Tag Archives: weather

Herkimer in the Sun

So there I was, with Saturday wearing on and no blog post in sight. I was not about to go running. For one thing, I had a bad headache earlier and the medicine I take, OTC though it may be, kind of drains me. For another thing, it was COLD out and I didn’t need the cold air bringing my headache back. “There’s some things I don’t mess with,” I told myself. “Like going out in the cold air when I have a headache!”

Then I realized I had a dog who had not been for a walk in a few days. She gets her exercise on those days by running around the back yard, which I’m sure she also enjoys. But dogs like to go for walks. Someone told me they benefit from the sensory stimulation of different smells, sights and sounds. How could I deny my beloved schnoodle, Tabby, any benefit that a little effort on my part could bring her?

As we walked, I realized I like the sensory stimulation, too. Maybe not the smells, which my sinuses prevent me from noticing much anyways, but definitely the sights. For one thing, it was a bright and sunny. I think it’s wonderful how sunshine can make almost anything look better. Old dirty snow, clods of earth where snowplows were a little too enthusiastic, muddy sidewalks. Nothing looks as bad in bright sunlight.

I suppose some people will argue with that. For one thing, some people will argue with anything. But I know there is also a big thing about older women (probably men, too, for that matter) looking better in candlelight. I guess I don’t know about that. I just know I enjoyed the sight of Herkimer in the sun today.

We walked down Bellinger Street and through Meyers Park. I was a little surprised Tabby did not turn down Church Street toward her favorite Historic Four Corners, but so it was. She led me across Prospect and onto Main Street. When she turned up toward German, I saw that the street was blocked off where some recent bad events had taken place.

“We can’t go this way,” I told Tabby. She did not seem to be paying me any attention, but after she stopped and sniffed a pole, she turned back toward State Street. Perhaps she noticed the yellow tape herself. She’s a smart pooch.

We walked to Albany Street and by Crazy Otto’s, Hummel’s Office Plus and Belly Up Pub. The lady in Hummel’s waved at us as we walked by. I waved back, but Tabby was busy sniffing other poles. I thought I should do something to support Main Street businesses in light of recent events. Perhaps a meal at Crazy Otto’s or a card at Hummel’s. A drink at Belly Up Pub or Pete’s Tavern? There is also a barber shop and cell phone place, but I don’t have any need for either of those. Do I need anything available at Collis Hardware? I’ll have to think about it. I’ve neglected to mention a few places, but those were the ones I actually noticed today. I’m only one blogger, after all.

During the course of our walk I found two pennies, not both at once. An encouraging sign from the angels? I’d like to think so. I was really glad we went for our walk. My legs felt better for the exercise, and the cold air did not exacerbate my headache. Tabby seemed happy about it, too. What’s not to like?

Oh, For a Bare Sidewalk

I had planned to run today, and that was good news for me, because I did not have a blog topic and a run is almost always good for a post.

Was that a run-on sentence? I have a tendency to write these long sentences, then claim it is not a run-on sentence and invite doubters to diagram it and see. So far nobody has called me on it.

I put on my running clothes as soon as I got home from work, not allowing any time to talk myself out of it. I had not put out my running clothes last night, which would have been a good idea. However, I haven’t folded laundry the last couple of loads, and that was almost as good.

It was warm this afternoon. The forecast said 40. I didn’t check any thermometers, but it felt a little colder than that when I left work. Still, not frigid. I put on leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt but not sweatshirt, hat and mittens. I was also hoping for some bare sidewalk.

It was a silly thing to hope for. Why, just the other day I was writing about Steven jumping over puddles. Did I think they had evaporated that quickly? They had not.

I skirted the long ones as best I could. Into the mud to get around this one, into the snow for that one. Watch out for that ice! Can I leap over that one? Splash! My feet got a little wet.

As I ran, I seemed to be moving very slowly. But at least I kept moving. Eventually I found whole stretches of bare or almost bare sidewalk. Bliss! I even looked around at some of the houses, envying screened in porches as usual. On one open porch I saw a row of red wooden Adirondack chairs. I’d like to get some cool furniture for my deck or front porch. Then again, I look forward to sitting outside even if it’s on dining room chairs I haul out the front door.

I ran for as long as I ran on Saturday. I even picked up the pace a little at the end. Not a full out sprint, which would have made me breathe funny. But I lengthened my stride and almost achieved that athletic lope I so envy in other runners. At least I told myself that was what I achieved. Perhaps it looked quite different to an impartial observer.

No matter. I ran, and that’s the important thing. I burned a few calories and got a topic for a blog post. Now it’s time to start pondering what I could possibly find to write about tomorrow.

I Ran Anyways

Can it count as Saturday Running Commentary if I actually ran on Thursday and am just getting around to writing about it now?

I say yes.

I felt I was being clever by laying out my running clothes Wednesday night so that when I got home Thursday I would have fewer excuses. As it turned out I had a very good excuse in the shape of a migraine headache (at least, it could have been a sinus headache; I don’t really know from headaches). I figured my head was probably going to keep hurting anyways. This way, at least I’d feel proud of myself.

I was happy that I knew where my mittens were. I don’t know why I only have one pair of mittens, but so it is. OK, full disclosure: they aren’t my mittens. They belong to my sister Diane and they somehow ended up in my possession. I hope this isn’t one of the posts she decides to read or I may have to give them back.

So leggings, winter running socks, long-sleeved army t-shirt, sweatshirt, knitted toque, mittens — I was going to rock this run!

