Tag Archives: tired

Can I Rock That Run?

Posted on September 18, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I decided about twelve times today that I would or would not run the Falling Leaves 14K in Utica, NY, on Sunday.  I quite amused one of my co-workers with my dithering.  One problem I had was that I was not feeling well today.  How can I run a 14K when my legs feel like overcooked macaroni, I whined.  Another co-worker told me there was nothing wrong with me and I should run the race.  How would he know?

In any case, I knew it would be a good idea to go running after work.  For one reason, I succumbed to the temptation to eat a candy bar.  Somebody’s kid was selling them to raise money for some school thing.  One must support youth and education, after all.  I know, I could have donated the dollar and left the candy bar.  In fact, I did not eat the first candy bar I purchased but saved it in my lunch box for Steve.  Later on I got another and ate 3/5 of it (it had five little sections).

This is a long introduction to a Running Commentary post,  but that is all right, because the run was really short.  After some difficulty getting dressed (missing bicycle shorts, inadequate sports bras, you know how it goes), I set out with no great hopes of a good run.

Oh, don’t go lecturing me about how we can control our lives if we just think positively.  I have started plenty of runs with sky high hopes that ended up in the metaphorical toilet.  Likewise, I have started out grumpily and had a lovely time.  In this case, all I can say is I did my best.

I never reached the I Can Rock This stage.  However, I kept going for 22 minutes as well as my usual 10 minute cool down walk.  I am thinking this is not the run of a body that is ready for a 14K.  Of course I will feel differently on a weekend morning,  especially if I carb up and don’t tie one on the night before.  But still.  When I have run the Boilermaker 15K, my body has felt better a week before the event.  Could I be getting old? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

Before making this post, I went on Facebook and onto the Falling Leaves page.  I have till Thursday to register online.  I could still register Saturday at the Sneaker Store in New Hartford or Sunday in Utica before the race.

Full disclosure: I looked at pictures of the starting line from previous years and wanted to cry.  Can I drive to Genesee Street, find a place to park, figure out where to go, deal with running in a crowd (although it would not take long for the crowd to leave me far behind), etc., etc.?

It is difficult to properly assess my feelings on Tired Tuesday.  Then again, are my feelings the important thing here?  I’m afraid that whatever I decide, I will wish I had gone the other way.  On the brighter side, there is always next year.  In the meantime,  I dither, I dither.

 

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Who, Me? Run?

Posted on September 11, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I went for a run this afternoon, describing the way I move in a most generous fashion. I am still dithering about the Falling Leaves 14K,  and today’s exercise did not further incline me to take the challenge. However, one must take the bad runs to get to the good ones.  I do not despair.

After work I got myself into running clothes and out the door before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.  Earlier I had entertained wild thoughts of running up to Herkimer College.  After all, I am running over an hour on the weekends.  Surely I can handle more of a challenge during the week (I am calling myself Shirley in this context).

A few steps down the sidewalk I thought I was not up to any challenge whatsoever.  I wondered if I was even up to a lousy 20 minute run.  Nevertheless, when I had the chance, I crossed German Street.  This put me on the path to a few different hills. I thought I could manage a hill. A small hill.

I ran up the hill by Valley Health.  As I ran up it, in fact, on the last few times I have run up it, I reflected that it is not an inconsiderable hill. I really must take a walk with my Tablet and take some pictures of these hills.  My readers will either say, “Why, yes, that is a hill,” or “What a wuss!  That’s no hill!”

When I got to the top of the hill, my legs felt like overcooked macaroni!  And I was less than eight minutes into the run!  Crap!  I continued, hoping to avoid any more major upslopes.  There are some really good hills in that area.  I hope to run them again but was not into it today.

As I ran on, eventually my legs started to feel a little better.  I reminded myself of how I sometimes don’t hit the I Can Rock This stage till a good 20 minutes into the run.  I further reminded myself that I have found I can keep running for just about as long as I decide to.

Soon my body was urging me to decide on a SHORT run. I ignored it. My legs felt better or worser by turns, but I persevered and ended up running for 26 minutes.  I did not feel terrific on my cool down walk.  When I took my shower, I wished I had one of those old lady stools so I could sit down.

