Tag Archives: running

What a Sunday!

Posted on April 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, if I do my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post now, I will only be one blog post behind.  I had wild thoughts of doing three posts yesterday or today, but, well, you can guess how that went.  Anyways, I have had a busier than usual Sunday, giving me a real reason to swoon (posing dramatically with the back of one wrist on my forehead, of  course).  It also might make this a Scattered Sunday post.  You decide.  I’ll just keep typing.

I went for a run this morning.  I multi-tasked by putting in a load of laundry before I left.  No hills, and I only ran for 25 minutes.  Once again, I wanted to recruit my energies for Mohawk Valley adventures.  I did not feel I had a sufficiency of them yesterday.  However, planning said adventures hit a snag when our internet when out.  Undaunted (it takes a lot to daunt me), I took our new phone book out of the plastic wrap and started to look at the Yellow Pages.  Lots of leads!

Eventually, though, I just decided to drive to Richfield Springs and hope for the best.  In fact, I knew there was a good diner there.  I was hungry, having only consumed my recovery beverage of chocolate milk after my run.  If the diner wasn’t good to write about, at least I could eat.  Well, I think Cassidy’s (as I was reminded it is called) will be good to write about, but I have not done so yet (see yesterday’s post about waiting till the last minute).

I drove out of Richfield Springs, telling myself I would NOT go all the way to Cooperstown.  As it turned out, I did not have to.  I discovered Audrey’s Old and New, a charming little consignment shop.  That will be good for an article, a blog post, and at least one more visit.

Returning home, I studied my lines for Morning’s at Seven, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre.  I kind of lounged on my bed while I did so, making a nap seem like a really good idea.  I did not sleep too long, though.

After getting up, I folded some laundry, put away the dishes Steven had washed earlier, and looked around for other useful things to do.  Eventually I went to the store to get some food and yarn (not necessarily in that order).  Now I want to return to watching television and crocheting an afghan, my favored activity for a Sunday (many other days, too).  I see I am over 400 words on my blog post.  That is more than respectable, according to my rules for me.  400 entertain words?  Once again, you decide.

 

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Finally a Mid-Week Run!

Posted on April 11, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a Running Commentary post instead of me whining about how tired I am and I can’t think of anything to write anyway?  If it doesn’t work out, we can always call it a Wuss-out Wednesday.  I’m flexible like that.

I surprised myself by going on the run.  I had spent the day trying to psyche myself into it, mostly to have something to make a blog post about. Naturally I was tired at the end of the day, and confirmed in my decision NOT to run the Boilermaker 15K.  So it didn’t MATTER if I didn’t run, did it?  Well, I suppose it never matters to anybody except me.  At any rate, when I went upstairs to take a shower, I realized I did NOT feel like taking a shower.  For some reason, running felt like less trouble, so I sought out a couple sports bras and got ready to go.

It was sunny with clouds out, cool air, especially when a breeze blew.  Still, it didn’t feel too bad in leggings and long sleeves.  I could rock this.  I was glad I had gotten myself out the door.

And then I was sorry, because my body did NOT feel like running.  Well, what a surprise, after a full day at work.  I have not been running after work in a while.  I need to get back into doing it on a regular basis.  I reminded myself that I only require myself to do 20 minutes on these mid-week runs.  Then I remembered that on my weekend runs, the run only started to feel really good after 20 minutes.  What’s a slacker to do?  Just keep going, I thought.  However far you go, you go.

As I ran, I noticed that other yards were not covered with crappy brown, flat, old leaves, like mine is.  It snowed before I finished raking, although I did make attempts last fall.  Had these folks been more ambitious last fall or this spring?  We did have a lovely weekend, during which I was too busy with a murder mystery and rehearsal to rake.  I admired a few Easter decorations and wondered in a vague sort of way when I might have time and ambition to do something.  Not in time for Easter, probably.  Still, I could put some fake flowers in the box on my front porch (it gets too much sun for the real thing).  I passed one house who had a nice display of those.

I only passed one dog, which I asked to pet.  The guy walking her told me the dog was scared of people, which she demonstrated when I put my hand out for her to sniff. She did give me a quick lick, so I contented myself with that and ran on.

A couple was sitting on their front porch, something I am looking forward to doing.

“I’m going inside to take a nap!” the man told me.  “You’re making me tired!”

