My 12 miler is to be completed today.

And in TWO weeks, I’ll be towing the line for my first half marathon of 2023…. in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

It will hopefully be fun with ocean views, sunshine and warm temps (not too warm but warmer than up North.)

this same race 2 years ago.

Last Week:

• Sunday – After a 11 mile run the previous day, I signed up for the 5.5k race with my friends. It turned out to 3.8 (not 3.4) miles but a lovely day and lots bonding time with my racing friends.

I ran 1:1 intervals with Heidi until mile 3 and then I sprinted to the finish.

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. A little beat from last week’s stress but I had some errands to do at lunch so I also squeezed in a run.

another GRAY day… ran part on the rail trail (icy in too many spots) and part on the road.

• Tuesday – I try not to run so many days in a row but when it’s dry and the next day is booked, you just “do ‘it.”

Snow flurries and temps in the teens (with the wind chill) kept me inside during lunch.

I was happy to be able to get in a few miles right after work… it’s great that now it stays light until 5 pm.

it was cold but blue skies and sun finally

• Wednesday – Finally a rest day (sunny but FREEZING) and my dinner with my tennis friends (that got cancelled last week) happened. I do miss playing tennis with these lovely ladies.

• Thursday – Finally a great sunrise.  I wish I had time to go out for a run but I did not…

Believe it not, I skipped dinner out and a play in order to run.

FOMO – I heard the play was great!

I hadn’t run at UAlbany in awhile so I met up after work with a friend for a loop around the campus.

a blurry pic of Heidi but I was trying to capture the beautiful sunset

• Friday – Rest Day, a trip to the office, and the evening with my mah jongg ladies. Soooo cold and wind gusts up to 50 mph!!!
• Saturday – Long Run Day (12 miles). With negative temps predicted, I happily agreed to postpone until Sunday.

Definitely a day to catch up with things around the house. The weather forecasters were not exaggerating.

8 am this morning

And then take in a movie with the hubby.

The book and the original movie (A Man called Ove) were better but always enjoy a Tom Hanks performance

• Sunday – Definitely a warmer day. Not warm but better.  Luckily my running friends are able to join me for a run and then brunch.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF – run (early), hike
• Tuesday – run (at lunch), b-day dinner w/stepson
• Wednesday – run (after work)
• Thursday – rest day, hair appt
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – the Taper (8-10 miles), pack
• Sunday –  early flight to Ft. Lauderdale, FL

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – NYC Marathon 2023 – Yay or Nay?
• Friday – 5 Things to Love About Running

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any winter big races?  Any snow or frigid temps where you live? Are you still getting outside for 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.

As much as I LOVE NYC, it was nice after two weeks to sleep in my own bed.

Unfortunately, the weather played havoc with my running…but that is life in Northeast during winter.

And there was some cat drama this week.

Last Week:

• Sunday – I got a lot done today… it was catch up day.

Laundry, cleaning, nails, library, bank, grocery shopping….

I did made time for a hike… although it was muddy, it hadn’t started snowing or sleeting yet.

so peaceful walking along the Normanskill Creek

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. and the 1/2 DAY OFF!

My new work schedule has been working some Monday mornings… this was one of them. I had planned to drive to the office and then run at lunch at UAlbany.

But I woke up to this:

So I decided to work from home and then run at lunch in my neighborhood.

At lunchtime, it was still snowing hard but at least my driveway was cleared.

Finally I got run done in late afternoon. I drove into town thinking the roads would be clearer.  They were but so many puddles that I had to run through the slush on the sidewalks…  Wet wet feet!!

• Tuesday – Still working from home in the morning hopeful of getting in a dry run at lunch.

warmer and drier than the day before in my neighborhood

I went to the office in the afternoon and then after work, I met my BFF for a long walk around the mall.

• Wednesday – More snow predicted and a dinner was scheduled with my tennis friends.

The dinner was postponed until next week (even though we didn’t get much snow and it was mostly rain.).

• Thursday – Still no sun but dry so I hoped to get my run done at lunch.

Work got in the way but after work, I drove into town and finished my run before dark.

it was actually very pleasant… with some light snow falling.

However the day took a turn for the worse…

My hubby accidentally let my kitten outside…

Macch’s latest pic… he is still very skittish but is gradually warming up to both of us...

