Tag Archives: running

Is the Blog Post as Bad as the Run?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I start to run up a hill, I almost never have any doubt that I will make it to the top; it is merely a question of how much it is going to suck.  I said this to myself this afternoon as I ran up the hill to Herkimer College (often referred to as HCCC in this blog) (incidentally, that is read, “H-triple-C”).  Then I tried to calculate exactly how much it actually sucked.  How are these things measured, anyways?

 

Of course no run, however bad, entirely sucks.  For one reason, you are doing it.  The satisfaction of Running Anyways is not to be denied.  When one is working towards a goal — in my case, the Boilermaker 15K — one can also comfort oneself that one is making progress.  When I run up the hill to Hekimer College, another reward is the wonderful views when I get to the top.

 

One plan I had considered for this week was to run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  As may have been expected, I wussed out on Wednesday.  I would accept no excuses from myself today (to give myself some credit, I did not even try to come up with any).  Since I had not run Wednesday and since I am having serious doubts of my ability to run the Boilermaker and not have it suck (see first paragraph), I thought I should run a longish run and include hills.

 

After considering and discarding several routes, I turned up Lou Ambers Drive and headed for the college.  It was not fun.  I wondered if I would ever reach the I Can Rock This stage again.  But I kept going.  Once I got to campus I kept going uphill, by the buildings and around the athletic fields.  Oh, it took a long time.  To be fair, it did not suck the whole time.  It never felt wonderful, but at certain times it was… neutral.

 

At last I was headed down Reservoir Road.  Downhill did not feel as good as it usually does.  For one reason, I worked on my feet all day today.  For another reason, I REALLY need to get to the Sneaker Store in New Hartford, NY, and get new running shoes.  Never mind, I told myself.  Just make up your mind to it your feet are going to hurt ALL THE TIME and don’t worry about it.  I looked around at the distant views and the closer scenery to take my mind off it.  That helped.

 

My previous longest run time had been 41 minutes (I may have said 40 in an earlier blog post, but I checked my running journal and it’s 41).  It was soon apparent I would not get back home in that length of time.   I feared I would be increasing my time by longer than the recommended 10 percent.  I felt that would be OK, because I’m training for the Boilermaker.  I have to get used to running for long periods of time.

 

I ended up running for 46 minutes.  I did not feel pretty terrific, as I often do after a run.  I felt, and still feel tired.  I thought I was too tired to write a blog post.  It seems I was not.  Was I too tired to write a good blog post?  Oh, who cares?  It’s Non-Sequitur Thursday.  Slap on a title and call it a night.

 

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Not the Least Bit Like a Gazelle

Posted on May 13, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

There was a moment at work today when I WANTED to run.  My legs just asked to start moving.  Walking would not do.  Stretching would not help.  I wanted to run.  I had no doubt that if I could have gone out the door and started moving, I would have loped along like a gazelle.  Of course I was at work and able to do no such thing, so my theory remained untested.

 

I knew, even at the time, that I would not feel like running by the time I got home.  For one reason, my husband would be home and I like to spend time with my husband.  Well, maybe it would be raining.  Then I could run on the mini-tramp and chat with him while I did.  It stopped raining. I called and left a message on the answering machine, asking that coffee be available when I arrived.  Maybe that would help.

 

As I left work, the cooler temperature and breeze seemed good running weather.  I felt it would be wicked to waste it.  Steven had a fresh pot of coffee waiting.  A cup of coffee before running is often helpful. I’ve read that the caffeine helps you burn more calories.  I talked myself back into running as I sipped.

 

One thing was in my favor, if I really wanted to wimp out.  It looked as if it was going to rain again.  I could run till it started to rain too hard or until I heard thunder.  Some hard-ass might expect me to run in the pouring rain (and be disappointed), but nobody reasonable thinks you should run in lightning.

 

When I got started, I found that my pace was a good deal less gazelle-like than it had been in my head at work.  It was slower and a lot more jouncy (well, will you look at that? My computer seems to think jouncy is a word).  Well, I did not need to run for a long time and I certainly did not need to run any faster.  I just needed to keep going… for a while.

 

I decided it would be OK to not run any hills.  I intend to run at least two more times this week.  One or both of those runs could feature hills.  The purpose of this run was just to not have three days in a row of not running (as I wrote in a note to myself as part of an earlier blog post).

