After a beautiful warm sunny week last week, it was not surprising that this week did not follow suit.
But my plan was to relax and take it slow… and enjoy the beginning signs of spring.
After a long two months, I finally ran another half marathon and in person! This one was local and on the same course as the one I ran last November. It was fun to see all my friends again (even with the COVID restrictions.)
Last Week:
- Monday – A rainy morning but by lunch it had stopped. A chilly cloudy day but glad to get outside. Unfortunately due to unexpected meet-up with a friend, I got delayed and wound up getting caught in the rain halfway though this run.
Got to see some early tulips but my hands and ears were so cold!!
Of course, the rain stopped by the time I finished. I had to get back to work so I drove back to take pictures.
surprised to catch these at peak during my run UAlbany run. ❤ cherry blossoms!!
- Tuesday – A busy work day so only had time for a quick neighborhood walk at lunch.
they are so short-lived, these beautiful blossoms
After work, I went for my usual LONG rail trail walk with friends.
always interesting sights – the highlight was a young girl roller blading holding a chicken!! The top left is the RD from Saturday’s race (and his wife).
- Wednesday – Anxious to catch some more peak cherry blossom trees, I headed to Washington Park after work to run.
2 cherry blossom trees (but lots of pink magnolias) and only ONE tulip – lol
I only had time for a short run/walk since my running friend texted me and asked me to run with her at UAlbany.
two days later and the trees were mostly past peak with pretty pink “snow” on the ground. I was overdressed too (it was 70 degrees) – skirt/tank weather
Rush rush again- dinner plans with a friend. So nice to be able to socialize again (and she didn’t notice my sweaty running shirt under my jacket. lol)
- Thursday – Rest Day. And a rainy one. I guess the timing worked out perfectly. It had stopped raining by lunch so I went for a walk. It was downright chilly (down coat and beanie cold).
discovered another new trail nearby…seems to go on forever!!
After work, I was able to get my race packet and then since it was pouring go for a work in the mall.
- Friday – A Second Rest Day with snow in the forecast!! There was a dusting in the morning but again it was chilly.
view of our tree from my window
After work, again due to rain, I went for a walk around an outside mall (with a friend).
- Saturday – Race Day!!! With 1000 of my closest friends (lol), I ran 13.1 miles! Unfortunately, it was colder than I had hoped (so I changed my outfit at the last minute). And due to all the recent rain, the start and finish was crazy muddy. But I finished. It was hard due to my too fast miles 1-5 and then the unending hills. But I ran a real race. Life is good!
In the town where I live, people pain rocks and when you find them you post to FB and then move them. This afternoon, a massage studio sponsored a rock painting session. It was lots of fun and a good way to rest my weary legs for a few hours.
obviously I do not have much artistic talent lol
- Sunday – It’s Hiking Sunday. I was hoping that my legs would allow me. But actually ikt was a beautiful day and hiking was what the doctor ordered. I felt so better better afterwards. I, of course, needed my waterfalls fix and then I also hike two new trails in the same area.
Barbersville Falls (top left) and then the ridge trail (with lots of creek crossings) and then the nearby Creek trail (bottom pics).
This Coming Week on the Run –
- Monday – run, walk with BFF
- Tuesday – rest day, walk, bike, hair appt.
- Wednesday – run, walk
- Thursday – run, walk with friends
- Friday – rest day, bike, walk
- Saturday – Long Run
- Sunday – walk/hike
This Coming Week on the Blog –
- Tuesday – Druthers H2H Half Marathon Race Recap
- Friday – The New Normal for Racing
I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Happy Running! How is your running going? Doing any virtual races? Any in-person races planned? Any goals for April? Is it warming up where you live? What about those April showers? Are they happening? Please share.
My First 5K and More... 
I hope we get a race recap, Darlene!
Love that your outfit matches the cherry blossoms! Awesome photos.
What was that girl doing with the chicken? 😄
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It matches? That was an accident.
Not sure about the chicken. She went by too fast.
Yes. Recap on Tuesday.
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Well done on your race and I love the cherry blossom pics – thank you for sharing them!
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I love them too. Too bad they don’t last long.
