A new running year and time to start training.

For me that means, long runs on the weekend to prepare for all those Half Marathons that I signed up for…

Crazy me!

Anyway, the first one is Feb. 19.

This one will be the hardest since my last one was in November so there was a restful break in training.  And of course, there’s the cold, snowy, icy weather which can always derail my running.

After that, although I have half marathons in March, April and May… hopefully, I will stay heathy and just maintain the miles and the weather will warm up and the bike paths clear….

Last Week:

• Sunday -Winter Series #2 Race.

The choice was a half marathon or 5.5K 3.75m. The shorter distance for me! And since I ran 7 miles the day before, this was just a “fun” run with friends. But it was very windy and chillier than I was dressed for.  I started run/walking intervals with my friends but I was too cold to continue and so I just ran ahead by myself.

the BEST way to start a new year

Then I had to go to the Apple Store to pick up my new watch.  I’ve been procrastinating but my old one dates back to 2016!! ❤ it for everyday use… still a Garmin diehard for races.

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. It was a slow work day (because last week was so crazy) and I was able to run during lunch.

so exciting to see no snow or ice on the rail trail… Over dressed today, under-dressed yesterday. Will I ever get it right?

Then after work, I met my BFF for a long walk.

• Tuesday – Rest Day and a hair appt after work. Rainy day, anyway.

• Wednesday – I had plans to meet a running friend after work (as long as it wasn’t raining.)

With rain predicted for late in the day, I squeezed in a run during lunch…

and then another after work at Ualbany (because it didn’t start raining until 7pm).

Both runs were slow with walk intervals so I didn’t overdo things.

• Thursday – Busy work day so I could only get my run done after work. Besides again, it was rainy off and on most of the day.

I didn’t want to drive back to UAlbany (since I was WFH) so I took a chance and ran in town. I got it done before it got too dark.

• Friday – A Rainy Rest Day!!

A stop at the office and the evening with the mah jongg ladies.

• Saturday – Long Run Day. 8 miles on my plan.  So happy with the thaw that the bike paths were clear and my friends were available.

nice weather, friends and run/walk intervals definitely made the miles enjoyable and brunch after (8 of this week)

• Sunday – It is time to hit the trails. I haven’t been in weeks.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF – run, hike with a friend
• Tuesday – run at lunch, dentist appt
• Wednesday – rest day (train to NYC???)
• Thursday – run after work (NYC?)
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg (or train home??)
• Saturday – Long Run (9 miles)
• Sunday –   Winter Series #3 race (5.5k)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Best of 2022 (Race Awards)
• Friday – 5 Things That Motivate Me

Happy Running! How is your running year beginning? Any new goals? Training for any races? Have an Apple Watch? Please share.

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.

Many people in my office took this past week off. I did not. I save my time off for vacations.

IOW, work was busy but I tried to get my runs in.

Today I even am running the usual New Year’s Day (informal) race.

Last Week:

• Sunday – Started the day off with a Christmas run (even though we didn’t celebrate the holiday). It was chilly but at least no negative wind chill temps.

ran in town parallel to the icy rail trail.. in my holiday garb

For dinner, we hit our favorite Chinese restaurant and then visited my MIL.

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. Long Run re-scheduled!

I had planned to run with a friend at the Crossings but he wasn’t feeling well so plan B was one loop solo at UAlbany and the 2nd loop with a running friend.

sunnier on my first loop but it was nice to have company on the 2nd.

• Tuesday – Rest Day (after 4 days in a row of running). Back to work and then a mall walk after work.

after reading Lisa’s blog, I had to try the peppermint Frosty – it didn’t disappoint

• Wednesday – Another busy work day so I could only run after work at UAlbany. I was thrilled again to have some company on this boring route.

gorgeous sunset and no wind… perfect evening for a run

• Thursday – I had to squeeze in my run during lunch.  At least I had time to drive somewhere…..

parked at park n ride and ran around an apt complex for a change of scenery on this sunny day

and then after work, I took my younger stepson out to dinner as a Xmas gift. It was nice to catch up…

• Friday – Rest Day and I hosted mah jongg at my home (so I had to work and then clean = not so restful.)
• Saturday – Long Run Day.

It was balmy compared to last Saturday and I even had company on the run. Still our normal running paths were covered with residual ice and snow. So we ran at the Crossings and in the nearby roads… It was one of my faster long runs… Running with others can make you push the pace.

ran the first 2.5 miles with Stan and then joined Barbara, Sherry & Judy for the rest… We even got very sweaty!!! Then met Chris, Denise & Deb for brunch

• Sunday – Winter Series #2 Race.

The choice was a half marathon or 5.5K.  The shorter distance for me! And since I ran 7 miles the day before, this will again just be a “fun” run.

And it doesn’t start until noon…

Perfect since although the hubby & I didn’t go out, we did stay up until midnight watching TV and drinking champagne.

last year!! I expect this year’s race to be MUCH SLOWER and maskless!

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run 
• Tuesday – rest day, hair appt
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run,
• Sunday –   rest day, hike?

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday –2022 Recap and Look Ahead to 2023
• Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races to start off the year? How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve? Please share.

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.

Chanukah or Christmas….Hope it was a good one!!

my house

And on Monday, I reached my yearly mileage goal. Woo Hoo!

