It’s always something. I felt fine after my 13 mile run on Saturday.  I did some gardening and then woke up Sunday with pain and stiffness in my lower back on the right side. (I should mention is that I’ve had this exact pain in the past starting years ago after pulling up a boat anchor.)

So I went for two hikes.  No pain when walking.  Still stiff and painful when I bent over or got up from a seated position.

I woke up Monday morning even more stiff so I googled my symptoms (doesn’t everyone?)

Google Diagnosis: Lower Back Strain: Bending over increases the strain on a person’s back, which can result in pain. Lower back strain is a common cause of back pain when bending over. The position can put significant pressure on the lower back, causing the muscles and ligaments to stretch excessively. A strain in the area can also cause inflammation, which can lead to muscle spasms.
Recommended Treatments: Resting the back for 1–3 days can help reduce muscle pain, as can taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some over-the-counter (OTC) options include ibuprofen and naproxen. Massage, applying ice and heat, and using electrical muscle stimulation therapies may also help. Physical therapy exercises can strengthen the back and help prevent further injuries
My Treatments: Taking Naproxen (have some from a previous injury), applying ice and spending time in my hot tub, using my trigger gun, walking, running and hiking only if not painful. No virtual races this week!! May even trying some exercises. Oh and I made an appointment with my chiropractor to see if she could work some magic.

❤ ❤ – perfect temps to soak…haven’t used it all summer and just cleaned and re-heated it…must have known something lol

So I have fully embraced Fall for its flowers

love this color asters

and food

haven’t visited the orchards yet to get the real thing…

Why do I say that I don’t like Virtual Races and then sign up for another??

Because I wanted to support the Lake George Conservancy…they maintain all 14 trails in the Lake George area.  I have never done this trail because it is difficult and I would not sign up for a trail race.  Now that’s it’s virtual, I could run its 4.5 miles anywhere.

Oct 2-5, 2020 – oops that’s when I’ll be NH – I guess I’ll either run it there or before I leave.

Last Week –

• Monday – Sat in the hot tub instead of walking before work . Unfortunately, sitting all day is the worst thing for a sore back. I went for a short walk at lunch just to stretch.

walking felt great… and still finding new flowers blooming

I met a running friend after work at the Corning Bike path.  We just walked (although I was tempted to run).

6 miles followed by grocery shopping

• Tuesday – I started the day again with a soak in the hot tub instead of a chilly walk … almost frosty out there.

I did a short walk during lunch.

parts of my water line need trimming

Since I hadn’t run since Saturday, I decided to drive to UAlbany and run a few miles.

I did feel discomfort in my back… so I walked often

After my run, I started my weekly STEM volunteering assignment.  I have done this in the past but this year, it will just be walking instead of training for a 5k. (The goal of STEM is: EMPOWERING DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS THROUGH THE SPORT OF RUNNING… hopefully, it will be back to running in the spring.) This group was made up of young women in a substance abuse treatment facility – they refused to wear masks, were texting and swearing…. I may not go back next week 😦

• Wednesday – As I mentioned above, I made an appointment with my chiropractor.  I had started seeing her when I had a calf injury and she performed ART and completely cured me. After that, I planned to see her for monthly tune-ups. I think the last time was last November after my marathon… and then came the foot pain and the pandemic.

Her diagnosis was that my body was TOTALLY out of alignment and that I have tight hip flexors due to sitting all day. The pain in my lower back on the right is most likely caused by an inflamed SI joint. She worked on me for quite a while and gave me stretches to do before and after running.

before

after

I go back next Wed to see if there’s any improvement. Fingers crossed that she can work her magic and make me pain-free.

I celebrated commiserated with Starbucks and free pastry in my hot tub.

my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season – yum!

For our weekly Sole Sisters after work trail walk today, I suggested another new place (that I previewed last Sunday.) I walked it cautiously due to my painful SI joint. My back felt felt good…so happy that I went.

after we walked in the Conmunity Gardens, we crossed the road and continued into Tawasentha Park – the lack of blue skies today was due to the smoke from the fires

• Thursday – woke up to news that a restaurant in front our our marina burned to the ground overnight. Very sad and very scary for us boaters.