“As soon as I get home, I’m taking a nap,” I assured him.  In fact, I have not napped yet, but I foresee an early bedtime.

I ended up running 22 minutes.  I can’t say things felt a whole lot better as I ran, but I persevered.  The cool-down walk felt wonderful as usual.  The chocolate milk recovery beverage was even better.  Yes, that is one reason I run: the promise of chocolate milk afterwards.

As usual with Running Commentaries, this has been my longest blog post in a while.  Has it entertained?  I hope so.  Tomorrow will be another hasty pre-rehearsal post so no promises.  But I hope you are having a lovely mid-week.

PS.  I did take a shower.  I knew some of you were concerned when I said earlier that I didn’t feel like it.

 

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Walk to Wuss, it’s Wednesday

Posted on March 28, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had such high hopes for today.  I was going to walk to the post office, to mail something.  I was going to take my Tablet and take pictures along the way.  Alas, the sun defeated me.  I couldn’t see the screen for the glare.  I tried to get one shot.  I haven’t even checked yet if it turned out.

It does not look as striking in photo as it did in person.

Why, look, here it is.  I got my Tablet and found it.  It took me a minute, being me.  This was just a little way down my street.  A block or so later I saw a tree with some buds on it and thought, Score!  Well, I still couldn’t see the screen but was pretty sure it was in Selfie mode, and I couldn’t get it out. Just now I confirmed it WAS in Selfie mode, so at least I did not take a stupid picture of myself.  Anyways, I said to hell with it and took my walk.  I will have to do the walk and picture thing on a more gloomy day, which is my preferred kind of weather in any case.

In the meantime, blog posts must be made (because they are not there) (see what I did there?).  In the spirit of Wuss-out Wednesday, which I am indeed having, I will take this opportunity to announce that I have decided I will NOT be running the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY this July.  I just don’t have time to run as much as I need to with all these rehearsals.  Perhaps I would have time if I trained really hard after the play, but I can’t take that pressure.  I like to start early and build up slow.  This way, I can run purely for my own exercise and entertainment, which is what I like.  I’ll think about Boilermaker 2020 next year.

I somehow feel that I should have more than one picture.  Hmmm….

A toast to Wuss-out Wednesday?

This is a rehearsal shot from A Trivial Murder, the murder mystery we presented this past Saturday to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I think they are actually toasting a dead guy, but let’s pretend they are toasting me.  Now I think my Wuss-out Wednesday is veering into Non-Sequitur Thursday territory, which is ironic, since I am actually posting this on Wednesday (by my own clock if not my WordPress timestamp).  I’d better quit while I’m ahead.

 

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Fun and Games on Scattered Saturday

Posted on March 17, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

He looks mean, doesn’t he?

I was hoping for a picture of a big explosion to start off this week’s Scattered Saturday post, because that is pretty much how Demolition Man (1993) begins.  It is what we are watching now.  I suggested it because it is a funny, fun, fast-paced flick.  We had just watched The Bad Seed (1956), a perennial favorite of ours.

Isn’t she sweet?

Our day was even more fun before we got to the movie-watching portion.  We went to Little Falls for the grand opening of Meeples Mug House, the new board game cafe.  We played gin and then Yahtzee, in between enjoying a delicious sandwich (me) and soup (Steven).  I’ll write more about Meeples in another post (preview of coming attractions).

I took more pictures for subsequent use.

Before that, I went running and, um, not much else.  I made a phone call to arrange donating an afghan to the H.A.L.O. Chinese Auction tomorrow at the VFW (another preview of coming attractions).  While watching movies, I did a load of laundry and popped a bowl of popcorn (yum).  It was Aversa’s Popcorn, just to add a little local flair to the post.

For local readers, the HALO Chinese auction is at the  Herkimer VFW from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  HALO is the Helping Animals Live Organization, a no kill, not for profit, cat rescue group.

Meeples Mug House is located at 598 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY.  They are open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

And that brings me over 200 words, which regular readers will remember I consider respectable.  I WILL write more about Meeples, possibly in an article in Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I will also write again about H.A.L.O.  Right now, however, I have knitting to do, and I have to watch Sylvester Stallone kick Wesley Snipes’ butt in Demolition Man.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

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Back on the Running Wagon

Posted on March 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I fell off the running wagon this week.  Judge me if you must, but I had my reasons.  OK, there were no reasons and if there was they were probably a stupid reasons.  Never mind that.  I ran this morning, and it felt pretty darn good.

