Loving these four day work weeks.

This is the last one for a few weeks. No need to take a day off for hiking in the winter so I will wait until I can go on a vacation (or am going insane lol)

2021 has arrived. Hope it is a better year for everyone than 2020.

Last Week –

• Monday – Rest day.  I did get out for a lunch walk on the water line (nothing interesting to photograph but the snow had at least melted).

• Tuesday –  A cold day but the wind made it feel even colder.  I decided to run at lunch since at least the sun was out. I hate to run in my neighborhood unless I am pressed for time.  So I drove to the rail trail to see if I was able to run without slipping on ice.  It was ok at the beginning but then I ran into ice so I continued onto the road parallel to the trail.

my face, hands and feet were freezing…wind makes a huge difference. loved finding a HNY rock

• Wednesday – Another cold windy day (not as sunny as yesterday but not as cold). Again I decided to avoid darkness and run during lunch. I drove to the trail trail but parked in a different location to see if it was less icy. It was but still not all clear.

still figuring out this clothing thing – cold into the wind but too warm with the wind at my back. Remembered my buff so at least my face didn’t freeze.

After work, I met my BFF for our walk around the outdoor mall.

• Thursday – Another rest day on the schedule.  But I did go for a lunch walk.  I had thought briefly (very briefly) about going for my last run of the year but I had already passed my yearly goal.  So my mileage total stands at 1017 miles for 2020!!

Hard to believe it was New Year’s Eve.  Obviously not going out to celebrate or going to a party. We debated about what to do but since we didn’t see our sons and daughter-in-law for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we decided on a low key take out evening and gift exchange at my son’s house. It was so nice to be around family (get out of spandex and into dress up clothes lol).

• Friday – DAY OFF for New Year’s Day. And my first run of 2021. Technically it was a virtual blogger run and a virtual 5k (NYRR Resolution Run). It’s always nice to have a real reason to run and to have the day off so you can run whenever the weather is at its best. So happy that there was no wind. In hindsight, I should have probably run 10 miles since a storm was predicted to be on the way. But I like my weekend long runs to be on the weekend and I don’t enjoy running them alone.

found another rock and a dry path 

and jumped with all the other bloggers – such a great bunch of ladies. I feel fortunate to have their virtual support.

• Saturday – Saturday weather lately has not cooperated for my long run. No problem. No races scheduled. I can easily run on Sundays.  So last night there was a few inches of snow and then it rained on and off most of the day… fingered crossed for clear roads for Sunday.

This weather has made re-think my lack of cross-training and with possible limited outdoor running locations, So I added a new member to my family:

I’m going to call him “George.” I have it set up in a spare bedroom (decorated with a Lake George theme) opposite a TV (so I can watch Netfix) and it also connects to my ipad and iphone for podcast listening.

Now that I have a bike, I enrolled in a free two month trial of Peleton and did a 30 min 90s bike ride.  Holy Moley! I was dripping in sweat.

Even though it was a rest day, I needed some fresh air so I decided to check out Five Rivers.  It was slushy, muddy and icy but so peaceful at dusk.

• Sunday – Rescheduled Long Run. The roads and paths were iffy. Slushy at best so I decided to return to the Crossings (again) and run on the neighborhoods roads near the park. Unfortunately I was solo today.  But surprisingly, all the paths were clear. I did a few loops and then the last few miles on the roads.

It was harder and slower than running with my friends but I was able to sing along with the Beatles on a Peleton run

After a bagel, chocolate milk and a soak in the hot tub, I was energized to take a hike before the next storm arrived.  I decided to wear my Yak Trax for the first time hiking. I was nervous But No slipping and sliding.  I may hit the trails more this winter (to walk not run.)

It started to snow pretty hard so my hike got cut short. This was at HollyHock Hollow.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday –  rest day, walk, bike
• Tuesday – run, walk
• Wednesday –  rest day, walk, bike
• Thursday – run, walk
• Friday – rest day, walk, bike
• Saturday –  LONG RUN, walk
• Sunday – rest day, walk/hike

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? Have the winter temps or snow hit? How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve 2020? Do you hike in the winter?  What do you wear on your feet? Please share.

If you celebrate, I hope you enjoyed a nice holiday (in spite of the Pandemic.)

our 2020 photo card

We had so much snow last week that I was afraid that it would be around until spring.  Quite challenging for this runner.

Then it rained. A lot! Slush. Ice. Yuck!

Good news for the week:

I met my goal for the year!!! Woo Hoo! Thrilled!!