I hence spent ALL night outside (in the cold) looking for him.

• Friday – Of course after a sleepless night, I woke up to sunshine for the first time this week. (However, it did cloud up by lunchtime.)

It was a rest day but not very restful.  Though I was working ALL day, at least it was from home so I could continue to search for my kitty at breaks and lunch..

The evening was spent with my mah jongg ladies (after 2 Fridays away.)  Boy was it needed.

• Saturday – Guess who made an appearance at 4am this morning. What a relief!!

Even though I was exhausted after sleepless night #2, it was Long Run Day (11 miles).

How I hate winter running… not the cold temps but the icy snowy paths.

As always, we planned our brunch time and location and did own own thing.

I ran 3 miles on my own and then met Stan and Sherry for 8 more miles followed by brunch with the others.

the sun finally came out at the end of the run…

In the afternoon I met my mah jongg friends for a movie date:

It was very entertaining. I did skip dinner out for a trip to Trader Joes and evening at home.

• Sunday – Winter Series #3 – 5.5k, 15k or 30k.

Obviously after the long run on the previous day, I plan to run/walk with my friend Heidi for the shortest distance.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday – rest day
• Wednesday – run, dinner out with friends
• Thursday – run
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (12 miles)
• Sunday –  rest day

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – What I am Looking Forward to in 2023
• Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any winter big races?  Any snow where you live? 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.

My co-worker was still out sick so that meant that I had to go to NYC and work in Queens all week!!

Last Week:

• Sunday – Winter Series #3. Though there were 3 options:  5.5k, 10k or 25k, I choose the shortest one (since I had run 9 miles the day before).

It was windy with feels like 10 temps but still fun.  I ran/walked with my running friend (until the last 1/2 mile or so) and we finished with a 2 minute PR over Winter Series #1 (same distance.)

After the race, I went to my office to get things ready for my week in NYC, then went grocery shopping, cooked and finally the hubby and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary (which was the next day.)

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. and the DAY OFF!

Although it was my 3rd day running in a row, I never know what the week will bring. So I decided to drive to the other end of the rail trail and go for a short run.

the sunshine and flowing water made up for the vey chilly temps.

Then I had to pack before heading to Manhattan by train

sunset on the Hudson R.

I checked into my hotel and relaxed.

• Tuesday – First I had to check out of my hotel and then head by subway to Jamaica, Queens to work.

I was staying in a different hotel for the next three nights so after I returned to Manhattan, I had to retrieve my luggage and then check into my new hotel (The one I usually stay in).

By this point, I decided to call it a “rest day.”  That makes me laugh since the day was anything but restful.

Coincidentally, my friend Cari also decided not to run so we met for dinner instead.

• Wednesday – Up at 6am and on the 7am subway to Jamaica.

sunrise was more impressive in person

Another long work day but as soon as I returned to Manhattan, I changed into running clothes and headed out for a “needed” run in Central Park.

I thought I might have to run solo but I was so lucky that Cari had postponed her run until after work. She ran from home and I ran to Cat Hill and then we completed the rest of our run together (which included a visit with Fred and the Onassis Reservoir.)

We both indulged in a cookie for dinner (bought in different Chip City locations. lol)

Talk about a small world… walking down the streets of Manhattan (sweaty from my run), I bumped into the President/Dean of the law school where I used to work.

• Thursday – Working all day and if it was not raining, I was planning another run in the evening.

Nope, it was POURING so Plan B was cheap tix to a Broadway show.

It had a good mixture of serious issues and comedy.

• Friday – Rest Day since I was working in Queens all day and then had to take an evening train back home
• Saturday – Long Run Day (10 miles).

It’s always a challenge in the winter to figure out where to run that is not icy. So I planned on 2 miles with Barbara on the Nisky bike path and then the rest of the miles with Sherry and Stan.

Icy in too many spots but Sherry & I added on some road detours and got it done. Then we joined the others for brunch.

yes, that’s an eagle!

• Sunday – TBD – laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning…. short hike?

