During the last few weeks, I had been teaching live for several days but this week, I was working from home everyday.  That makes it so much easier to schedule runs, walks and workouts.

If only it weren’t so cold outside and I wasn’t suffering from an awful cold (that turned into bronchitis)….

Last Week –

• Sunday – As I mentioned last week, I starting feeling off on Wednesday evening and progressively felt sicker and sicker each day following.  The weather was on my side because it got worse and even if I were healthy, I wouldn’t have wanted to run.

Today it was snowy overnight and in the morning but the snow let up so I decided to see what I could do.

I drove to UAlbany and the paths were clear and salted.. and so I walked, coughed, ran, coughed and walked…and finished a loop. Not pretty but done.

• Monday – DAY OFF – Holiday. 

I really wanted to go for a run but my cold wasn’t much better and I thought a rest day was called for and so I stayed home and read. All.Day.

I finished two books

and then went to the mall to stretch my legs..

• Tuesday – As I said it was a WFH week so at lunch, I decided to brave freezing cold…

I just couldn’t stay out there long…

• Wednesday – Even colder and windier today… and with this never ending head cold/cough, I decided not to join my friends in an after work run.

They said “it was horrible!!

• Thursday –  A slight warm up and an evener colder weather and a snowstorm on the way and so I dragged myself outside after work.

mostly in daylight… a deer and dino… otherwise it was a tough one…

• Friday- Still feeling lousy so I decided to see a doctor after work.. Diagnosis: Bronchitis.  (Negative tests for Flu and COVID 🙂 ).  So I have medication to take and hopefully I will improve soon. In the meantime, I was told not to run (esp. in these cold temps.)

Instead of hosting or attending mah jongg, I finished another good book…

Next up – The Correspondent!

• Saturday – No running outside for any of my friends.

not even I was tempted…

I decided to have a stress-free week and focus on getting healthy so I…

• • Cancelled my NYC hotel for next Saturday night
  • Cancelled my RT train tix
  • Cancelled my race entry  (no refund but I can pay to run it next year without entering the lottery).

I know it was a week away but I haven’t been running much, the weather is the pits and it would not be a smart idea to run a hilly 10k. (Sorry Cari. I was hoping to catch up.)

Besides, I get to run there for the NYC Half in March.

• Sunday – WS#4 was scheduled. 3.5 miler or 15k or 30k.  Although I registered for the 3.5 miler, before I got sick, I had planned to switch to the 15k….  It may have been too cold to do either…

Good News: the race was cancelled.
Bad News: it was re-scheduled for a week later (I was scheduled to be in NYC running the Manhattan 10k)
Good News: I decided to DNS the NYC race so I am available for this race if I am recovered.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday –  gym?
• Tuesday – gym? mall walk?
• Wednesday –  tennis dinner
• Thursday –  STEM zoom bd mtg, register for the NYC Mini 10k
• Friday –mah jongg
• Saturday – run/walk and brunch
• Sunday – WS #4?

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – My Word for 2026
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  How ‘s your winter weather? Hope you are staying healthy.  Being sick sucks! 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.

Sun, Mon, Tues – 12 week miles… no bad weather and WFH 🙂

Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat – 0 miles… rain, work, sickness, snow 😦

Last Week –

• Sunday – WS#3. For this free race, you could choose from a 3.5 miler, 10k or 25k. I thought I had signed up for the 3.5 like I ran on New Year’s Day.  But it turned out that I had registered for the 10k.  The weather was great and it started at 10 am.  So I decided to give it a go.

There were so many familiar faces (and food) which made it such a fun event. And as I did last time, I came in 2nd in my age group.

After some errands and other household chores, I went to dinner with two former co-workers that I hadn’t seen in ages.

• Monday – WFH so I hit the gym first thing (as I hadn’t been there since last Tuesday) and then I was able to meet Jenny for a short run at lunchtime.

snow almost gone!!

