Tag Archives: weather

Blog Before Run, Or Am I Too Lame?

Last week I hoped I was ushering in a new era of Not Late Lame Post Friday posts.  Alas, it was not to be.  Here it is Saturday morning, and I sit on my couch (lounge, really), listening to what I think is some kind of pigeon (maybe a mourning dove? It sounds pretty sad) and wishing I was already out running. One thing I love is running or walking in the morning and hearing the birds sing (or is it a morning dove with no emotion attributed?  I don’t know from birds).

One reason I am blogging before my run is that I am waiting for it to be light out.  I just can’t trust the sidewalks and roads this time of year.  I have wiped out on the ice too many times this year just walking (one hideous incident on my uneven concrete front steps).  I emphatically do not want to do it while running.  At my age I could break a hip.  Well, maybe not a hip, but something.  At least I would bruise my body and damage my fragile self-esteem.

My day stretches before me in a fairly threatening fashion.  That run to take, post cards to write, a house to clean, a murder mystery to write AND this afternoon auditions for murder mystery actors.  It is a general audition;  I want to develop a pool of actors to draw from as murder mysteries arise to be cast.

Now I feel threatened, because there is a something inside me (my depression?  the aforementioned fragile self-esteem?) strenuously insisting that I CANNOT POSSIBLY do a murder mystery at this time.  I MIGHT be able to write it (low self-esteem aside, I rarely admit to being unable to write something) (yes, yes, there are times when I say I CAN’T write a blog post, but I just mean I can’t write it right now).  But print it out, get a cast, schedule and go to rehearsals…

What am I saying?  Of course I can do all that!  The voices in my head are full of beans!

Talked myself right into that, didn’t I?  Guess I’ll go for my run now.

For local readers interested in theatre, auditions are today, March 18, at 1 p.m. at Ilion Little Theatre,  13 Remington Ave., Ilion, NY.  For more information,  you can visit the theatre’s Facebook page.

 

 

One Reason Why I’m Tired

I will tell you about my Tuesday.  The Mohawk Valley was hit with the nor’easter which I suppose is plaguing the entire state.  I can only suppose, because I have yet restored any real television to my television set (long story, not very interesting) (although I do not rule out making a blog post out of it at some point).  I arose in the morning with trepidation, prepared to dig out my driveway prior to departing for work.

Imagine my delight when I found that shoveling was not yet necessay.  I merely had to clean off my car.  I could see snow heavily falling, though, so allowed extra time, which I definitely needed.

Oh, the roads sucked.  I reflected as I drove down Rt 5 at 30 miles an hour, that a year previously, I had turned around in such conditions and gone home.  Full disclosure:  if my husband Steve were still alive, I probably would have yesterday.  In fact, Steve would have urged me in strong terms not to go in at all.  (“You’re NOT going to work today,” was the way he put it the time I turned around) (yes, I disobeyed a direct order, but let us not discuss the dynamics of my marriage).

Driving up Ilion Gorge was an adventure.  It was a decision whether it was better with or without high beams, because of all the snow.  The light reflects each and every flake, you know. I decided I liked it better with.

I further reflected (see what I did there?) that my drive was a metaphor for my current life.  I was going slowly.  I could not see very far ahead.  I was just trusting to be able to reach my destination (one day when I didn’t even try to get to work, I later learned a fallen tree had blocked the road anyways).  It was not much fun.

Actually it was a little fun.  As often happens, I had to laugh at myself.

Further trials and tribulations were in store for me as the day went on, but I see I am over 300 words.  I do not care to tax my readers’ patience at this time (but do not rule it out at some future date).

 

A Mixed Up But Not Monstrous Run

I mixed things up by running, which I rarely do on a Monday, so I thought I would further mix things up by doing a Running Commentary Post instead of my usual Monstrous Monday Post.  I suppose, though, that it is not unusual for me to be mixed up.  Never mind that: on with the post!

One reason I thought to go running was that the roads were pretty much bare, which they have not been and which they are unlikely to remain.  I had previously been toying with the idea of running in place on the mini-tramp, because I wanted to do laundry before taking my shower, one of my few instances of multi-tasking (also, I come home from work too dirty and stinky to want to just sit around before showering).  When I noticed the bare roads as I left work, I said, “Heyyy!”

Picture more snow not on the road but a less wet road.