 

Up German Street I went.  I say “up” because there is a small upgrade.  It is more pronounced on the other side of the street, but I did not see an opportunity amidst late afternoon Herkimer traffic to cross the street.  I got all the way to the end of German and hooked around to go back Church Street.  I did not want to get too far from home, in case of rain.  The clouds did not look particularly threatening at that time, but as Fats Waller said, one never knows, do one?

 

I encountered a few cars at 4-way stops who nicely waved me on.  I yelled, “Thank you,” which I hope they heard through their open windows.  How far should I go?  To Main Street?  There were often people on Main Street.  I was feeling self-conscious.  Maybe cross Main Street?  At Prospect, I decided if I saw cars I would not cross but turn and run south.  That would bring me near Meyers Park, one of my favorite places to run through.  There was traffic.  I like it when fate decides my runs.

 

Before reaching Park Avenue, which of course leads to the park, I came to the last block of Bellinger Avenue, which is a one way street.  I like to enter at the “Do Not Enter” sign.  I’m that way.  I decided to run down Bellinger Avenue, then around the perimeter of the park, then maybe through the park, back to Park Avenue and all the way to the other end of that.

 

I should perhaps mention that this whole time my body felt SO TIRED!  My feet hurt.  My knees hurt.  My lungs simply did not feel like breathing (obviously they did breathe, since I am not dead).  Oh, whatever would I do?  What I really wanted to do was run to the park then home by the quickest route.  Maybe not even as far as the park.  I made the longer plan because I really thought it would be a good idea if I ran further.

 

As I ran in the park, I noticed the clouds moving away and blue sky above.  As I left the park the sun was out, dark clouds to the side but moving away.  I always like the bright sunlight against the dark clouds.  I started down Park Avenue.

 

I ended up running 34 minutes.  As usual I felt terrific as I walked my cool-down with Tabby.  It may, perhaps, have been better for my Boilermaker ambitions if I had run further and included hills.  For my weight-loss goals, I think this was pretty good.  For blog post purposes, I shall let you, my dear reader, decide.

 

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Salsa Dancing Next?

Posted on May 9, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

This time I went two days without running instead of three.   Oh, go ahead and judge.  Shake your head or your finger at me.  Better yet, shake a pair of maracas, let’s salsa dance (pause while I get up from the computer and do a little dance)  (I didn’t really do a little dance; I got my dictionary to look up how to spell maracas).

 

I got out of bed this morning and straight into my running clothes and outside.  It was prior to 6 a.m. but the sun was already up.  The temperature was just right.  How pleasant it is to run without my hands getting numb.  I worked up a sweat as I went along, but that’s OK too.  For one reason, it is nice to sweat for exertion and not because your place of employment is too damn hot (I said “too damn hot” to quote Cole Porter).

 

I had made up my mind to not run any hills and possibly do a shorter run, because Steven has the day off.  My beloved husband, in case you did not know, works retail hours.  This is only his second Saturday off all year.  It is kind of a big deal to me to have a day off with my husband.  I do not want to waste it being wiped out by too strenuous  a run.

 

Still, as I ran I remembered Wine Tasting Day last month.  I ended up running the same length of time as my then longest run, and I felt terrific all day.  So I did not rule out a longish run.  But hills were out of the question (I didn’t run any hills Wine Tasting Day either).

 

My legs were not happy with me.  They have felt macaroni-ish all week long, not for any good reason most of the time.  I tried to ignore them and hoped they would get used to it.  They would stop complaining for a while then start up again, pretty much all through the run.  Well, I can’t worry about my body’s petty complaints. I have a Boilermaker to train for.

 

I crossed German Street, thankful for the early morning lack of traffic, and headed for Main.  I thought I would run down the nice path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  It is a pleasant little path, especially now that the trees are getting leaves.

 

I observed many trees in various stages of growing leaves.  I especially like the ones with flowers.  When I was younger I had the idea that I would get married in an apple orchard at the exact moment when they were in full bloom.  I suppose the timing would have been tricky, but I was a romantic adolescent.  By the time I actually got engaged (which by itself came as a surprise to many), I wanted a fall wedding.  And an indoor wedding, because you can’t count on the weather.  However, I don’t rule out renewing my vows one year in an orchard of dead trees (now that I am a macabre middle-aged lady).