Last Week –

• Monday – I’m always looking ahead at the forecast and trying to figure out when to run.  Although I ran 10 miles the day before, I had a busy work day and only got out after work.

Hello Darkness.  Where to go?

The Holiday Lights in the Park!! I didn’t know if I could run on the roads there but at least I could walk and get into the holiday spirit.

no ice or snow on the roads but so many potholes and puddles.

• Tuesday –  Today I had time to scout out the neighborhoods roads during lunch. Heat wave – 40 degrees! With the breeze and the high snow banks, it actually felt colder than the day before.

clear roads 🙂

• Wednesday – Another busy work day.  I was able to sneak in a walk in the sunshine during lunch.

hope it will melt by spring.. until then I’m stuck in the ‘hood

After work, I headed to UAlbany to see if they made any headway in clearing the paths. The path seemed clear at first but then there were too many icy spots so I decided to instead run in the road. That was too dangerous since the road was narrow due to the high snow banks and cars didn’t seem to slow down (There was traffic because this is also a COVID testing center).  In the end, I ran around the inner campus roads which were completely clear and no cars (since the school was closed). It worked.

• Thursday – Four days in a row of running (19 miles!!) Rest day on the schedule!! Heavy rain was predicted anyway. Since it had started yet, I went out for a holiday walk at lunch.

even a Jew can be festive on Christmas Eve…surprised to see part of the water line being plowed…still too muddy to walk or run on

I wish I had planned my running schedule better. With 50 degrees, I could have run in a skirt!!

And then the rain came so no Christmas Eve walk. Just some eggnog by the fireplace binge watching Netfix (while knitting).

• Friday – A pandemic Christmas celebration. My stepson went to his in-laws and we just did a gift drive-by at my MIL’s.  So a quiet day. I was hoping to squeeze in a run between the rain drops.  The good news about all this rain was that the snow was melting (until it becomes ice, that is). I started out my run on the rail trail that was clear until it wasn’t. It was also way warmer than I thought when the rain stopped (almost 60 degrees). I continued my run on the roads near the trail. Eventually the wind came which made it more comfortable and then it started to rain again. Luckily I was almost done.

over dressed for sure. I was sweating. Planned on at least 3 miles or maybe 4 but got carried away.

But with at least 4 miles, I finished my 2020 mileage goal a week early.

It rained on and off all day but with most of snow gone, I decided to check out the trails. I thought about Bozenkill or Wolf Creek but when it started to rain hard, I changed my mind to some place closer. I hadn’t been to HollyHock Hollow since summer and boy, was I surprised at the high raging creek.

It was like the rapids so mesmerizing. I would have stayed longer but it was getting dark.

• Saturday – Again, I decided that Sunday had warmer temps, more sun and less wind so Long Run Saturday became LONG RUN SUNDAY.

I woke up to the clear roads being dusted with more snow (and the temps in the 20s).  I was planning on a hike but I always get nervous about ice. But off I went anyway in search of high water and waterfalls.

First stop was Bozen Kill.  The trails were very icy and muddy but I did get some views of the creek as I waded through the snow.

The next stop, which was nearby, was Wolf Creek.  This one was fairly crowded but so icy that I didn’t go all the way to the big waterfall and walked back on the road. The small waterfall was pretty nice. I need to return here wearing Yak Trax.

My third stop was going to be Hannacroix Ravine but the parking lot was a mess and I didn’t want to park on the side of the road so I headed home.  On the way, I stopped at Five Rivers to see Vloman Kill.  This place was crowded as well.  Glad to see families out hiking. I was immediately informed that the loop around the creek lost the bridge and it was no longer a loop.  So I walked to the end and then walked back.

My final stop was to see the Normans Kill.  It was snowy but less icy than the other locations so was able to walk around for awhile.

Unfortunately, I’m kind of a wuss when it comes to hiking on the icy trails.  And there’s a lot of beauty out there in the winter.

• Sunday – A repeat of last week. All our bike paths will be ice covered for a while. So I returned to the Crossings and to my surprise, all the paths were clear.  It was cold (20s) but the sun was shining brightly and I had the company of one or two friends for ALL of my miles… the first time since October that no part of my run was solo.

we looped around the park several times…each time I removed one item of clothing (vest, mittens)… lots of great conversation made the miles go by quicker

No doubt, there will be another walk or hike before the day is done. And I have a masked knitting date tonight.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday –  rest day
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday –  run
• Thursday – rest day
• Friday – New Years – DAY OFF – virtual NYRR Resolution 5k
• Saturday –  rest day
• Sunday – LONG RUN

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? Have the winter temps or snow hit? How did you celebrate Christmas 2020? Please share.

