’s humid.  Besides, it was probably going to rain.

Right away it felt pretty good to run.  Maybe I could rock this after all.  Maybe run a hill, only that meant changing directions, because there aren’t many hills in Herkimer.  Should I or should I not make a detour through Meyer’s Park?   The sight of two dogs decided me.

“Can I pet your dogs?”  I always ask first, although one dog was already approaching me.

“One’s friendly,  one’s not,”  their person said.  I remembered those dogs; I petted the friendly one once before.

Feeling happy, because I love to pet a nice dog, I continued into the park, taking the V back to Park Avenue and heading towards Caroline Street.  I had decided to run up the hill by Valley Health. It took me a while to get there (YES, I run slow, I thought you knew that about me), and I began to wonder how long my run would end up being.  Could I even go for 40 minutes, which was my last longest time?  Extravagant thought!   Just keep running.

The hill wasn’t much fun but I made it to the top and kept going on into the residential area up there.  I kept talking myself into going a little further.   After all, it wasn’t raining yet.  I even went up a minor upgrade, although I avoided a couple more challenging hills.

I stopped at the spring for a quick drink, after some arguments with myself as to whether or not I deserved it.  Who am I to judge these things anyways?  Soon I was back on German Street ,  headed for home.  As I reached Caroline, I saw two friendly dogs I have encountered before, and they were headed in my direction!

“Good morning!” I said. “I’ve petted these dogs before!”

“Yes, we’ve met before, ” the nice young man said, as the dogs jumped at me as if they remembered too.

I made it to 40 minutes by virtue of going around the block of Henry and Bellinger streets.  On Church Street, I saw Chico and Bear, two neighborhood pooches, with their person.  I happily crossed the street to pet them and exchange a few words with their Mom.

As I ran up Bellinger I greeted a man standing in front of his house.

“That’ll make you healthy,” he said.

“Either that or it’ll kill me, ” I answered.

Obviously it didn’t kill me.  Not yet, anyways, and I felt pretty darn good walking my cool-down.  As I make this blog post, the rain is pouring down, so I guess I timed it right.  Time to get on with the rest of my day!

 

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Let’s Hear It For Perseverance!

Posted on June 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I woke up this morning saying, “I don’t want to run.  I’m not going to run.”  I am happy to report that I ran anyways. Now I shall attempt a Saturday Running Commentary post.

One good reason to run was that it was not raining.  Yesterday I thought I was getting out between showers, but it did not work out for me, either when I ran or later when I walked to the post office and Historical Society. Also, today was not windy and cold, altogether a much better day.

Unfortunately,  to begin with, it was not a better run.  My legs felt tired, my whole body felt tired.  I figured I would feel better as I went on, so I,  you know, went on.  I felt I should run a hill so decided to go out Main Street.  There are two chances to turn right and go back down the hill before you have to run all the way out Highland Boulevard (I may have that street name wrong; I haven’t run it yet this year).  I took the second right last time I ran it and thought to do the same today.

As I started up the hill, I did not feel happy.  I almost took the first turn but persevered to the second.  For one reason, my plan was to run for 36 minutes, my last longest time, then up it by the recommended ten percent on Sunday.  I made a long diagonal on the turn.  That was a little steeper but less time running uphill. Ugh.  Am I getting any better at running,  I wondered.

I reminded myself that sometimes my runs did not start to feel good before I had been at it for at least 20 minutes.  I looked at my watch.  Damn.

Fortunately, perseverance sometimes pays off.  My first reward was to pause VERY briefly and smell some peonies.  I had a few chances to do that.  Toward the end of the run, I got to pet a nice dog. And as I neared the 20 minute mark, I did start to feel better.

By the end of the run, I felt perfectly happy about going for 36 minutes.  It was no problem at all to keep going!  I could rock this!  I decided that long runs are the Way to Go (yes, yes, 36 minutes is a short jog for some of you; let me enjoy my little triumph in peace).