• Tuesday – Another gym morning…

with beautiful morning skies…

and then I met Jenny for the same run as the day before but in a different location.

warmer, windier and felt a lot harder 😦

• Wednesday – Last WFH day but I had to go set up for my live teaching the next two days after which I planned to meet two friends for a late run (if it weren’t raining.).  When it’s dark, as I’ve mentioned before, UAlbany is the safest place to run.

After I set up, it started to rain and my friends cancelled.  I also started to feel crappy (so I was relieved not to run  for a 4th day in a row).  Instead I walked around the mall.

• Thursday – No WFH today so there was Starbucks and my voice was raspy… (Was I coming down with something?)

Good news was than my voice improved as the day went on but I still didn’t feel great.  Again my friends bailed on an after work run but it was cold and drizzly so I did too. I even cancelled a visit to my granddaughter.

• Friday- Still not WFH…and it appeared that I was coming down with a cold.  I survived the day of teaching (with a box of tissues) but decided to cancel hosting mah jongg and relax at home.

I’m NOT a TV person but I got sucked into this series and finally finished it… Anyone else?

And it was our 27th wedding anniversary.  Hopefully we’ll celebrate next weekend.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.  As I mentioned above, our snow had melted and all our running paths were clear.  That unfortunately didn’t last as it snowed during the night and continued on and off during the day.

Some of my friends did venture out to run, some chose the treadmill.  I waited for the snow to stop and it snowed all day… I guess it was rest day #4!!

• Sunday –gym, long run, stay in bed?

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – DAY OFF (HOLIDAY) – run
• Tuesday – gym, walk
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run
• Friday –mah jongg chez moi
• Saturday – Long Run or Walk and Brunch
• Sunday – WS#4 – 3.5m or 15k?

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Staying Motivated during the winter blah months
• Friday – 5 Healthy Comfort Foods to fuel your winter miles

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  How ‘s your winter weather? Any plans for the long weekend? 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.

No single digit temps this past week.  In fact, we saw 40 degrees.

Unfortunately, I was NOT working from home for three days (so that meant a lot of Starbucks).

But the week ended on a high note…

Last Week –

• Sunday – I started the day at the gym.. After using the machines, I walked on the track.  Zumba on Sunday is always below.  One day, I’ll leave my comfortable zone and give it a try…

I had planned on brunch/walk with my BFF and then drinks/apps with a friend in the evening.

My BFF cancelled. Luckily I was able to change my plans and have a later brunch with my friend.

That left me with some free time for errands, stuff around the house and a walk around the mall.

• Monday – WFH so I was able to meet Jenny for a short run at lunchtime.

the sun peaked out for a millisecond… it was cold but not that much wind 🙂

Lucky us.  It started to snow as soon as we were done.

• Tuesday – I hit the gym before work and then for my last WFH day this week, I met Jenny for the same run as the day before.

a big warm up. 30 degrees!!

• Wednesday – Live teaching today… and an extra early day. And a rainy one…

• Thursday – No WFH again today but I did meet a friend after work for a run.  When it’s dark, UAlbany is the safest place to run and the paths are salted and clear.

• Friday- Still not WFH…

pretty sunrise…

A very windy day so I wasn’t sad not to get in a run.

The day ended with mah jongg…

• Saturday – One of my college friends (Valerie) was not able to join us for our reunion back in September.

So I planned another mini one (but it turned out to be just the two of us). The day had a French theme since we went to France together our junior year of college.

Too bad rain was in the forecast…

We both arrived in Manhattan by Amtrak around the same time (Valerie was coming from RI).  Our first stop was the Brooklyn Museum (via the subway) to try to get same day tix to the Monet in Venice exhibit (the online ones were sold out). Unfortunately with subway cancellations, we had to change trains and then walk.  The available tix were too late in the day so we headed back to Manhattan. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and walked to Bryant Park (since it hadn’t started raining yet.)  We wanted to check out the new French pastry shop there.  Then we walked to the Morgan Library to see the Renoir exhibit (and now it was raining).  We enjoyed it but since we didn’t visit Monet, we had extra time.  So we walked (in the pouring rain) and stopped at the NY Public Library to check out a few free exhibits. Finally we decided to call it a day and walked back to the train station and to hang out at the bar while waiting for our trains.