 

I ended up running 40 minutes, the same length as my last run.  It was actually a little over 40.  I had stopped once to pet a nice dog of my acquaintance, so I ran for a little longer than 40 and called it 40.  I don’t care if stopping is bad for training purposes.  I like to pet a nice dog.

 

I feel pretty good about my run, and pretty good that I have a whole day of adventure still ahead of me.  Hope you all have a lovely Saturday.

 

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Back on Track?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Note to self:  Do NOT take three days in a row off from running.  In my defense, each day it seemed to be the right decision.  Then again, one can almost always find a reason.   More important is to come up with a reason TO run.  Today my reason was:  I’ve already told many people I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K.  I cannot gracefully excuse myself.

 

It was a warm and sunny day (still is as I type this, although I have showered and eaten since the run).  I prefer to run in cooler weather, but it is unlikely to be 50 degrees in July (on Boilermaker Sunday), so I knew it would be a good idea to begin to get acclimated.  I used my usual trick of telling myself I did not have to run very far or up any hills.  Just a short, easy run would be OK.

 

Of course I wanted to go for a longish run.  For one reason, I knew my wonderful husband, Steven, was fixing hot dogs with toasted buns for dinner.  Yum!  But not exactly diet food.  A good run would help keep me on the weight-loss track.

 

I headed towards Herkimer College (formerly Herkimer County Community College or HCCC).  I would not run up the front way — the steeper run — but perhaps the back way,  longer but a more gradual slope.  The back way had the added advantage of being woodsy.  There might be more shade.  If  I really didn’t feel could make it, perhaps I could continue on German Street and go up the hill by Valley Health.

 

Oh, it was not fun to run.  This was my comeuppance for taking three days off.  I knew I must continue.  I would go up to HCCC the back way (oh, it’s just quicker to type than Herkimer College).  It seemed to take a long time, but I encouraged myself.  Just get to the curve.  Now the next curve.  More than halfway there.  Almost there.  Oh dear.

 

I ran down the front way.  It is a little steep for downhill, but I leaned back and took it slow.  The advantage of going this way was that I would go by the spring and could stop for a quick drink.  This was the first day it’s been warm enough that I didn’t mind sticking my hands in the cold water.  It was a fast stop.  I kept going.

 

As I ran, I waited for it to get easier.  It did not.  That was OK.  I told myself I was building up my ability to keep going when it really sucks.  Still, maybe I would catch a second wind if I kept going.  I did not, and I think I kept going long enough to give it a fair shot.  I ran as long as my longest run so far, 40 minutes.

 

My cool-down walk around the block with my schnoodle, Tabby, was better.  Sitting down when I got back home was better yet.  I did my stretches from a sitting position.  I had to stand up to take my shower, but that was worth it.  Oh how nice my husband was to fix dinner!

 

So new rule for me: no more three days off.  I hope I can stick to it.  I have just over two months to the Boilermaker.  It is a little too soon for this blog to become All Boilermaker All The Time, but if I run again tomorrow, I just might write about it.

 

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One Must Persevere

Posted on May 3, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Twice this week I ran, thinking to do a Running Commentary.  Twice I found I could not.  Then I ran today (Saturday), thinking Saturday Running Commentary, why would I not make a Saturday Running Commentary?  At first I thought I would run my commentaries together (so to speak) and just make a post about This Week in Running.  As I started to write (yes, I’ve gone back to re-write the intro after writing most of the blog) (just to insert a note about The Writing Process), I found myself saying quite a bit about Tuesday’s run.  Not wishing to tax my readers’ patience, I shall just comment about one run today.

 

Tuesday I wanted to run into the Unknown Park.  A friend told me it is Brookfield Park.  I have called it the Unknown Park in this blog, because it is not clearly labelled.   That is how I still think of it.  These during the week runs are tricky, because it is not so easy to cross German Street at that time of the day (fourish).  All the hills I know of in Herkimer are on the other side of German Street from my street.

 

This time I managed to cross it with very little problem.  So I felt I was not off the hook for hills.  After all, if I have managed to get across the busy street, why waste it?  I sure did not feel like running, but I persevered.  The park would be interesting.  I had not run it since sometime last fall.  I might even see some buds on some trees.