Of course I thought to run by places I have pictures of in my Media Library.  I believe I used this picture of Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners in my last Running Commentary Post.  As I approached the Corners, my whole body was saying, “Oh, to hell with this!”  Imagine my chagrin to find I had been running for less than three minutes.

There was a little more snow surrounding this building as well.

I ran down several streets with no landmarks before heading toward Washington Street and this handsome building.  I was huffing and puffing and, according to my Garmin, running a bit faster than I have in the recent past.  My body was, as it often does, trying to convince me that a short run would be OK.  I suppose it would, but I have the Boilermaker 15K to train for.  Yes, I have time, but not forever.

This is where I pay my water bill.

 

I hoped to make it for 20 minutes while promising myself I would not beat myself up over 17 or even 15.  I was pleased with myself for doing a mile in just under 13 minutes.  I know, other people do a mile much faster, but I cannot go around comparing myself to others.

Again, picture more snow.

I added a little time to my run by going around Meyers Park the long way.  For one reason, it was left side facing traffic (as it happened, there was no traffic, but one likes to be prepared).  Additionally, I got to enter where it said Do Not Enter.  Regular readers know how I like to do that.

My run was just barely over 20 minutes, a little over a mile and a half.  I felt pretty pleased with myself, especially on a Monday. I want to be more regular about walking and running.  It lifts my mood in several respects, and sometimes it makes a pretty good blog post.  Or do I flatter myself?

 

Post-Wine Post

I have not had much wine, but I thought the title would be a good follow-up to a Pre-Coffee Post.  This, I fear, will be another post where I just rattle on for 200 words or so.  I am battling depression but trying not to whine too much about it.  After all, everybody has problems.

Not enough gas to outrun Monday!

I guess I can bill this as a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  I don’t really feel that horrified by Monday, but it cannot be denied that the weekend is more fun.  This past weekend I drove into Rome, NY, to my parents’ house, where two out of three sisters  were also visiting.

Returning to Herkimer this morning, I made a stop to purchase ice melt then parked on the street while I shoveled some of the snow in my driveway.  I did not make great progress, but I got the car in without any trouble.  Phew!

Scary!

The cold air had given me a bit of a sinus headache, so I heated up my face thing and laid down for a while.  It seemed to help.  This afternoon I watched War of the Gargantuas on Svengoolie.  I have several episodes of Svengoolie on my DVR.  I bet some of you thought that picture was a graphic depiction of my headache.  I can see where one might think that.  While I watched, I heated up some leftovers for dinner.

Bearing in mind that doing something, anything can alleviate depression, I fixed tomorrow’s lunch, did the dishes, and laid out my Monday work outfit.  Now I am kind of sort of looking at Snapped while I make a blog post.

I haven’t reached mine yet.

Since I titled this Post-Wine Post, do you suppose it would be OK if I had some Post-Post Wine?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

Running Away From Depression?

I got on the Tablet thinking I was going to make a whiny Tired Tuesday Post but thought I might try instead for a little Running Commentary.  I took a couple of walks yesterday and decided today to just go ahead and run.  I thought, I don’t have to run far, I don’t have to run fast, but I am registered for the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY this summer.  I need to train for that.  Additionally,  exercise is a well-known and seldom used anti-depressant.  It might help.

I went first thing in the morning.  Well, second thing.  I had coffee first.  It was not too cold for February.  I put on leggings, long sleeves, a warm headband, and gloves.  This would be fine.

And it wasn’t too bad.  I told myself 20 minutes would be great but 15 would be enough.  I further told myself not to worry if I did a 15-minute mile.  Or even slower.  The important thing was just to go.

I find graveyards fascinating.

As I often do when I think I might make a Running Commentary Post, I ran by places I know I have pictures of in my Media Library.  Of course I love to walk and run by Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners regardless.  I am especially fond of the old gravestones surrounding Herkimer Reformed Church.  I crossed Main Street and continued on my way.

A handsome building.

Eventually I made my way by the former Baptist Church and future home of Herkimer Business and Professional Association.

I have not sent any post cards recently.

Soon I was going by the post office.

I actually passed this structure on the other side.

When I first started running in the village, I made it a rule to always run through Meyers Park.  Sometimes I run around it, as I did today.

I ended up running for 22 minutes, making a mile in under 14 minutes, so I felt fairly pleased with myself.  Alas, the anti-depressant effect was short-lived.  Perhaps if I continue to run on a regular basis and for longer periods of time it would help.  In the meantime, I guess I will just feel that way until I do not feel that way any more.