Well, sometimes things just don’t go as planned but it was fun to spend the day together with an old friend.

• Sunday – WS #3 Race  (5k or 10k). Since I missed my long run this week, I may run the 10k but I’ll decide at the last minute.

In the evening, I have a re-scheduled dinner with two former co-workers…

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – gym
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run
• Friday –mah jongg chez moi (and my wedding anniversary – 27 years)
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
• Sunday – gym, ??

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Best of 2025
• Friday – Staying Motivated when it’s freezing

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  How did you celebrate NYE  or NYD? 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 do love it when Hanukkah and Christmas are around the same time. Since I celebrate both.

Of course, Christmas is much more festive.

Gotta love ChatGPT!

In case you missed it on FB and IG, here is this year’s card:

Last Week –

• Sunday – Since my granddaughter would be visiting her other grandparents on Christmas Day, we had breakfast with her this morning and gave her our gifts.

After that HUGE breakfast, I was thrilled that my friend Jenny asked me to go for a walk with her.

It was so cold and windy… frozen but we managed to get in 6 miles…

And I worked off enough calories (maybe) to be able to go to my SIL’s for dinner.

lots of food and this was dessert…

• Monday – WFH this week. Hooray.

I started off the day at the gym and then After work, I got in a short run before another predicted snowfall…

same route as last week but this time, Jenny accompanied me…

• Tuesday – I kept waiting for the snow… It never arrived… just  some drizzling so I able to go out to dinner to belatedly celebrate my BFF’s birthday.

• Wednesday – WFH (and I slept in instead of going to the gym although my cat woke me up at 4 am so I didn’t really sleep…)

Today Jenny and I were able to squeeze in a short WINDY run during lunch.

dry roads…

How did I celebrate Christmas Eve?

Eating leftovers and binge watching the rest of the Emily in Paris episodes.

yes, I know it’s very silly and unrealistic but I love the fashion, food and sights…

• Thursday – DAY OFF – Christmas Day!

more help from AI..

Looking ahead to the weekend weather, I decided to get in my long run since my family dinner was not until 3 pm.  Jenny who was training for Tokyo joined me for some of her miles.   She ran 12 miles and I did 8 (with some big hills!!) Thanks again to AI for making it look like Christmas. LOL

• Friday- WFH again… finally dragged myself to the gym.

feels like 1 degree but a beautiful sunrise.

I had planned on skipping mah jongg in favor of a Boxing Day party with the hubby.

But it got cancelled due the impending snowstorm.

• Saturday – LONG RUN and Brunch. Luckily, I had already done my long run on Thursday.

And yes, we did get that snowstorm…

I waited until my hubby cleared our driveway, bundled up (as it was FREEZING) and headed to UAlbany where I hoped there would be a clear path or road to run on.

mostly clear … glad that I remembered hand warmers!!!

• Sunday – Run w/friends, nail appt, ???

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – gym, running group holiday party
• Tuesday – run, walk
• Wednesday – run, NYE dinner out
• Thursday – DAY OFF – WS #2 Race (3.5 m)
• Friday – gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch, hair appt.
• Sunday – gym,??

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – 4th Quarter Update
• Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  Any vacations planned?  How did you celebrate the holidays? Have you joined the AI bandwagon? Anyone watch Emily in Paris? 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’m back in the Northeast and I think it feels colder since I was in Florida for several days…

I’m so grateful to be able to escape for a few days and am already looking forward to February.  I’ll be more than ready to leave these cold temps again.

Last Week –

• Friday – Although due to missing our connecting flight, we didn’t arrive at our friends’ place until 1:30 am, I was up bright and early to enjoy the warmer temps and go for a run.

sunshine & no layers= ❤

Then we went out to lunch and I met up with my ex-SIL (whom I hadn’t seen in over 20 years!)

sisters forever!! (and my favorite shrimp n grits)

For dinner, we carb loaded on homemade pizza and then went to a holiday concert.