No time for a morning walk bur I get one in at lunch…

signs of Fall in the ‘hood

And then after work, I had planned on a run but decided to rest the back …

 and go for a peaceful hike.

the trails at the Pine Hollow Arboretum always make me feel better

Afterward, I drove to meet my BFF for an outdoor mall walk to catch up and chat. Pain is minimal when I walk and the longer I walk, the better I feel (but it may only be mental lol).

• Friday – Rest Day Friday. I’ve been getting lazy with my pre-work walk but still try to squeeze one during lunch.

And of course, ended my day with my weekly walk on the rail trail with former co-workers.

introduced my friends to the water line trail… followed by a parking lot picnic

• Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. Today we were back on the Zim Smith Trail with brunch at Leah’s. With no real races on my schedule until maybe February, I just try to connect with friends, run some miles and eat good food. Due to my back pain, it wouldn’t have been smart to run 13 miles again.  In fact, I probably should have skipped it totally.  But I did not.  I decided to run/walk and see how I felt. It ended up only being a 6 mile walk but I was so glad to have the company of three friends who walked as well and of the others afterward (and Leah’s quiche).

a beautiful blue skies day. started out pretty chilly but warmed up nicely

After errands and  housework, still feeling energetic on this beautiful fall day so I went for a hike. I bumped into my chiropractor there and she wanted to know how my back felt running. She was surprised that I was NOT running. (She know me lol)

so lucky to live close to Five Rivers Environmental Center

Then I went to see where my former co-worker (whom I walk with on Fridays) is moving.

it has access to one of my favorite nature preserves – Phillipin Kill

• Sunday – Since I had not run on Saturday, I met a friend in the morning on the rail trail to test out my back and see how it felt to run.  There was no pressure since I already completed my 13 mile run last week and if it hurt too much, I could cut it short and walk again. Not 100% but seems like I am on the mend.

patience is the word that I am pointing too. It seems that taking time off this week and just walking instead of running helped. not the 12 miles that were on my plan but happy with the relatively pain-free miles.

Normally today would be a day to go boating with the hubby. But the temps are getting fall-like and I have to accept that our swimming days are over. Still, the lake is beautiful in the fall and I hope to continue our boating until the middle of October.

Instead of boating, I took Big Red on its first road trip. I drove to Zim Smith (where I walked on Saturday) and rode 7 (slow) miles.

Both my legs and the bike need a tune-up, I think. But it was pretty enjoyable.

On my way home, I stopped at a new trail, Ushers Road State Forest. It’s actually connected at some point to Zim Smith but I drove to its entrance.

very pretty and will be even more so when the leaves change color

This Coming Week – 

• Monday –  rest day, bike, hike
• Tuesday –  run, STEM walk
• Wednesday – rest day, chiro appt, trail walk at Vosburgh Trails
• Thursday –  hike, tennis party
• Friday – rest day, walk with friends
• Saturday – LONG RUN at Corning Bike Path
• Sunday – rest day, My MIL’s 96th birthday party

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? Any “real” races yet?  How are you embracing Fall? Anyone ever suffer from SI pain? Please share.

Love those 4 day work weeks. In this case, it was a Monday holiday so I thought it would be a challenge finding a hike without lots of people. But it was not 🙂

I said that I’m not a fan of virtuals and yet I completed a few this week. LOL

I usually run this as a 5k. Well, for $25, I could run both, get a mask, maybe an AG award and $10 off next year’s race. Plus support local charities. It seemed like a no brainer to sign up.

Last Week –

• Monday – As I mentioned last week, since I had today off, I decided to sleep on our boat so I could get an early start.

First I had breakfast at the marina (see pic below for my view) and then I went for a run on my usual route.

Next on my plan was a hike.  I got some recommendations and choose Mt Severance which was about 30 minutes away. It had nice views, a big parking lot and though it was straight uphill, the trail was well marked.

At the top, there was a view of Schroon Lake (in the pic of me) and then also a view of Paradox Lake (bottom left)

Since I was nearby to Schroon Lake, I decided to stop and walk around town.  The wind had really picked up.  My hubby made the right call not to go boating today.

the waves on the lake are due to the wind. I had actually signed up to do a half here in a few weeks but of course, it is now virtual.