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – 1/2 DAY OFF, run
• Tuesday – rest day
• Wednesday – run, dinner out with tennis gals
• Thursday – run
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (11 miles)
• Sunday –  rest day

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Winter Racing
• Friday – Runfessions

Happy Running! How is your year of running beginning? Do you have to travel for work?  If so, how do you fit in your running? Ever run in NYC? 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 still working remotely except when I’m not…

This past week, I was supposed to teach live Wed, Thurs & Fri with set-up on Tues. Then it was changed to only Wed and remote on Fri.  THEN a maybe of going to NYC (to substitute for an ill co-worker) Wed-Fri was added…

How’s a girl supposed to schedule her runs!?

Last Week:

• Sunday – It’s been a while since I hit the trails… I had a lot to do and almost didn’t think I’d have time… but late afternoon, I did get out for a short one…

a little muddy but worth it for the waterfall views

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday…. and the DAY OFF!

I got up early and went for a run in the neighborhood.

not a great sunrise but the lack of wind made the 20 degree temps feel not so bad

I rushed home so my running friend and I could take off to go hiking in MA.  But at the last minute, her son was sick so I was left solo.

I procrastinated and wound up choosing shorter and closer hikes

This was a surprise seeing how I love waterfalls.

On my way home, I stopped off a few places to hike some more… nothing picture worthy

• Tuesday – Rest Day due to a dentist appt, possibly going to set up my computer lab or possibly pack for a trip to NYC.

At 4pm after setting my lab, I was informed that I would indeed be going to NYC…

Hotel and train reservations scramble and then pack….

• Wednesday – Off on a early morning train..

view of the Hudson R.

After checking into my hotel, and going to Queens and back, I was able to take a run around Central Park and then back to my hotel.

always enjoyable to run here even if I had to climb “cat’ hill

• Thursday – Working all day and if it was not raining, I was planning a short run along the Hudson…and then meet a friend for a drink.

rainy am

Unfortunately lot’s of work drama (I’ll spare you the details) and rain so no run and no meet-up.  Just a late dinner in the hotel.

• Friday – Rest Day since I was working in Queens all day (for a millisecond I thought of running on the hotel treadmill) and then had to take an evening train back home
• Saturday – Long Run Day (9 miles)

So rain and snow the evening before kind a derailed (literally) our plans to run on the rail trail.

Sherry joined me in the nearby neighborhoods (love that tree) and the rest of my friends ran on treadmills but everyone showed up for brunch

• Sunday – Winter Series #3 race – 5.5k, 10k or 25k. Again I plan on choosing the shortest distance and run it for fun.

pic from Winters Series #2

After I need to go to the office, do some grocery shopping and pack for my week in NYC.

My 24th wedding anniversary is tomorrow so we may go out to dinner tonight to celebrate…

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – HOLIDAY – DAY OFF – run – train to NYC
• Tuesday – run (in NYC)
• Wednesday – run (in NYC)
• Thursday – run (in NYC)
• Friday –  rest day, train home
• Saturday – Long Run (10 miles)
• Sunday –  rest day

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – My Word for 2023
• Friday – 5 Struggles to Meet Your Fitness Goals

Happy Running! How is your year of running beginning? Any races planned? 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.

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.

So today is my last race for 2022!!!

My 34th of the year.

I must say it’s been a fairly good racing year.

No PRs but many age group awards, some new races, a few out of town races and zero injuries!!!

Last Week:

• Sunday – A little tired from my NYC adventures but still needed to get moving…

Just a short local hike (sorry no pics)

Unpacking, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, etc.

• Monday – #Nevermissamonday….

With a busy week ahead, I squeezed in a lunch run on the rail trail.

a little breezy but surprisingly my legs felt great

And I bumped into my running friend Barbara… we walked and chatted for a bit. Unfortunately I had to get back home to work.

• Tuesday –  Busy work day but again, I ran at lunch. I had less time so I stayed in the ‘hood…

lots of decorations and drizzle but warmer than the day before

and after work, I attended a book talk with a friend

I got his previous book (Chasing Manhattan) as a birthday gift last year

with my running friend Linda

• Wednesday – Too busy at work to run and the weather was less than ideal so I took a rest day.

And got my nails done…

• Thursday – Back to teaching in person so I could only drive to UAlbany after work to get my run done. I was lucky that my running friend from Fla was in town and we ran together with another friend (and then had dinner together.)

full moon!!.

• Friday – Another rest day due to in person teaching, and other stuff…

But I did get together with the mah jongg ladies that evening.

• Saturday – I had decided to only walk with my running friends this morning (becuse I had a race the next day) but they thought it was too cold.