• Saturday – RUNFluent Christmas Race. There was a 7k and a 7 hr race.  Heidi, Deirdre and I opted for the 7k which was only one loop.

We decided to stay together and run 30:30 intervals.  The course was flatter and less challenging that I expected… and so much fun!!

After we were done, Deirdre & I went out for another loop and then we hung around to cheer on the other runners,  many of whom completed a 50k.

the guys were running the 50k

Of course, a celebratory late lunch followed and drinks and some hot tub time in the evening.

• Sunday – I had to take advantage of the weather and again went out for an early neighborhood run.

I could get used to this…

After my run, we went out to breakfast.  And in the afternoon, we went to an outdoor bar and played music bingo (nope, no one won) and eventually went out to an early dinner.

We spent a relaxing evening in and watched a Hallmark movie: Oy to the World (in honor of the first night of Hanukkah.)

• Monday – Last day of vacation and last warm weather run.

We were treated to homemade strawberry waffles and then headed to the airport.

No flight drama for our return flights home.

• Tuesday – Back to reality and cold weather.

I had the morning off from work. So I headed to the gym first thing, then some grocery shopping, laundry and cooking.

In the afternoon, I went to the office and eventually to set up for my class the next day.

I met my BFF in the evening for a walk…

• Wednesday – First of 3 days of live classes….

That meant Starbucks on the way…

and to bundle up and search out dry pavement for a post work run…

in town and not as cold as previous days…

• Thursday – Same as the day before except that after work I attended my annual tennis friends holiday party.

fun evening with lots of food, music, gifts, etc…

• Friday- Last day of live teaching and mah jongg in the evening. Though it warmed up, it rained most of the day.  Good news: Snow is mostly gone.
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.

Though, the paths were clear of snow, the temps had dropped again and so I was wondering if the rail trail would be clear or would I end up at UAlbany?

phew, clear sailing..

Unfortunately, I had to run/walk my 8 miles solo but met (walking) friends after for brunch.

• Sunday – Plan to play Santa with my granddaughter (since she is spending Christmas with her other grandparents).  Then hit the gym, run some errands and eventually have dinner at  my SIL’s…

FYI:  Had to  join the cool kids with ChatGPT:

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run 
• Tuesday – run, b-day dinner with BFF, walk
• Wednesday – gym
• Thursday – run, Christmas dinner with the fam
• Friday – gym, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
• Sunday – gym, ??

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – RunFluent Christmas Race Recap 
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  Any vacations planned?  Do you like trail racing? Are you dealing with snow or ice? 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 returned from a work trip to NYC and then packed my bags…

Last Week –

• Sunday – I went for a run since I was going to miss my Monday and Tuesday runs.

doesn’t everyone get ice cream to warm up after a cold run?

Then I did some errands and even went to the gym.

I also finished decorating for the holidays… (Just a few shown below… I celebrate BOTH holidays…)

• Monday – I took an early train to Manhattan with Heidi, Deb, Stan and Sherry.

After I dropped my bag off at my hotel, we had a quick lunch and then headed to Radio City to see the Christmas Show (with the Rockettes).

Our next adventure was to take the subway to Brooklyn for a walking tour of the Holiday Lights in Dyker Heights.

After a quick dinner, we headed back by subway to Manhattan to check out the Holiday decorations around Rockefeller Center.

it was a cold day but we had loads of fun…

Last stop before my friends had to head home was a ride on the Christmas Carousel outside Macys 

we ran out of time although we did have tix.

a holiday drink at the bar at the train station (instead).

• Tuesday – A long work day. Subway to Jamaica, Queens. Work all Day. Subway back to Manhattan and then Amtrak home.
• Wednesday – I bailed on a short run after work (It was snowing, windy and very icy.)

and instead I packed for my Florida trip.