I know it’s December but I have no gym access (and no equipment at home). Snow puts a real kink in my active life (especially when they predict one foot and you get 30 inches!!)

Thank you all for your kind words regarding my recent loss. I do appreciate you all being a part of my journey.

Running and hiking continue and keep me sane.

Last Week –

• Monday – I had to work in the evening so I had the morning off. Between the rain and snow showers, it was hard to figure out a time to get out the door. I just threw on my trail shoes and hit the road. It snowed the whole run but it was invigorating having snow flakes flying in my face. I chose a new trail that I was able to run on (for the most part).

too bad you can’t see the flurries in my pics.

And I still had more time so I continued with a walk on my favorite trail at Fiver Rivers.

I think I have an obsession with running water lol

• Tuesday – Today I had the day off from work. That meant I had time to go for both a run and a hike (even though it was freezing.)

First, I headed out for a sunny, yet frigid windy run. I drove the Albany end of the rail trail because I like the scenery there and I haven’t run there in a while. It did not disappoint despite that the first half was uphill.

When I returned, I drove to Salem Art Works to hike some of the trails. It was a long drive but I know hiking for the most part will end when ice and snow arrive so I’d better continue checking places off my list. The views were great and the artwork interesting.  The trails were not well marked, snowy and kinda slippery. So I spent more time walking around the artwork.

Afterward I headed to nearby Battenkill Creamery for….

I also picked up some of my favorite chocolate milk (and eggnog)

In the evening, I met my BFF for a long walk in the outdoor mall (brrrrr).

• Wednesday – I hadn’t planned on another day off from work but we had go to a funeral/burial for my grandson. RIP Julian Thomas ❤

Afterwards, I wasn’t in the mood for a run but I knew I needed to get out and a foot of snow was predicted overnight. So I bundled up and headed to the opposite end of the rail trail (from Tuesday.)

It was single digits with wind chill but felt warmer than the day before or maybe I just over dressed. Happy to see that the art work on the trees was still in tact.

After some grocery shopping, I decided to hit the trails… maybe for the last time without snow covering them.

the calm before the storm at Normans Kill West

• Thursday – No running or walking with all that snow. Glad to be working from home.

and still falling …

but once my hubby plowed out the driveway, I did put on my boots and went for a short walk at lunch (and then shoveled out my hot tub).

priorities

Obviously there was no way to drive or run…too much snow in the roads (and the plow has come by twice already) but again I went for a walk.  Sad to see all the holiday decorations buried.

• Friday – Undecided if I should run or not…always depends on whether I was planning a long run on Saturday or on Sunday. But between the snow and the frigid temps, Sunday seemed like a better day.

At lunch, I just headed out my front door to see if I could run safely in the roads. And I did …barely. Some roads still had a lot of snow so I had to run in the middle of the road but on some, the snow was packed down so it was easy to run on. But any run where the sun is shining is a good one.

The temp was in the teens but it didn’t really feel cold…just a vest instead of a jacket and I felt fine

After work, I headed to UAlbany to check out the paths and then for a walk with friends around an outside mall (per usual on Friday evenings.)

• Saturday – So where does one hike with two feet of snow covering? Still trying to figure that one out. I think I need to buy snowshoes or cross country skis!! Instead, I got my workout in by shoveling the snow off our deck.

• Sunday – Re-Scheduled Long Run Day.  It was not warm but warmer. I headed over to the Crossings in hopes that their paths may be plowed and if not, I could run in the roads.   The paths were plowed but still slippery so we decided to run in the roads (in a nearby neighborhood.) Stan joined Karen & I for the first few miles and I ran just with Karen. When she left, I just continued on my own until I bumped into a former student of mine.

running is so much easier with friends!!

I had a busy afternoon planned. I had booked a holiday tour of Ten Broeck Mansion at 2:30 pm. Unfortunately, it got cancelled due to the snow.

Another thing to add to my list for next year.

and then I also had a ZOOM with my college friends scheduled for 4:30 pm. Always great connecting with these folks.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday –  run
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday –  run
• Thursday – rest day
• Friday – Christmas – DAY OFF, run
• Saturday –  rest day
• Sunday – Long Run

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? Have the winter temps hit? How is your holiday decorating and shopping going? Please share.