• Tuesday – I was planning on a rest day. But this week was quite busy work-wise. I wasn’t able to get out for an early morning walk and I had a ZOOM scheduled for after work so I decided to run my virtual 5k during lunch.

As I mentioned last week, I have been struggling with speed. This week was even worse.  I can give a lot of excuses – tired legs from the day before, no shade, warmer, more humid yada yada.  But I got it done and I have 6 more to go.

lots of rest stops and I was dripping by the end (and I don’t sweat)

I am actually seeing my college friends more often thanks to ZOOM.

we spent our junior year in Nice, France together many many years ago

• Wednesday – A busy work day and a rest day. I didn’t even get out for a morning or lunch walk so after work I was determined to go hiking. I decided to go visit the trails that was on the plan for the next day. There were several loops you could take but I wanted to get to the end and see French’s Hollow Falls. The trails started out with just grass and then changed to woods around the lake.  I couldn’t figure out how to get to the Falls so I just turned around and took a shorter (yet more challenging) way back.  Then I drove to the Falls.

3 miles on the Vosburgh Trails

• Thursday – Rain was predicted for today. I had wanted to get in a run but I knew that it might not happen. It rained on and off all morning. And it was POURING at lunch. So NADA.

But it finally stopped raining by the time I ended work. For our weekly Sole Sisters after work trail walk, I suggested a new place, Vosburgh Trails (which I had previewed the day before).

we followed the trail all the way to the Falls and back (3.5 miles)

• Friday – Rest Day Friday. Normally. But I hadn’t run the past two days.  So I decided to run during lunch since it was cool and breezy (didn’t realize until too late how humid it was).

why not do my virtual race a week early? If you are wondering…my times are getting slower not faster and I know the flower matched my shirt lol

And of course, I ended my day with my weekly walk on the rail trail with former co-workers. We walked 5.66 miles or 9.11K to honor this day!

• Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. Today we were back on the rail trail with brunch at Emma’s. With no real races on my schedule until maybe February, I just try to connect with friends, run some miles and eat good food each weekend.

The weather was perfect for running. In fact, when I started it was chilly (in the 40s) but it quickly warmed up and I shed my gloves and arm warmers.  I ran 2 quick miles before Deirdre arrived.  Then we ran 10 miles (30:30 intervals) together. Debbie joined us for a few miles (and finally Heidi). Then they decided to add another mile. I could have quit but I figured why not just go for it.

an impromptu half marathon

I ate back all the calories burned at brunch.

I guess I could count this as my virtual race(s) too

• Sunday – Normally Sunday is my day to go boating with the hubby provided the weather cooperates. I can’t complain because we’ve had some great boating Sundays.

our previous Sunday on Lake George

Today the weather was iffy (and my hubby had a tennis match) so we decided to skip it. I went on a hike instead.  It was great… all alone in the woods but met up with the race director from the virtual race that I did.  He remembered me since I usually run the race (and win my AG). We talked racing, of course.

100 Acre Woods Trails – a new one for me

me & the RD in 2014

I only walked about 2 miles.  Weeding was on the schedule for the afternoon and another hike.

Community Gardens Trails – decided to preview them for this coming week’s group trail walk

This Coming Week – 

• Monday –  rest day, walk with friends
• Tuesday –  run, STEM walk
• Wednesday – rest day, chiro appt, trail walk
• Thursday – run, walk with BFF
• Friday – rest day, walk with friends
• Saturday – LONG RUN 
• Sunday – rest day, Boating on Lake George

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? Any races yet?  Are you looking forward to Fall? Please share.

I get sad when Fall is approaching. It means the end of flowers. The end of boating. The days are getting shorter. Soon my group walks and hikes after work will have to end as well as bike paths to run on. Sigh.

Until then, I plan to enjoy what’s left.

I had a discount code and could do this virtual race series for free so I signed up.  Maybe it’ll get me motivated to fun faster (…or not.)

They give you the routes but since I don’t live in MASS, I could just run anywhere. One 5k each week for 8 weeks starting Aug 31 and ending Oct. 25.

Last Week –

• Monday – It was actually chilly when I woke up.  Too bad I had declared it a rest day since I had run 12 miles the day before (Grr…Sunday runs mess up my week!)