Not everyone cares but to me, it’s important because it means that I had a healthy year (zero injuries). It also means that I didn’t use excuses (like too hot, too cold, too busy, too tired, etc.) to skip runs.

Last Week:

• Sunday – Work has been crazy busy so although I did run 6 miles on Saturday, I felt the need to add in another short run today.

My plan was to run early and then join my running friends for brunch (postponed from Saturday).  Yes, we brunch even if we don’t run. LOL.

Well, I procrastinated and so I had to run AFTER brunch.

ran through town (on the cleared roads)

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. I had plans after work so I squeezed in a run at lunch.

And guess what?

2022 mileage goal met!!

Then I took my BFF out to dinner to celebrate her birthday.

sorry this is last year’s pic but the special dessert was Cannolis.

• Tuesday – Rest day!  No time to run during the work day and had errands to run after work.
• Wednesday – Back at it for a lunch run in the neighborhood.

sunny but COLD!!!

• Thursday -Definitely difficult with work and the weather to get my run in… So I had to skip it.

In the evening I attended our annual tennis holiday party… Food, drink, music, gifts… always a fun evening.

• Friday – This is my usual rest day since I don’t like to run before a long run day… but with crazy weather predicted (rain, wind, freezing temps) I decided to squeeze in a run before work.

it felt like spring – notice no beanie, gloves or jacket and I SWEAT!

But as predicted, the wind got insane as the day progressed and the temps dropped. I made the right decision.

Even mah jongg got cancelled. But I did get together with a friend for a holiday drink (it was COLD and WINDY but the roads were ok.)

• Saturday – Long Run Day.

Again a challenge to choose a location where there was no ice or snow. And with the wind and cold temps (neg degrees with the wind chill), I had no takers on a run companion.

I went solo and then joined them for brunch. Unfortunately I procrastinated too long and only had time for a short one… Long run is postponed until Monday!

It was frigid but not really as bad as I expected (only my face was cold). Brunch was yummy with great conversation and got a surprise gift (a small bag) from my friend Denise.

• Sunday – Normally we’d be celebrating with the family but my stepson went to his in-laws and my MIL was not feeling well so the celebration got postponed until New Year’s Day.

I am planning another short run and then the hubby and I want to go out for Chinese.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF, Long Run
• Tuesday – rest day, dinner with stepson
• Wednesday – run after work
• Thursday – run during lunch
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg chez moi
• Saturday – Long Run (7 miles)
• Sunday –   Winter Series #2 race (5.5K)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – 2022 in Photos
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races run or planned for the end of the year? Getting ready for the holidays?  Any parties planned or attended? Do you have a yearly mileage goal? If so, how are you doing? Please share.

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.

I must say that it was way easier to schedule runs when you work from home.

But my job is now starting to require us to travel.

Last Week:

• Sunday – Upset stomach (from too much partying the night before) and snow falling did not stop me from running my last race of the year.

I did decide to run most of it slowly with a running friend who was recovering from an injury.

We both stayed upright, had fun so I’m glad I didn’t wimp out and stay home.

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday….

With a busy week ahead, I wanted to make sure I ran today especially since it was my day off.

Coincidentally, two of my running friends were available to run with me… the challenge was to find a path that was not snow-covered.

6″ of snow on the paths so we ran in the roads

We decided it was too cold, windy and icy to hike so instead I went to TJs.

• Tuesday –  With travelling for work, you never know if you will be able to run at all…

I hate to skip runs but I was just too pooped to get up early.

So I rented a car, drove to LI (3.5 hrs), checked into my hotel, and set up for the next day.

It was still light enough to squeeze in a run..

a short one cuz I was hungry and running out of daylight.

• Wednesday – Long work day and my only running option would be the hotel treadmill….

or so I thought…

amazing holiday displays in the park where I ran the day before… of course I did run a little (until it got too crowded).

I did grow up in this neighborhood but unfortunately my high school friends were both on vacation (in warmer climates) so I had eat dinner solo.

• Thursday – After work, I had to drive back home so no running today.

A rainy, snowy grueling 5.5 hour drive…..UGH!!!

• Friday – Another rest day because I never like to run a day before a long run.

But I had to go into the office in the morning for a holiday breakfast/meeting.

Mah jongg cancelled due to an impending snowstorm so I met a friend for wine instead.

• Saturday – Long Run!  But where? And with whom?

No one was available so I had to run alone.  I decided to drive to UAlbany hoping the paths would be cleared.

Nope.  Still snow-covered so I ran 2 loops in the road (I could have stayed home and run in my neighborhood.)

sunny but oh so windy!!

Instead of exchanging gifts, we had a really nice dinner out with my stepson and his wife.

• Sunday – A few miles planned in the neighborhood and then meeting my running friends for our postponed brunch.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run, BFF b-day dinner
• Tuesday – rest day
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run, tennis holiday party
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run
• Sunday –   hike? family dinner postponed until New Year’s.

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Bling 2022
• Friday – Compression Socks – Yay or Nay?

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races run or planned for the end of the year? Getting ready for the holidays?  Any parties planned or attended? Do you have to travel for work? If so, how do you fit in your runs? Please share.

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.