I felt glorious walking my cool-down.  Yes “glorious” was the exact word that repeated itself in my head.  I love running.  I hope it doesn’t rain too hard for me to run again tomorrow.

 

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Fourth Time the Charm?

Posted on June 12, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am hoping some of the readers of Monday’s post are curious to know if I once again found that running four days in a row is the Way to Go. I’m afraid I’m still on the fence, but I ran and thought I’d make a Running Commentary post.

The weather reports said it was cooler out today, you’ll need a jacket.  I didn’t go that far, but I did put a sweatshirt on my deck to wear on my cool-down walk if needed, and I made sure to wear a headband to cover my ears.

Right away it did not feel terrific. My legs were not happy and my knees hurt.  What the hell, body? I thought.  However, as long as I had gotten that far, I would continue.   I could make it a short run.  You can do those things when you run a few days in a row.

Kids were walking to school.  Maybe I’ll try leaving earlier next time.  We don’t usually  get in each other’s way, but I feel a little self-conscious,  especially when I am headed in the same direction as them and it takes me forever to catch up. I saw a young woman cross German Street, which was what I wanted to do, since I had it in my head to run up the hill by Valley Health.

My good time to cross made me practically run into her.  She looked amused (I probably do look comical) and wished me a good morning.  As I ran on, I heard behind me a car stop and offer the woman a ride.  From her grateful “Yes, please,” I hypothesized that she was headed up the hill to Herkimer College. I may be running that hill myself later this week.

For today,  however, I contented myself with the smaller hill.  It was enough of an effort at the time.  I continued on into the residential area, avoiding the hills and working my way back in the direction I came from.

As I went, it became not a bad run.  I don’t think I got a dose of endorphins,  but I did feel some of the antidepressant effects of exercise.  My legs settled into things, even my knees,  and my breathing felt OK.

I ended up running for 25 minutes.  As I started my cool-down walk,  I said good morning to a neighbor sitting on her front stoop.

“Good morning,” she answered.  “Do you feel good after your run?”

“I sure do,” I said.  “And the best part is the walk around the block after.”

I did feel good.  I wonder how running five days in a row would feel.  Maybe I’ll see how many days I can go.  As always,  I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Monday Run After Sunday Slump

Posted on June 10, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I missed making my Sunday post, Wrist to Forehead,  Cinema, or other.  I was working on that post about the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.   I’d add more to it, say, “Oh, I can’t do this today,” repeat process.  I think I will be able to finish it today, but in the meantime I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary post.

I worked in the yard rather than run on Saturday (please believe that it was a workout), then surprised myself on Sunday by increasing my run time by the recommended 10 percent, to 36 minutes.  Compared to some of my running friends, that is not at all impressive,  but we all do what we can.

This morning I was feeling tired and inclined to let myself off the hook — after all,  running every other day is acceptable — but then I saw on my Facebook On This Day where I had posted, “Running four days in a row is the Way to Go.”  I thought it would be nice to echo that sentiment.  We’ll see on Wednesday whether or not I do.

In any case, I got out and started.  It did not feel great.  No matter, I was running and intended to keep going.   A short, easy run would be OK. The point was to do it.  Maybe I would feel better as I went along.

Eventually I did feel better.  It did not take long to realize my legs were quietly chugging along as if they knew what they were doing.  My breathing did not feel so great, so I concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths. I felt tired but able to continue.

The highlights of my run were the quick pauses I took to sniff lilacs and peonies.  A couple of times I had to take a few steps up a driveway or onto a lawn, but I felt sure nobody would mind.  Beautiful sights, sounds, and smells are to share!  At least so I believe.

Going up one street, a young man was sharing his music.  It wasn’t my favorite kind of music, but to each his own.  I passed a number of young people walking to school or waiting for the bus.  It’s a new thing for me to be running at this time on a weekday,  but never mind that.

I ended up running for 30 minutes.  I thought that was OK. I’m halfway to the aforementioned fourth day on a row!

 

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Blame it on Keith Morrison

Posted on June 8, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

A bad post is better than no post at all.