Yesterday I counted shoveling the driveway as my exercise.  I thought a half hour of walking back and forth carrying shovelfuls of snow was exertful enough (what do you mean, “exertful” is not a word, computer? Damn!).  In fact, I tried to take a walk later but only made it for 15 minutes, because my body was tired.  But that was then, this is now, and this morning, I decided to try a run.

It was almost 8:30 when I set out, because I had eaten around 7:20 (I checked my watch, knowing I wanted to wait an hour after eating).  It was only a banana with peanut butter and raisins, but I like to give myself every advantage.  It was below 30 degrees, so I wore leggings and long sleeves.  I added my road guard vest, because it made another layer and because I knew I would be running in the road.  Also, it gives me a pocket for my tissues.

There is more traffic than I like on a Saturday morning, but not as bad as weekday mornings or any afternoons.  I got to German Street and took my chances.  I had an idea to run up the hill by Valley Health.  As I ran, I rethought that plan.  I hadn’t run since last Sunday, I reminded myself.  Running at all was good.  I didn’t need to do hills yet.  I had spent a little time earlier in the week looking at a calendar and over-thinking my training plans vis-a-vis the Boilermaker 15K in July.  I should be fine, as long as I keep at it.  Then again, it is a good idea to be better than fine, because, as we all know, shit happens.

My last run was 25 minutes.  After taking too many days off, I did not think I would increase my time by the recommended 10 percent.  In fact, if I only did 20 minutes, I could still be in fine shape by July.  Well, just keep going, I thought.  See what happens.

It was cold.  My butt was cold.  My legs were cold.  My hands were cold.  But I kept going.  After a while my head got hot.  Fancy that!  I am not usually a hot-head.  I rounded the V corner at the high school and turned down Marion Street. I was tired.  After a while, I noticed I was running at a faster rate than my usual middle-aged shuffle.  I could slow down!  Then I wouldn’t feel so bad.  My body didn’t want to slow down.  How weird was that?  Eventually  I managed it, and it helped.

Almost 20 minutes into the run, I started to feel good.  Damn!  I could go 25 minutes!  I could go 28!  This was awesome!  I ended up running 25, to equal my last time.  After all, I didn’t want to be racked up for the rest of the day.  I felt pretty wonderful during my cool-down walk (the irony is not lost on me of having a “cool down” at 28 degrees Fahrenheit).  As it happened, I did spend a good portion of this day feeling tired. However, that might be due to the Sudafed I took for my stuffy sinuses.  No matter.  I ran, and now I’ve blogged (silly verb, that).  Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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To Boil or Not to Boil?

Posted on February 22, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is time for my annual post in which I dither about whether or not to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY in July.  At least, I do not remember if I write a post like this EVERY year (regular readers will not be surprised I am too lazy to go back and check).  I certainly do not run the Boilermaker every year (those who do are welcome to feel smug about it; indeed, I admire their dedication).

Being me, I cannot just go ahead and make a decision of this magnitude.  It is a decision of magnitude, by the way.  For the next four and a half months (I just now counted on my fingers), I cannot slack off of running for a week here and there.  I’ll have to keep better track of how long I run and how quickly I build myself up.  Ten percent each week does add up, but I feel I must keep good track of how soon I’ll be running for how long.  I am constantly looking at calendars and doing the math.

One might argue (oh, who am I kidding?   There’s always one who WILL argue!) (you know who you are) that none of this matters a great deal.  People who do not run at all have been known to run the Boilermaker 15K successfully.  I can probably get by on sheer stubbornness.   Additionally, many people walk during the Boilermaker; I’ve seen them.  I would not bear that shame alone (and I daresay some of them do not even feel ashamed) (and who am I to judge?).

I will just explain to the ones who argue thusly, “Shut up!”  (That is a S. J. Perelman joke I often use).  I train for the Boilermaker because (1) It is fun for me.  I like to run, and I feel good about myself as I am building up and (2) I do not WANT to get by on stubbornness nor by walking part of the course.  Additionally, I do not want to feel all ate up after the run.  I want to drink a beer!  And hang out with some friends!