So, yes, I can be a big baby about these things.  I comfort myself by reflecting that (a) I did so run and (b) I made a blog post about it.  Perhaps I can improve on the run and the blog in the future.

 

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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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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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OK, Me, WRITE!

Posted on August 14, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tired Tuesday follows Monstrous Monday, and we know Cindy is back to work.  Um, I am making this post AFTER work.  I work when I am AT work.  I don’t know why I insist on putting that.  It is extremely unlikely that anybody in management reads my blog, and all my friends are more likely to say, “Yeah right, you work?”

Today was a hot, sticky day.  The word “soupy” springs to mind.  In fact, my husband Steven suggested soup for supper, but I declined.  We had sandwiches.  And that is my stream of consciousness paragraph for the day.

I really thought I would be able to write more once I got back to work (while on BREAK!  We’ve already gone over this, for heaven’s sake!). My job is simple, repetitive and fairly mindless.  While doing my job, I think about what I am going to write.  Then as soon as it is break time, I write!  It’s great!  However, as I have mentioned in many blog posts,  it does not always work.

I remind myself that I have only been back at work for two days.  And my work does involve standing on my feet most of the day and, you know, working. The best thing to do, I tell myself, is to not get discouraged but to try again tomorrow.   Additionally,  I end the conversation with myself before I start counting up how long I have been trying again tomorrow.  Never mind about the past!

What a pep talk.  I may even put down the Tablet and pick up my notebook (the spiral kind with paper; we’ve gone over that, too).

 

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Lawn Update on Tired Tuesday

Posted on August 7, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tired Tuesday it is!  I am sitting on my back deck, extremely grateful when the breeze blows, and hoping to make some semblance of a blog post.  I took a few pictures a minute ago, thinking to do an update on the state of my yard.  Spoiler alert: it isn’t that great.

I loves me my Black-Eyed Susans!

My Black-Eyed Susans finally bloomed, no thanks to me weeding them, which I did not.

I tried to get two good views.

The other day I did do some clearing out by my fence.  Of course I did not take a before picture — who can be bothered by such things when enjoying a rare bout of ambition — but I seem to remember taking a picture of the area for some flowers that had grown there.

Here it is!

You can’t really see the fence.

NOW you can see the fence!

The expression, “I fought the lawn, and the lawn won,” comes to mind.  But to end on a more positive note, our Brown-Eyed Susans are also starting to bloom.

Hey! You can see Steve’s feet!

These just magically appeared a few years ago, and this year there are quite a few of them.

Yay! They’re pretty!

Never mind how crappy the deck is starting to look!

So my lawn is not looking as bad as it could look, despite my colossal lack of effort this year.  Then again, why am I so hard on myself?   I have kept the grass in check, done some work around the edges, pruned the evergreen tree, in short, worked somewhat.  One can almost always do more.

So I can sit on my deck and relax with a minimum of guilt.  It doesn’t do me any good to shoulda-woulda-coulda anyways.  I will just relax myself till the thunder I am hearing gets a little closer.  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

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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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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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Sometimes a Stylus is Not Good Enough

Posted on July 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tired Tuesday follows Monstrous Monday,  regular readers know that.  Do I have a good reason to be tired?   Let us not dwell on these judgemental questions. Just a warning, my posts for the foreseeable future might be pretty bad.

YES, this is yet another post about not being able to write a blog post.  I think at least some other bloggers must like to read these posts, because it makes them feel better about their own writing.   I don’t know of any other blogger who whines about their inability to write as much as I do.  On the other hand,  I must confess, I do not read all that many blogs. I’ve fallen way behind on reading even the ones I particularly like.  My bad.

My problem today is that I have a serious blog post knocking around in my head, and I just can’t seem to put pen to paper about it.  And, yes, I feel I must put pen to paper, not stylus to Tablet as I am doing now.

OK, time to be honest with myself.  I have not been putting pen to paper nearly often enough lately.  The solution,  you need hardly tell me (and I know some of you were just about to tell me), is obvious.  Put the stylus down and pick up the pen.  Well, I will do that as soon as I stick a few categories and tags on this piece of nonsense and hit Publish.  After all, there is no point in falling another blog post behind.

 

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