 

I Yam a Daily Blogger?

I shall attempt a Tired Tuesday Post before my weariness overcomes me.  Doesn’t that sound dramatic?  What a big fat baby I am, after all.  We all have problems,  no doubt I will find ways to work on mine.  In the meantime, I want to make a blog post.

I took a couple of walks today, to and from work. I  did that last Tuesday as well.  You see, Tuesday is trash day in my neighborhood, and due to the amount of snow that has fallen, I have to put my trash and recyclables containers at the end of the driveway.  This is how I have been feeling lately: it was easier to just walk to work than to move the containers, back my car out of the driveway, leave it on the street, put the containers back, then get back into my car and drive to work.

You know, I am inclined to think I was right.  It is making me tired now, just thinking about all that extra container and car moving.

I’m sure some readers are shaking their heads at me (you know who you are).  As I have said before, shake your head, your finger, or even your booty.  Like Popeye, I yam what I yam.

What I also am (yam) is a blogger who made her Tuesday Post on Tuesday.  OK, so it was kind of a foolish post. Perhaps tomorrow I will be less tired.

 

I Go a Different Way

Lately I have just a terrible time making decisions.  I think I spoke of this problem last Monday.  Today I sit here with my Tablet (pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus, of course), feeling quite paralyzed between two possibilities.  One choice, of course, is my usual Monstrous Monday.  The other is a Pedestrian Post about my walks to and from work today.

I work in Herkimer, NY now, where I live.  It is easy walking distance, but I normally drive for a few reasons, although one might argue that they are actually rationalizations (I know some of you were just taking a breath and opening your mouths to do so) (you know who you are).  That could be a whole other blog post.

Today, however, or rather last night, winter returned to the Mohawk Valley in the form of snow.  A lot of it.  I went out early, thinking to shovel out the end of my driveway at least.  The snow was not up to my bumper, after all.  Where was my shovel?  Oh yes, right where I left it, leaned against the porch stairs, covered with snow.  I was brushing snow off said steps with the outdoor push broom when I said, Oh, to hell with this, I’m walking to work!

I went back inside to get my things. My husband, Steven, expressed some dismay at my choice, but I felt it was safer.  After all, a woman my age could get a heart attack shoveling snow.  If I slipped on ice walking, I was more likely to get a mere bruise, not incur the costly car repair if I spun out while driving.  Additionally, I had not gone for my usual morning walk; I needed the exercise.

I did slip on the ice, as I reached the bottom of the stairs.  I almost landed on my butt.  Of greater concern, I spilled a little coffee.  Yes, I carried my usual thermal mug.  I sip a little in the morning and heat up the remainder in the afternoon.  Now I had a little less for both purposes and had gotten my glove wet!  Sometimes it is not easy being me.

As I walked, I greeted other pedestrians and people shoveling their driveways.  I told a couple of the shovelers that I was walking to avoid their chore.  I did not greet one person brushing off her car, because she seemed to be having a heated argument with someone on the porch.

“Where do you want me to put the snow?” she demanded, then offered a vulgar suggestion (I would just imagine not much snow would fit there) (also, it may not have melted, because I understand it is where the sun don’t shine).

I made it to work without mishap and only a couple of little slithers.  The worst of it was my feet got wet, because I was not sensible enough to put on boots.  My walk home was a little better, as the snow had stopped and the plows continued to do their work.  It was one way to get my exercise!

And I see it was one way to make a blog post.  Isn’t that funny?  I started to write a sentence or two about the Pedestrian Post I might have written (yes, I intended to make another post aboit not making a real blog post).  Then I went a different way.  Kind of like I went to work a different way this morning.  See what I did there?

 

Running Away from a Headache

I started running again yesterday (Saturday) and had high hopes of making a Saturday Running Commentary Post.  Then I neglected to make a post at all (why do I have this compulsion to call attention to my shortfalls?).  I think I can make such a post now.

The reason I stopped running was my bad bout with the flu.  I started walking again, and that went pretty well.  I set Saturday as my run again date.  And almost put it off for another day.  I waited too long, got too hungry,  and had to eat.  So I had to at least put it off another hour.  Additionally,  I woke up with a headache that was getting progressively worse.  I tried lying down with this heat-up herbal face mask my mom gave me.  It did not help, although it felt kind of nice for a while.