Instead, I sneaked out for a short bike ride on Big Red in the neighborhood.

my sunflower was very sad this am…I have planted my first fall mums.

At lunch, I headed back to walk in our local park.

had enough time for both loops today

And it was so nice outside so I decided to drag my weary legs out for run. My running friend, Deirdre, suggested walking in Washington Park which wasn’t part of my plan so I parked my car and ran to meet her at Starbucks.  We walked around the park and then I ran back to my car.  Mission accomplished.

1.5 miles before and .5 after + flower views 🙂

• Tuesday – No time for a walk before work (though it was again beautiful outside).

I did squeeze in a short walk during lunch

I’ve posted this before but they seem to change colors each week

and after work, I thought about a run at UAlbany before I met my BFF for a walk around an outside mall. But then I offered to pick up race swag for a running buddy and realized that Six Mile Waterworks was nearby. So change in running plans.  Glad I did too.  A mixture of road, trails, sand and lots of interesting nature views.  The only downside was that I fell toward the end. (Very dirty and bloody but no serious injuries). It confirmed to me that I should NEVER run a trail race lol.

every now and then I jump…this was before the fall. Love this time of year because of all the monarch butterflies around.

• Wednesday – I decided on a rest day because I knew I’d be hiking after work.  I had thought I could at least squeeze in a walk during lunch but it poured all morning and continued to rain most of the day 😦

Finally the rain ended by the time I finished work. For our weekly after work trail walk this week, we went back to the trails at the Pine Bush but drove to the Water Tower (purple trail) and did an out and back and then a loop for 3.25 miles.

not the most exciting trail but the exercise and the company were great

• Thursday – I had to go to work to print stuff and I thought I had time to squeeze in a run first. Remember I signed up for a virtual 5k each week for the next 8 weeks. Unfortunately it would have been too rushed so instead I took a quick walk so I could photograph more flowers.

found one!

That meant that my “virtual” 5k had to happen during my lunch break.  I stopped off at the rail trail on my way home from the office.  It was sunny and very humid and I was hungry but I had no choice but to just “DO IT.”

5K #1 completed with negative splits and a delicious post run Indian lunch.

I have been running with walking intervals with a pace of 13:XX or so. No big deal. Not racing. Just enjoying the outdoors and being with friends. I decided with these 8 5ks that I would try and push the pace.  Not race them but just be uncomfortable.  Not easy when you haven’t run more than 45 seconds without walking.

I did not walk but I stopped to tie my shoes 2x and take pics and catch my breath many times (and I think my Apple watch does auto-pause.)

This 5k made me realize that I have a lot of work to do if I want to return to my former 27:XX 5k times.  Not sure that I care.  However each week, I can work on something different.  This week I decided to just stop when winded rather than walking which of course, would not happen in a “real” race.

• Friday – Rest Day Friday. No running but some walking…

in the ‘hood before work

I followed this (sightly wounded) butterfly around)…I am monarch obsessed at this time of year

at the preserve at lunch and one last look at the nearby sunflower farm.

they are fading a bit…still pretty

And of course, ended my day with my weekly walk on the rail trail with former co-workers. I convinced them to meet at the Voorheesville end to show them the art work hanging from the trees.

They loved it. And afterward we hung out and had some wine and cheese.  Such a fun evening.

• Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. This week, we chose the Nisky Bike Path.  As usual, I arrived first to run a few miles with Alyssa and then paired up to run intervals with Deirdre and Jan.  12 miles done!!!

getting ready for our virtual half in NH

Of course, the highlight was our group brunch afterwards. (Cinnamon Swirl pancakes and bacon this week).

• Sunday – Boating Days are limited. Today was the annual Christmas on Log Bay party.  Surprisingly, it was allowed to take place.

Xmas party on the lake – 2019

The weather was warm and we invited 2 friends on our boat. Such a fun day!!

2020 version

Because I had the next day off  from work, I planned to stay overnight on the boat so I could get up early and run and hike.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – DAY OFF, run, hike
• Tuesday –  rest day, ZOOM with college friends
• Wednesday –  run 
• Thursday – run, trail walk
• Friday – rest day, walk with friends
• Saturday – LONG RUN 
• Sunday – rest day, Boating on Lake George

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? Any races yet?  Are you looking forward to Fall? Please share.