• Thursday – I got up to again snowy icy conditions…

and waited a bit before I ventured outside (with my trail shoes on)…

cold and windy… I froze (can you guess which snowman is real?

then worked a half day before I boarded a plane (with my friend Heidi) to Tampa, FL.

Our friends Deirdre and Kevin picked us up at the airport and drove an hour back to their home (where we would be staying until Monday.)

I’ll recap the rest of the week in my next WRD.

Check out IG and FB for photos.

weather looks much better than up North!!!!

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Friday – hanging out with friends, meeting my ex SIL for lunch, concert in the evening
• Saturday – RUNFluent Christmas (Trail) Run (7k)
• Sunday – hanging out with friends
• Monday – run, fly home
• Tuesday – run, walk w/BFF
• Wednesday – PM run?
• Thursday – run?, tennis holiday party
• Friday – gym, work holiday meeting, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
• Sunday – breakfast w/granddaughter, gym, dinner with the fam

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – 2025 in Photos
• Friday – Motivational Quotes That Keep You Going

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  Any warm weather vacations planned?  Do you enjoy checking out holidays decorations in your town?  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.

Yup, looking ahead to tomorrow’s work trip to NYC where I plan to check out ALL the holiday decorations..

and then on Thursday, I leave for Florida to visit a friend (and run a Christmas Trail Race).

Last Week –

• Sunday – I started the day at the gym and then went for a walk…

and it was soooo cold!

I started getting ready for the holiday… a little decorating, wrapping, addressing cards…

• Monday – DAY OFF – With the predicted snowstorm on its way, I knew I had to go for a run.

I met up with my friend Sue and after our run, we got coffee and tried to figure out our flights for the Asheville HM that we are running together in March.

One of our running friends (in black shirt) is moving to Tacoma, WA so we had a farewell party for her in the evening..

• Tuesday – Jenny & I tried to beat the snow with our early morning run.

and we did!! Barely…

It snowed the rest of the day.

In the evening, I was supposed to go to a special showing of Wicked 2 movie (sponsored by the the UAlbany Alumni Assoc.) but it got cancelled due to the snowstorm.

• Wednesday – Lots of snow!! But I was able to get out and drive to the gym.

we got about 6″

The main roads weren’t too bad so I went to the office…

’tis the season for egg nogg latte

Then I stopped at UAlbany to check the path conditions and get some steps in…

and then went shopping for some last minute gifts (ha ha, it’s only Dec. 3!)

• Thursday – WFH morning

coffee at home with some holiday spirit..

and then I met Jenny for a short run at lunch time.

snowing and windy. Brrrrr!

In the late afternoon, I met my BFF for a re-scheduled movie date.

• Friday – I didn’t even want to leave the house…

Eventually after work, I went to the gym when it warmed up to a balmy 20 degrees…

Mah Jongg in the evening…

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.  Too early to have to plan where to run before of the snow. 😦

Unfortunately we are limited to UAlbany loops or the roads.  This weekend, we chose the roads. (Smaller attendance than usual due to the weather and the holidays. I ran 7 miles with Barb,. Sherry & Stan ran on their own. Of course, brunch followed. (Sorry I forgot to snap a pic.)

In the evening, I got to baby sit for my granddaughter!!

4 hrs of Disney movies…

• Sunday – Gym visit planned and then packing for NYC trip (and maybe start for the Florida trip… holiday decorating too.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – Train to NYC, Radio City Christmas Show, Dyker Heights lights, more Manhattan holiday lights…
• Tuesday – work in Jamaica, Queens, train home
• Wednesday – PM run
• Thursday – AM run, PM fly to Tampa, FL
• Friday – hanging out with friends
• Saturday – RUNFluent Christmas (Trail) Run (7k)
• Sunday – hanging out with friends
• Monday – AM run?, fly home

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – My Race Bling of 2025
• Friday – Must-Have Accessories Under $30 

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races?  Any vacations planned?  Do you enjoy checking out holidays decorations in your city?  Have you seen Wicked Part 2? 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.