By this time the hour had passed, so I figured I might as well run. Since it was the first run after a break, I only asked 15 minutes of myself.  I put in a load of laundry, so I could multi-task (regular readers know it is about the only multi-task I do).

It was cold.  I had on a hat and gloves but wished I also had a scarf.  Then again, it is difficult to situate a scarf so it keeps my face warm but my glasses don’t get fogged.  As usual when I run, I persevered.

And it was not a bad run at all.  The sidewalks were mostly bare, and my body mostly cooperated.  I kept it up for 18 minutes.  I cut my cool down walk short, because one hip was paining me just a little bit.  Regular readers may remember that I spent the month of June walking instead of running due to hip pain (at least I think I mentioned it; of course I am too lazy to go back and check).  Come on, body, don’t start that on me again!

As I ran, I felt inspired to sign up for the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY in July.  As I make this blog post, I feel inspired to run again today.  Quick, me, get out there before you eat breakfast and have to wait an hour!

 

Public Pedestrian Post with Pics

I don’t go into work till noon on Thursdays, so I waited till the sun was up to take my walk.  I decided to take advantage of the light and bring my cell phone so I could make a Pedestrian Post with pictures.  Full disclosure:  I am not making the post on my phone as I walk but merely took the pictures.  I am now at my house, ten-finger typing on my dining-room-table-top (must get a new laptop one of these days).

The weather was cold and gloomy, with snow off and on.  It was off as I started but had stuck on the sidewalk, so I walked with caution and did not set as brisk a pace as I might have on bare pavement.  I admit I do not always set a particularly brisk pace no matter the walking surface, but today I felt I had an excuse.  I had a payment on a bill to put in the mail, so I was also walking with a purpose.  I headed towards the post office.

As I went through Meyer’s Park, I noticed they had taken the Christmas lights down from the gazebo.  Regular readers know I love to look at lights when I am walking, so I felt a little sad this morning.  Yes, yes, I know, it is January, Christmas is over, I should get on with my life.  I can still feel a little sad, can’t I?  Sheesh!  Anyways, I took a picture to share the gloomy scene.

I felt the dusting of snow added to the gloomy mood.

I soon made it to the post office and mailed the bill.  Then I crossed the street to take a picture of the post office.

A handsome building.

I continued towards Main Street, which I crossed and went by Municipal Hall. I felt I had a kind of a theme of public spaces going on here, so I took another picture.

This is where I use to go to register for the DARE 5K, when they used to have one.

Close by Municipal Hall is what used to be the Baptist Church but is now owned by the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer. Pre-Covid, there were big plans for the space.  I must reach out to the association and find out the current status of the building.

Another handsome building.

Having three pictures in my phone, I felt I had fulfilled my blogging obligation and concentrated on my walk.  I slid once on an icy patch, which was a little scary (I guess I am easily frightened), but I stayed upright and did not encounter any more ice.  Soon it began to snow like a Christmas card, so I thought I would try for a picture of that.

This is the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.

I’m afraid I did not capture the snow.  It soon turned to a fine, not very visible snow, and I was soon finished with my walk.

My walk lasted 30 minutes, the longest since I started walking again after my bout of flu.  I felt pretty good about that.  I may try for a run on Saturday, but after my little slip on the ice, it will rather depend on the weather.

 

Foggy Walk

Thursday I took my walk a little later than usual, because that is my late day at work.  The sun was up, but you could barely tell due to the fog.  I took my phone with me, thinking I would try a couple of pictures for a Pedestrian Post.  I emphasize “try,” because how good can a picture look when it is of what you can’t see?

I guess I could see pretty far after all.

I have always loved fog.  It is so mysterious.  There was an infamous episode when my husband, Steve, and I got lost driving in the fog over Higby Road (yes, autocorrect, “Higby” is a word; I did not mean Hit by).  That was PB (pre blog).

Mysterious trees.

I walked along German Street to Valley Health, to walk up that hill.  I took the above picture along the way.  I had hoped for a good shot at the top of the hill but had no luck.  Perhaps if I would have walked up College Hill I could have gotten the shot, but I had neither the time nor the physical wherewithal for such exertions.  Hey, I just started walking again, remember?

Running water always makes a nice picture.

I carefully held my phone in one of the gaps in the chain link fence on the little bridge.  It was a pleasant walk.  I am happy to be getting some exercise again.  And I am hoping people do not mind that I made my Thursday blog post on Friday morning.