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Yay for a live half-marathon! All the cherry blossoms are so pretty. I haven’t seen many around here and I hope I didn’t miss them.
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I usually miss them. This year I made sure to get out and see them.
And very exciting to be racing again
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you are a few weeks behind us on your blooms. Your cherry blossoms look beautiful ours are gone already sadly. Yay for in person racing again! Looking forward to reading about it
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Tuesday will be the recap. Our cherry blossoms are almost gone too. And no tulips yet
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Congratulations Darlene on another half marathon finish! And on a tough day weather/muddy wise! Impressive.
That is such a neat idea with the rocks! I love it.
Great photos of the trees- so pretty!
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The weather was nice and the mud was not. But so happy to be out there.
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You look like you dressed to match your cherry blossoms! They are beautiful! Glad you got a live race in. Mine was so restrictive, with distancing. There definitely weren’t 1000 runners, either. Interested in hearing more. Will you do a recap?
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Someone else said that about my outfit but it was not planned that way.
This is the 3rd race that this company has done so more and more runners are participating. There was masks and distancing and many restrictions. Recap coming on Tuesday.
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Those blossoms are so gorgeous! Glad you’re enjoying them because I know how fleeting they are. Congrats on an IRL half. They seem to be coming back, ever so slowly.
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Yes, there are races and since many runners have their vaccines, they are starting to race.
I agree. I usually blink and miss the cherry blossoms. This year I did not.
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I haven’t worn a winter coat, but it was chilly for most of the week! Except my long run. You’d think that would’ve been a good thing.
Glad you were able to run a RL race with friends. And you survived the hills. Good job!
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You can do hills if you just walk up them lol
At least the weekend was dry and warmish.
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Sounds like you had a fun and interesting week, with the cherry blossoms, waterfalls, and a race! I’m starting to feel behind- it seems like everyone is doing races!
Actually I think your artistic talent surpasses mine. I would be hard pressed to paint a cat that actually looked like a cat. Someone will be happy to find those rocks!
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You should see how artistic some of the rock painters are.
Not everyone is racing but things are starting to happen…especially since many runners have gotten their vaccines.
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Yay for hilly half marathons!! My race, today, is historically hilly…even when they had a different route (a few years ago), it was hilly LOL SO many pretty pics! We’re just starting to see some color come to life on the trees here. It’s a bummer it doesn’t last very long ;-(
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Don’t know if it’s a yay. The hills were tough.
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Yay on your race — even though it was tough. Those cherry blossoms are so lovely. ❤ Your hike looks great too – love the waterfalls.
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The hike was great. And yes those half marathons never seem to get easier.
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Congrats on your live race!
Those cherry blossoms are so pretty! I wish they lasted longer.
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I wish they did too. Soon there will be tulips.
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I am so excited you got to run that half! So exciting for you, in spite of the hills. ❤
I love your rocks. That kitty cat is perfect.
I love seeing all your flower.s I wish we had that kind of variety here on our trails.
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But you don’t have to deal with snow and cold winters.
And yes, it was exciting to run areal race.
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Congrats on your race! I am actually jealous of all of your races. None for me yet but that is a personal choice. 🙂 The rocks are cute!
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Soon you will be out there I bet.
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A chicken? Hmmm, interesting! Congrats on a real live race. I think we’ll see a lot more of them this year,
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Most races are still cancelled but still many more than last year.
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so so so many gorgeous photos from last week Darlene <3. those cherry blossoms!!
hooray for another live race! too bad the weather kind of turned on you guys a bit. But you were out there, doing your thing! that's most important. There are no races in my future unfortunately.
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There will eventually be races….
And yes I love the Cherry Blossoms but for the most part, they are gone but tulips will be here soon. You know how I love them.
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I agree, it was so good to see so many friends at my live race on Saturday and I can’t wait for the next one (even though I don’t have one on the books yet)! Heading over to read your race recap shortly!
It was “snowing” cherry blossoms here yesterday and then today it was really snowing (flurries only).
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Ha ha. We had real snowflakes today too.
Very glad to have the opportunity to run a real race. Not many to choose from around here. But I did sign up for one on May 30.
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