 

Imagine my chagrin on discovering that the entrance to the park was blocked by a chain with an orange triangle attached.  There is a space where a pedestrian could sneak in, but I have to think of safety first.  Suppose I ran into some kind of trouble (and you know I have a vivid imagination that can come up with all sorts of trouble)?  Who would be likely to come along and help me in a blocked off park?  I ran on.

 

Running up the hill to the college was clearly ineligible, so I went up the hill by Valley Health and ran around in the suburbs (I know they aren’t really suburbs, it’s just a handy term I use).  As I went slowly up, I realized I am in no shape for the Boilermaker 15K.  I’d better step up the pace of my training.  And by step up the pace, of course I mean to continue my shuffling, overweight middle-aged lady pace (not that gender makes a difference), but more often and for longer periods of time.  No more two days off between runs, maybe not even one day off.   And I definitely have to at least walk on the days I do not run.

 

As I ran on, at one point I had a choice:  turn left and continue on a level road or go up a steep-looking hill.  I decided I would turn left.  I was tired.  Then I thought, “Step up the pace.”  I  would go up that hill!  I felt bad ass.  As usual the hill looked less steep when I got right up to it.  It was steep enough.  I made it up.  Then I took a left turn to run by a sign that said, “Do Not Enter.”  I felt bad ass doing that too.  Oh, you don’t have to tell me: they mean cars not middle-aged ladies jogging.  Don’t spoil my fun.

 

I felt quite pleased with myself for running and especially for tackling that second hill.   I was dreadfully tired as the evening progressed, but that is the difference between running after a long day of work and running first thing after sleeping in on the weekend.  As I often observe, one must persevere.

 

 

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I Am Much Woman

Posted on April 25, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tabby continues sick today.  I shall be taking her to the vet, willingly forgoing the Mohawk Valley adventures I had planned for the day.  One thing I did not want to forgo, however, was my run.  Accordingly, I set out early, when Steven was still home with the poocher.  Therefore, I am able to offer Saturday Running Commentary two weeks in a row.

 

It was prior to 6 a.m.;  the sun was up but the light was still grey and dull.  The temperature was cold (31, according to my thermostat).  I wore leggings and my long-sleeved ARMY t-shirt.  I also put on my toque and some gloves.  As I ran, it seemed my hands and ears were the only warm parts of me, but one must persevere.

 

I decided to run up to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC, although I think it goes by a different name now).   For the uninitiated, that is a rather impressive hill.  When I’m in shape I run it at least once a week.  For one reason, it makes me feel bad ass.  Today I thought, “Do it for Tabby!”  In fiction, that would become a big deal in the character’s head: “If I do this, she’ll get better!”  I knew it was no such thing.  In the first place, I am doing it for my own fitness, weight loss and Boilermaker goals.  Oh, and to post it on Facebook so my friends will Like it.  Taking Tabby to the vet is far more to the point regarding her health.  So much for symbolism.

 

I wondered if I was really up to the big hill yet, but I realized it did not matter.  I tend to accomplish things simply because I make up my mind to do them.  For example, the novel I will complete during Finish That Novel May.  I’ll just make up my mind to do it.  I made up my mind to run the hill.

 

Up a minor upgrade, then a little downgrade, the UP.  Hmm…. that hill did not look as steep as it had in my head.  Did it look longer?  Well, it was long enough, anyways.  Here we go.  At least I shouldn’t have much traffic at this hour on a Saturday.  Then I heard a car behind me.  A total of three cars passed me going up.  The last yahoo was really gunning his engine.  What, I thought, won’t your car make it up the hill otherwise?  I wished I could gun my body, but I know from experience it is better to shuffle up the hill than to sprint.

 

I speculated on where those people were going.  Perhaps to the gym to work out.  Ha! I was already getting my workout.  Perhaps they were returning to the dorms from a rough night of partying.  Good for them, not driving home drunk last night.  Or maybe it was a hot one-night stand.  You know, college students.

 

At last I made it to the top!  I would post that on Facebook for sure.  My sister Vicki has a saying when she does something bad-ass that she is “much woman.”  Should I say I was much woman?  No, I decided.  I would say “Yeah, I’m bad,” my usual saying in these cases.  Then if Vicki commented that I was much woman, I could comment, “I was hoping you would say that.”  Well, if I’m not going adventuring today, I’ve got to have some plans.