A bad run is better than no run at all.

These are both statements I made during this week.  I thought they might be worthy of some half-baked philosophy suitable for Lame Post Friday, but now I am not so sure.  Now it seems to me they are pretty self-explanatory truths.   Not even truisms, if you see what I mean.

Obviously not everything is better bad than none at all. For example,  husbands (I need hardly say that my husband is a GOOD husband, far better than none at all) (yes, wives too, I do not mean to be sexist. Sheesh!).  Where was I?

Ah yes, Lame Post Friday,  and I do intend to post lame.  Incidentally,  looking again at the second paragraph of today’s post,  I feel obligated to say, today’s run was not bad at all.  Yesterday’s and Wednesday’s were not so great,  but, well, you know, as I said.

I completely forgot where I was going with this.

I am obsessed with Dateline.

I panicked and looked for an illustration to pep things up.  In fact, I want to stop blogging and knit while watching TV.  Isn’t that what Friday nights — indeed, any night — are for?

He is fine, yes.

Keith Morrison is my favorite Dateline host.   His voice is marvelous. And I am missing one of his episodes! We can’t have that.

So this is my Friday Lame Post.  At least I am over 200 words.

 

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A Little Walk, a Little Post

Posted on June 5, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a walk with my Tablet and the specific intention of making a Pedestrian Post.  The other reason was that I had not gone running this morning and thought exercise would be a good idea.

When I ran yesterday, I was struck by some overgrown bushes with overgrown grass opposite.   It was not a problem to run through,  but there would not have been room for two abreast.  I reflected that when I was a kid, I would have pretended it was a tunnel.

I had a vivid imagination as a child. I guess I still do.

I turned onto Church Street and walked towards my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.   First, however, I passed Temple Beth Joseph Synagogue and admired their rhododendron bush.

At least as good as mine if not better.

Next I noticed one of those garden balls I have always liked, in front of a nearby house.  I read a great thriller in which one was figured prominently.

One day I’ll have one in my garden. When I have a garden.

I turned down Main Street at the Four Corners and walked to Basloe Library.  Some major construction is going on there, so I took a couple of  pictures.

I made sure to get the sign in one.

 

I made a mental note of days the library will be closed.

When the construction is completed, I will have to do a whole post about it.  I was at Basloe yesterday (I should have made a post about that!), and it looks like great changes are in store.

My walk was not that long, but I enjoyed it.  Tomorrow I hope to go for a run.  A woman my age needs to keep up on her exercise!  And her blog posts.

 

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Not Much of a Run, Not Much of a Post, Happy Memorial Day

Posted on May 28, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I ran this morning, wearing my ARMY t-shirt so I could run in honor of our fallen veterans.  I thought I might make a blog post about it. Just now I thought I couldn’t,  but let’s give it a try.

I knew it was warm.  For one reason, I didn’t get out till 7 a.m.  However,  that meant I had some coffee before running.   That sometimes helps.  It helped today.

In previous runs to honor fallen soldiers,  I ran up to the Veterans Memorial at Herkimer College.   I was not up to that today.  Still, I thought I should make an extra effort.  I decided the hill by Valley Health would suffice.  I’m sure a greater effort would have been a greater tribute,  but one does what one can.

I actually felt it was a pretty good run.   I went for 30 minutes,  which was up ten percent  from last week (full disclosure: I ran for 30 minutes yesterday).  I stopped and petted two nice dogs.

While we’re being honest (referencing that full disclosure in the previous parenthetical comment)  it is becoming evening and I have been drinking since before noon.  In my defense,  I put in great efforts in yard work.  I don’t know that I achieved great results,  but is that really the important thing?

Is not the important thing that I have made a blog post on the third day of a three day weekend?   It has not been a Monstrous Monday and it hasn’t been a Running Commentary post.   But it has been a post.

You can judge me if you are so inclined.   As always,  I try for a better post tomorrow.   I hope you are all having a delightful Memorial Day weekend.

 

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