Hmmm… It begins to sound as if I have already made up my mind to run the Boilermaker.  Well, why not?  I’m in my mid-50’s.  How many chances do I have to be bad-ass?  It will be good for me to train for a 15K.  If I stop eating like a pig, I may even meet a few of my weight-loss goals.

Of course, the final decision will not be made today.  I will still have to register, and there is always a chance I will get shut out.  It is a very popular race.  But I thank my readers for allowing me to dither in this space.  If anybody has any input on the matter, please feel free to comment.

 

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Is It Jogging or Blogging?

Posted on February 21, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to type about not writing, but when I added the parenthetical comment “as Truman Capote once said, that’s not writing, it’s typing,” it reminded me of a story.

In fifth grade, my class was running out to the playground with the teacher, for a kickball game, I think.  The teacher said, “You students aren’t sprinting, you’re jogging!”  in an aghast tone of voice, as if we knew what we were supposed to be doing and were purposely doing it wrong because we were such rotten kids.  I remember feeling bad, because I wasn’t doing it right (I was that sort of kid).   Afterwards, I felt a bit resentful, because he never said we were supposed to be sprinting.  How were we supposed to know?

It was not until years later that I realized, the guy was probably humiliated that this group of fifth graders — even the completely un-athletic ones like me  — were totally outpacing his fat ass (he wasn’t really fat, just mildly overweight, but since he’s the bad guy of the story, I’ll go with fat).  He was pretty much a big jerk, as a teacher and as a human being, so I won’t say “the poor guy.”

In retrospect, I’m glad if he was feeling humiliated.  He humiliated me often enough, but I won’t get into that, because this is a blog, not psychotherapy.  But for heavens’ sake, why would you shame a bunch of fifth-graders for how they move out to a playground?  He didn’t say, “Let’s sprint!”  He just started running and so did we.  It didn’t matter anyways, because by the time he said it, we were where we were supposed to be.  I don’t even remember if it was a kick-ball game or what, but I’m betting if we picked teams I got picked last.  My life was a kind of a burden to me in elementary school.

Incidentally, I remember reading in James Fixx’s famous book about running that he did not differentiate between running and jogging.  I could be remembering that wrong (it was not as memorable as being insulted by an elementary school teacher, I guess).  Regular readers know I call it all running, even my middle-aged shuffle or when I’m thunking along (I really feel “thunking” should be a word).

Why do I remember this stuff when I can’t where I put whatever I happen to be looking for at the time (as happens to me at least once a day)?  More importantly, does it make a good blog post?  Perhaps it does not matter on Wuss-out Wednesday.  Here’s hoping!

 

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Who, Me? Exercise?

Posted on February 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a Pedestrian Post instead of my usual Tired Tuesday?  For one reason, I went for a walk this afternoon.  It was not much of a walk, so I’m afraid this will not be much of a post, but one does what one can.

I have been determined to exercise more regularly.  Mostly this has resulted in me feeling guilty when I do not exercise.  If only guilt burned calories!  So I thought all day about what I would do to exercise.  My first plan had been to go to the YMCA.  Unfortunately, although I remembered work-out clothes, I did not bring a pair of work-out glasses.  YES, that is a spurious reason not to exercise.  In my defense, my new glasses are REALLY nice, and my face sweats a lot when I get on the elliptical.

So I started to think about how to exercise at home.  I would have to excavate the mini-tramp in order to run in place.  You see, in an house like mine, any flat surface that doesn’t move soon becomes covered with stuff.  Don’t judge me.  As I considered this fact, I thought, maybe I could incorporate exercise into cleaning.  I could march or lunge-walk around as I put things away.  I could do squats as I folded laundry.  I could write a blog post about it!  Maybe even a whole exercise book!  Sometimes I get a little extravagant when my mind wanders.

By the time I got home, I felt tired and discouraged.  All I wanted to do was sit on the couch.  However, I had noted that it was not freezingly cold out (what?  Isn’t “freezingly” a word?  I feel it should be).  I could, in fact, go running.  I was a bit concerned about the ice, though. Or was that just an excuse?  Then I thought: a walk.  A nice walk.  I could just about manage a walk.