 

My legs felt warm and supple as the road leveled out.  This was awesome.  I was getting in shape!  Bring it, Boilermaker!  I turned to run down the back way, a more gradual slope with woodsy surroundings.  As I started down, my legs were all, “Yeah, we got this.” And gravity was like, “Yeah, YOU got this.”  Oh, but it is nice to keep running after you finished your terrible hill of the day.

 

I turned left where a sign said “No Left Turn,” just to be that way.  I saw my wonderful paper deliverers’ van.  They have a wide territory.  I love my paper deliverers.  SO reliable!  We waved at each other.

 

Tabby did not walk my cool-down with me, so I did not go around the block as per usual.  That may have been silly of me, because after all, I started the around the block cool-down before I got Tabby.  Today I walked up and down the backyard while Tabby sat on the deck.  I hoped she could feel she was participating that way.  Dogs like to participate.

 

I felt delighted that I had run, and that I had done that big hill.  It was the first time in 2015.  I’ll do it again soon.  And I hope Tabby will be walking my cool-down with me soon.  Incidentally, I did post on Facebook that I ran it.  So far I’ve gotten six Likes but no comments.  Still, I think I am much woman.

 

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Running in Place toward May (and July)

Posted on April 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had been going to write a Running In Place Commentary, because I ran in place on the mini-tramp today.  However, in looking at my WordPress notifications, I saw some interesting comments on yesterday’s post.  One in particular gave me my topic for today’s post.

 

Fellow blogger Mark Bialczak suggested I declare next month Finish That Novel May.  What a marvelous idea!  Like NaNoWriMo only I don’t have to write the whole damn thing in 30 days.  For one thing, May is 31 days.  Already I’m ahead of the game.  And I have a lot written on this novel.  Some needs to be cut, some new scenes written, lots of organization…

 

So that is my new plan.  I will no doubt write further blog posts on the topic.

 

In the meantime, in the interests of Non-Sequitur Thursday, I’ll just mention that I wrote more on the new novel while at work today.  A new character magically appeared.  I love it when that happens.  Other characters are developing, plot points present themselves, I am enjoying it a great deal.

 

As the Boilermaker 15K continues to approach (yes, another non-sequitur), I knew I must run.  Of course the weather did not cooperate, with snow falling all day.  Then again, what do I care about the weather?  I can and do run in crappy weather.  However, today I elected to run in place on the mini-tramp.

 

While I ran, my husband Steven and I watched The Blue Dahlia, which we DVR’d from TCM back in February.   Naturally we discussed what we were watching, but I mustn’t share too much, in case you’d like to watch the movie sometime.  It is not one of the cheesy ones I delight in giving plot summaries of.

Incidentally, the Boilermaker is in July (I just wrote the headline and realized the reference might be obscure).

 

 

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Run in the Sun (and Clouds)

Posted on April 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

The saying is, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”  In that case, I should have experienced six different weather phenomena on my 30 minute run.  I did not quite make that, but I did see some changes that may enliven today’s Running Commentary.

 

I was determined to run today.  As it poured rain all morning, I reminded myself I could run in place on the mini-tramp.  When the rain stopped around lunchtime, I congratulated myself.  When cold wind blew through the windows all afternoon, I reminded myself that I have run in temperatures down in the 20s.  Stepping out of the building at 3:30 p.m. (or shortly thereafter, in the interests of strict accuracy), I realized that some excellent running weather had magically appeared.  Cool but not cold, breezy but not too windy, sun with some clouds.  I could rock this.

 

After making one stop on the way home and digging out some running gear (could NOT find the glasses I’ve been wearing to run in), I hit the road at 4:09 (I always make a mental note, in case the CHRONO function on my watch fails me).  The sun had come out full force.  How delightful.  Perhaps I should have worn sunglasses after all.

 

I turned right on German Street, so the sun was behind me.  I thought if I could cross German at Main Street, I would run out that hill.  Traffic was too thick, but that was OK with me by that time.  Two blocks into the run, I knew I was not up for any hills.  How long would I run?  I had done 31 minutes in Liverpool on Saturday.  I am supposed to be up to 32 or 35 by now (I forget which).  Still, after working all day, even a 20 minute run is good.  No doubt I would do more than 20.

 

I ran to the end of German and around the HARC building, which used to be a factory, I think.  I noted rows of new windows.  I love to see an old building being renovated and put to good use.