Plan B: a long run with Stan and Sherry followed by brunch.

a little windy in one direction but the sun helped and the weather felt perfect for running

Then in the evening, we had our annual potluck dinner.

great food and lots of laughs

• Sunday – Doug Bowden Winter Series #1

A local running club sponsors five free races during the winter.  Each race has varying distances.  I chose the short one today..

Hope I get it done before the snow…

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –  DAY OFF – run with friends, hike
• Tuesday – Drive to LI for work, run
• Wednesday – work on LI, run?
• Thursday – drive home after work, rest day
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run, family dinner out
• Sunday –  hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Ted Corbitt 15K Race Recap
• Friday – The Benefit of Shoe Insoles 

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? 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.

Back to my favorite city to run a race and to get in the holiday spirit…

Last Week:

• Sunday – The rain held off so I could go on a hike.

First one was along a creek, a wooden walkway with lots of painted rocks.

My 2nd hike got cut short due to rain but I able to do a big loop and catch scenic views of the Hudson R.

It stopped raining so I headed to my 3rd and final destination.

It rained the rest of day so I spent it cooking up a storm (beef vegetable soup, turkey squash chili, meatloaf..)

• Monday – Day off (every other Monday and I’m loving it). Until the weather gets bad, I plan to hike with a running friend or two. Today we headed to Great Barrington, MA.  The first hike was a one mile loop

A short distance away was a park and we hiked two miles there.

The we ate a delicious lunch … and had to walk two more miles around town (to burn off some of the calories.)

#Nevermissamonday… it was so windy in the morning that I changed my mind and hoped to get in my run when I got home from hiking…. Nope, zero mojo.

• Tuesday – No excuse today… Drove into town and got my run done at lunch…

putting up the Xmas tree in town

• Wednesday –  It was forcast to be windy and start to rain at 10am and continue for the rest of the day.

So I was forced to do my run before work…

starting to see Xmas decorations but most are the blow up kind that you see only at night… cold running into the wind and warm with it at my back and it began to rain before I was done 😦

because after work, I attended a book talk with my BFF. (Any Little House on the Prairie fans?)

It was sooo good! She told a lot of funny stories from her past and talked about leaving LA and moving to a cabin in Catskill, NY. Upstate NY…

• Thursday – Last run before the big race…

I had to go to the office for a bit so I ran at UAlbany

took a different route around campus hoping to avoid the wind

And then after work, I met my former co-worker/walking buddy (whom I haven’t seen in awhile) for a walk.

• Friday – I took an early train to Manhattan, checked into my hotel, had lunch and then went to get my race packet for the race the next day.

not an exciting shirt but it is comfy

On my walk back to the hotel, I was able to see some of the amazing holiday decorations.

On my bucket list has been to see the holiday lights at Dyker Heights in Brooklyn so I had booked a walking there.

unreal is all I can say…

I hopped the subway, met the group and spent almost 2 hours viewing the lights.

I had pizza before heading back by subway to Manhattan.

Once back in Manhattan I strolled around as much as I could to see more decorations.

So much for resting the legs the day before a race. LOL (12 miles walked!!)

Back at the hotel, I tried to figure out what to wear for the race the next day.

wound up changing my mind as it was wetter and warmer than I thought

• Saturday – Ted Corbitt 15k Race.

An early morning Uber to the start, then ran 9.4 miles on the hills of Central Park in the POURING RAIN. Cari and I couldn’t connect until after the race.

Cold and wet, I walked and then hopped a subway to check out of my hotel.

I had lunch and then took an earlier train than planned.  An ugly weather day.  So glad I did so much the day before.

I also checked off all the things I wanted to eat or drink while in NYC.

chocolate egg cream, black n white cookie, latte at the Refinery, bagels & lox, Brooklyn pizza

• Sunday – A little tired from my NYC adventures but I’m sure I get out in the fresh air for a short hike.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –  run
• Tuesday – rest day, book talk (John Gray)
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – rest day, dinner with friends
• Friday –  run, mah jongg
• Saturday – walk, running group party
• Sunday –  HMRRC Winter Series #1 (3M) + more miles

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Troy Turkey Trot 10K Race Recap
• Friday – Four (or Five) Somethings for September-November 

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 run or planned? Ever been to NYC during the holidays?  Please share.