I’m not so sure I did. I ran at an even more shuffley pace than usual, due to snow on the sidewalks. The occasional patch of bare sidewalk didn’t help much, because snow collected on the bottoms of my sneakers. However, one thing I have learned is to persevere.

And persevere I did, for a full 20 minutes plus cool down walk. It was colder than I had expected. The wind on my face did not help my headache. At least I had remembered to put a couple of tissues in the sweatshirt pockets so I had recourse when my nose got too runny. Taking the mittens off and maneuvering with the tissues added some interest. You’d be surprised how welcome these little distractions are.

The irony of the cool down walk was not lost on me, but I felt sure my dog Tabby had been looking forward to it ever since she saw me lacing up the running shoes. I think the temperature had dropped a few degrees during the 20 minutes I had been running. Or maybe the wind had picked up. I did not analyze; I merely discouraged Tabby from sniffing as many things as she wanted to.

This ought to be a lesson to me, I suppose, not to stop running, because continuing is usually easier than beginning anew. Then again, a recurring theme of my life is Things Happen (some people put it more vulgarly, but I’ll say “things”). We can only do the best we can.

Friday I worked out at Curves instead of running again. Today (Saturday) I got a terrific headache from being out in the cold this morning. It’s gone right now, and I’m not messing with it. I may run again on Sunday. I’ll let you know.

Winter Walk

It seems every Sunday is now a Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I just couldn’t put pen to paper and write a real post. So I fell back on my old standby: Steven and I took Tabby for a walk and I will write about that.

In the last few days, winter has come to the Mohawk Valley, complete with snow. Yesterday I tried to take Tabby for a longish walk. It was a mere grey and gloomy day when we started out. Before we had gone a block, it was snowing. Before we had gone two, it was blizzard conditions. We made it around the block and were happy.

Today the white stuff has been drifting down off and on. It was on when I took my run, but the temperature wasn’t too bad. Maybe a little bad when the wind chill made itself felt. After Steven got home from work a little after one, I asked would he stroll with me and the schnoodle. Eventually he was ready and we set out.

The snow had stopped but the wind had picked up. I had on my insulated sweatshirt and pulled the sleeves down over my hands. Steven had sensibly worn his coat. Tabby, of course, has her natural fur coat on at all times.

We admired some of the neighbors’ Christmas decorations. Steven has plans for our front porch, but they may not come to fruition till after next week. It was gloomy enough to see people’s lights somewhat but not dark enough for them to really show. I enjoy taking Tabby out for her last business meeting of the day this time of year.

Tabby as usual wanted to walk to Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners. I liked the way the graveyard in front of the Reformed Church looked in the gloomy light. Steven admired the wreaths on the light posts. Tabby turned up Main Street towards German so we did not see any more of downtown Herkimer this walk.

We went on up Main Street then over to the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal (which looked more like a nasty ditch, but that was a while ago). The cold wind was getting to my sinuses by this time, but my legs were enjoying the exercise. Tabby seemed happy about it, too.

As we finished the walk, I said, “And now I’ll make my blog post, without apologies!” Then I said, “Who am I kidding? I’m going to apologize! I always apologize!” It seems Lame Post Friday is taking over my week. But I shall persevere! Just last night we watched a Boris Karloff movie I’d like to write about. And I expect to do some Christmas shopping at some interesting local businesses. Please, please, stay tuned.

Running Through the Snow

It seems this sinus headache isn’t going anywhere, despite drugs and hot tea, so I may as well write today’s blog post. It’s only Saturday Running Commentary, after all. How hard could it be?

The headache had not really kicked in before the run. I did not get up early enough to run in the dark, as I did on Thursday. We slept in till the luxurious hour of 6:30. Woohoo! After two cups of coffee, I decided it was time to either run or eat with the intention of running later. Snow was predicted for later, so I thought I would run while the running was good.

I put on leggings and long sleeves, since the temperature was below 40 degrees. I found my toque but decided not to search for mittens and to wear my sweatshirt only for the cool down. I sensibly put a Tabby poop bag in the sweatshirt pocket so I wouldn’t have to remember it later.

Imagine my surprise when I went out the back door into snow! Lots and lots of swirling white flakes, not yet sticking to the ground but looking rather picturesque in the air. Never mind, I was ready to run and I intended to do so.

It wasn’t even that cold. I pulled my sleeves down over my hands and puffed along feeling not too uncomfortable. I took the hill by Valley Health again. I know, I must start running the longer, steeper hills. Possibly as early as tomorrow.

Skies in the distance were blue, so I headed in that direction. The snow tapered off then came back. Soon I was headed back toward grey skies. I do admire a grey November sky.

When I went to cross back over German Street, the light was about to turn against me, but there were no cars there. One car waited at the red light, perpendicular to me. Was he about to make a left turn into me? He did not have his signal on, so I thought, if he wants to make a left turn and I’m in his way, it’s his own damn fault! His light did not turn green till I was mostly across anyways. Then he went straight, per his lack of turn signals. Good man! I think it was actually a youth. What was a kid that age doing up so early? Or was it still up so late? I’ll never know, but it gave me something to ponder as I ran.

Walking my cool down with Tabby later, she did her business and guess what was NOT in my sweatshirt pocket? I was certain I had put one there! Serves me right for not double checking. Luckily I had a couple of tissues and we were almost home, so I did not litter a neighbor’s lawn in a manner which I deplore in others.

It was not a bad run at all. Other than the snow, however, it was fairly uneventful. I shall try to observe more bloggable phenomena during subsequent runs. Stay tuned.