 

My legs were not the least bit happy with me.  Oh, they were moving slowly.  It would probably be a good idea if I began running every day.  In my defense, I did take walks on the day I did not run.  In my detriment, they were walks with Tabby, who stops and sniffs a lot.  I made up my mind I would persevere.  Perhaps I would catch a second wind.

 

Before I caught a second wind, the actual wind picked up.  The sun felt warm and the wind felt cold.  It was weird.  But at least the wind was not so strong I had to strain against it.  At one point, though, I realized I was leaning forward and sticking my chin out.  What was that all about?  Leading with my chin?  Do you think you’re going to get done with the run any sooner this way, I chided myself.  I tried to correct my posture.

 

I was striving to run as smoothly as possible, which is what I usually do.  A friend in the army once told me I looked like I was speed-walking when I ran.  She tried to run that way too.  She said she would say to herself, “Do the Quackenbush.”  I was flattered.

 

After a while my knees began to twinge a little.  They have been bothering me lately, which is a new thing.  My back, which was bugging me at work today, has always been a problem.  Yes, I know, running can exacerbate knee and back problems.  However, so can being overweight.  Running helps me lose weight.  I’m sure everything will feel better soon.

 

I ended up running for 30 minutes (I believe I mentioned that in the first paragraph).  The sun was behind some clouds as I finished.  When I got Tabby’s leash for our cool-down walk, I considered grabbing a sweatshirt as well.  I decided against it, because I had worked up a sweat.  Ah, lovely sweat.  Sweat out the toxins, sweat out the bad mood.  Then take a hot shower and wash off the sweat.  Life is good when you run.

 

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Another Meandering Post

Posted on April 21, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week I tried to write a post ahead, in case it was not easy to write a post during Fabulous Wine Tasting Weekend.   I ended up not using what I wrote, because I thought it needed to be edited and polished (I think I wrote a blog post about it).  Looking at it again, I feel it will work find for a Mental Meanderings Monday.  Here it is:

 

I ran Wednesday and thought to do a running commentary.  My inner monologue as I ran seemed interesting enough, to me anyways.

 

Of course the operative thing to do is to sit right down soon after the run and write the thing (YES, I shower first!  I said SOON after! Sheesh!)  That is my usual method, composing at the computer.  Today, however  (this was written Thursday), I am sitting in the break area at work before my shift starts, scribbling in a spiral notebook with a stolen pen (well, not exactly stolen; somebody left it sitting on a table.  Let’s call it purloined, which has the charm of alliteration).

 

I go on about this minutae, because I am fascinated by the mechanics of writing.  I think a lot of people are. Hence, the plethora of books about writing.  Of course, they don’t always tell me what I really want to know. When do you write?  Where do you write?  Pen, pencil or keyboard?  How long is a writing session?  And my biggest question:  How in a busy life do you carve out time to write and stick to it?

 

Regarding the last question, my growing suspicion is that a lot of writers don’t know exactly how they do it, and I make bold to suggest that a lot of them have the niggling guilty feeling that they are not doing it enough.  Most of them end with a huffy statement along the lines of, “If it’s important to you, you’ll do it.”

 

Yes, that’s all very well.  I find it more helpful to hear concrete suggestions such as, “Get up an hour earlier” and “Write on your lunch break.”  Some people intone “Time management” as if it is a magic elixir you can buy in a bottle that makes more hours appear in a day.  We all know it’s not that easy, and I appreciate the writer that acknowledges that fact.

 

Let’s look at the other advice about writing.  Many writing books say things like, “Find what works for you.”  Obviously.  In fact, I’d almost put that under the “Well, duh” category, except that there are some things the writing books say you ABSOLUTELY MUST DO.  There are always people who like to dictate as well as some techniques that work so well for so many people they take on the aura of a truism.

 

To take a non-writerly example: when you diet, only step on the scale once a week.  The idea  behind this is that you save yourself stressing over the one and two pound fluctuations that will happen to the best of us.  Most people are quite content to follow this advice and find that it works for them.  I personally step on the scale every day.  Those little one-pound gains you’re not supposed to stress over?  I take them as reminders to stay on the straight and narrow.  The one pound losses you also should not take too seriously?  Encouragement, which I need in spades.