So I went for a walk for nearly a half hour.  It was only uncomfortably cold when the wind picked up and was against me.  Yikes!  The ice was a problem at times.  If I had been trying to run, I’m sure I would have wiped out at least once.  Snow was also an obstacle, but plowing through snow burns more calories.  It also gets sneakers wet.  Note to self:  invest in a pair of winter boots.

Well, I am approaching 400 words, and for a Pedestrian Post, I have not said a whole lot about the walk.  However, as I observed in the first paragraph, one does what one can. Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

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Short Scattered Saturday before Sweats

Posted on February 17, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh, I wanted to do a Saturday Running Commentary, but I just don’t feel up for it, so this will be another Scattered Saturday post.  If I can remember my whole day.  Well, I’ll just give the highlights.

I got up early, because we went to be early last night (the thrills of judge shows and true crime shows could not compete with the appeal of blankets and pillows, apparently).  After some coffee, Facebook, television news and solitaire (with a deck of cards on the floor, that’s how I roll), I realized I had to either eat or run.  I decided on the run.

The sun was up, but the temperature was below freezing.  It was high 20’s, so that wasn’t so bad for running, but it did nothing to melt the ice.  I ran in the road, in the middle of the road when I could get away with it.  The run itself was without mishap, but when I went to take my cool-down walk on the sidewalk, I landed on my ass after two steps.  It was a slow, stiff-legged cool-down walk after that, but I lived to tell the tale.

Back home, I wrote some post cards and called my Mom and Dad.  A family party was in the offing for later in the day, and I wanted to know if there was a plan.  Mom asked could I bring rolls.  I said I would take a quick trip to Heidelberg Bakery.  She said they did not necessarily have to be Heidelberg rolls, but what does she expect from Mohawk Valley Girl?  Of course I went for the local, distinctive product!

After being local and distinctive, I confess I went to the dollar store.  We were celebrating my brother’s birthday, and I wanted a gift bag and card.  I also picked up some party hats and favors, just for fun.  It was not until much later I realized I had forgotten to mail my post cards.  Rats!

We drove into Rome in the early afternoon.  We had a lovely time with my family, and the party favors were a big hit with at least some of those attending.  Now we are home and into the bra off, sweats on, wine drinking, movie watching portion of the evening.  Bring it!

 

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One Must Begin Again

Posted on February 11, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I read somewhere that wintertime running is about maintenance, not necessarily improvement.  I told myself this as I finished a fairly short run this morning.  “It’s about maintenance,” I thought.  Then I thought, “My runs are about blog posts, weight-loss goals, health, and my own entertainment, not necessarily in that order.”  I had thought  doing a Sunday Running Commentary as I set out on my run.  I last ran a week ago and quite frankly did not feel like running today, but, as I said to Steven as I went out the door, “One must begin again.”  Then I thought, “That would be a good title for a blog post.”  So here we are.

We had a couple of days of spring-like weather last week, but I, perhaps foolishly, did not run then.  For one reason, my body was in its final throes of rebellion against 10-hour days.  I know, other people work longer days at more difficult jobs, and they don’t even complain.  All I can say is, that is them, this is me.  I was dead tired all week and not up to running through all the puddles which were the inevitable result of the warmer temperatures.  Today was cold, and it had been snowing.  Snow offers traction, so I thought.

Turns out I shouldn’t think so much.  I tried to run on the sidewalk and soon found there was a LOT of ice under the snow.  After my trailing foot zooped out from underneath me for the third time (luckily my weight was already established on my leading foot at the time), I went into the road, which was a little better.  And a little worse, because of traffic.  Sunday mornings are usually pretty tame traffic-wise, but I had waited till after eleven to run, hoping for a warmer temperature.  Well, the cars would just have to watch out for me; I was staying where I was.

I did not spend much time on German Street, which is one of the busier streets, but soon turned down Margaret. That was quieter, which was good, because it was also pretty snow-covered. I went for the barest part of the road and did now worry too much about staying close to the curb, except when I saw or heard a car coming.  It did not feel too bad, running along at my usual shuffling pace.  The air was cold, but you’ll have that.

My deal with myself was that I only had to run 20 minutes.  I can worry about building up when the weather is better.  If I worry about it at all. I mean, why should I worry?  Worry doesn’t burn calories or build muscle mass.  It is a quite useless activity.  I ran, I wrote a blog post.  Let’s leave it at that.  Happy Sunday, folks.

 

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