 

So, yes, we must find and follow what works for us.  For example,  I find that it works for me to write a blog post every day, however silly it may turn out to be.  Ah, but an important part of that sentence is “I find.”  We must FIND OUT what works for us.  In that quest, I like to read other writers’ advice.  I do not always take the advice.  I hope nobody is offended.

 

And now I feel my mind has meandered enough.  Happy Monday, everybody.

 

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I Run the A B C’s

Posted on April 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Would you believe, a running commentary on Fabulous Wine Tasting Weekend?  I was going to let myself off the hook and train extra hard next week, but in fact I ran and I’m going to write about it.

 

I am at my sister’s house in Liverpool, NY, whence we will drive to the Finger Lakes for said wine.  I packed running clothes, under the theory that it was better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.  As a matter of fact, I forgot to pack a second pair of running shorts, so running tomorrow morning may not happen, but I’ll leave that concern for the future.

 

I woke up at 12:30 this morning with a dreadful headache.  Damn!  I managed to go back to sleep, but I was quite wakeful around 5:30 and wondered if I might sweat out the headache with a run.  I figured a run would be a good idea even if it did not help the headache, so while the rest of the household slept, I set out.

 

My sister lives in a development, all residential, no sidewalks but not much traffic.  Like many of these places, the street arrangement seems to be inspired by a plate of spaghetti, all curves and no real idea what street leads where.  I was not too worried, though, because I remembered what my other sister had observed:  the street names are in alphabetical order.

 

The sun was up but not very high.  The air felt cool and fresh.  Maybe a little too cool.  I soon pulled my headband over my ears.  I could not do anything for my hands, though, except feel them get progressively colder and stiffer.  No matter.  I  would not have to do anything requiring fine motor skills till after a hot shower.

 

I admired houses as I ran, observing that many of them looked remarkably similar in structure.  That did not bode well for finding my way back if need be, so I began to look for more distinctive features, such as For Sale signs and solar lights.  I kept turning left, on the idea that if I did that I would end up back where I started.  Then I thought I might finish my run too soon, so I made a righthand turn (why is the computer underlining that? Isn’t righthand a word?).

 

And that was where things got a little complicated.

 

It doesn’t matter, I told myself.  Alphabetical order, remember?  I saw a street that began with Q.  My sister’s street begins with G.  This could be a problem.  The next street began with P.  Ah, at least I was headed in the right direction.  This would be fine.  My legs were not complaining too much, my breathing was OK.  I did not feel  as if I had reached the I Can Rock This stage, but I believe I was rocking it.

 

It is interesting to try to remember the alphabet backwards, since we are so used to saying it the other way.  I was narrating in my head and realized I would not remember all the street names I was using.  Then I realized that was OK, because it is perhaps not the best idea to use identifying characteristics, in case somebody wants to stalk my sister (she is the cute one) (we vie for the title of the wittiest) (but I digress).  Perhaps in saying Liverpool and streets in alphabetical order I’ve said too much.  It’s all a lie, stalkers!  I have no sisters!  Ha, the joke’s on you!

 

O, N, M… I had only meant to go for a short run, maybe 20 minutes.  After all, must recruit my energies for the wine tour.  Still, the Boilermaker isn’t getting any further away.  Also,  I had not yet worked up a sweat.  That was no way to sweat out a headache.  Then I was almost to G.  G was next!  Yes!  NO!

 

It was the wrong G!  Oh NO!  Who knew this development had so many streets?  There was no way I was backtracking.  I figured I was close to A by now, and thus the end of this street.  Surely from there I could find the proper street to run down and the proper alphabet to follow.  At last I saw something a recognized:  the back of the shopping center which one drives by before reaching the development.  NOW I knew where I was.  Sort of.

 

A little further down, I saw a building that looked familiar.  Then the sign for a church I knew I had to turn by.  Yes, yes!  I still had streets A through F to get through, but I knew where I was.   This was going to be quite a respectable run.  My headache did not seem much better, but I felt I was definitely progressing towards being in shape for the Boilermaker.

 

After I finished the run, I stayed right on my sister’s street to walk my cool-down, for which I definitely missed Tabby.  I felt triumphant.  I would meet my weight-loss goals!  I would be in shape for the Boilermaker!  My sister thought it was awesome that I had gone running.

 

“And you didn’t get lost,” she said.

 

“Actually, I did,” I admitted.  “I’m going to write my blog post about it.”

 

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