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.

Two races in One Week!

Well, not odd for me…

Last Week:

• Sunday – Upstate Classic Half Marathon. Snow.Ice.Hills.FrigidTemps.InsaneWinds.

What else can I say?

It was the first race where I really wanted to DNF…

But I propelled myself forward into the wind and crossed the finish line (and then waited for 50 minutes in the cold without a coat for my friend!!

my friend & I each won our age group (sine we were the only crazy ones to do this race)

14 years ago today, we formed a group to play mah jongg every Friday night.  We still play weekly but we’ve become more than mah jongg players but great friends. Tonight we celebrated.

• Monday – Still cold and windy but warmer (30s). I took it slow but ventured out for a short easy recovery run at lunch.

drove to the rail trail hoping that it would be less windy… nope!

Met my BFF for a walk after work (but we did it inside at the mall.)

• Tuesday – I had planned to run but work took up my whole day and I had a hair appt after work. All I could manage was another short easy run.  This time in the neighborhood/waterline.

so nice to run without wind… warmer temps too (40s)

• Wednesday –  .Another rest day only because I don’t like to run the day before a race.

#flatme

• Thursday – Troy Turkey Trot. I only ran the 10k.  

I said “only” because for many years, I ran both the 10k and 5k.  I choose the 10k because it’s earlier and much less crowded (and my friends were not running the 5k.)

It was not one of my better turkey trots but the weather was perfect and I came in 3rd in my age group.

upset stomach and tired legs probably held me back but still was glad I did it.

For Thanksgiving dinner, we went to my SIL’s and ate back all the calories (and more) that I burned during the race.

And I need to thank my fellow bloggers who inspire me everyday…

• Friday – One more rest day because I don’t run the day before a long run. No FOMO since it was a rainy/cloudy day.

But glad to get out of the house for an evening mah jongg game.

• Saturday – Long run!! I met up with my friends because I had another 15k on the schedule so I needed to run 8 miles. Again, I was lucky to have company during the run and after at brunch.

• Sunday – Weather dependent…

if it doesn’t rain, a hike and if it does some knitting and Netflix.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –  DAY OFF – run, hike
• Tuesday – rest day
• Wednesday – run, book talk (Melissa Gilbert)
• Thursday – run
• Friday – rest day, train to NYC, bib pick-up, holiday sights
• Saturday – Ted Corbitt 15K Race (in NYC)
• Sunday –  rest day, hiking?

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Upstate Classic Half Marathon Recap
• Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races run or planned? Did you turkey trot?  How was your Thanksgiving? 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.

How is it November?

Halloween has come and gone and now we’re looking forward to Thanksgiving…

or in my case, a 15k, a half marathon and then a 10k. lol

and:

I’m not good with streaks or challenges so let’s see how far I get…

Last Week:

• Sunday – This was my third time volunteering at a race this year.

This time, it was for a trail race (6m or 13.1) at Thacher State Park (with a Halloween theme.)

And I had a blast… no FOMO either.

I had to report at 7am for setup & packet pick up and then I gave out finisher medals until  12:30PM.

I got to see the sun rise and the amazing costumes (I was a witch) … not sure had people ran in them… and the weather was perfect!!

After lunch (hot dogs, hamburger and some sweets), I took advantage of the weather and did some more leaf peeping.

great views from this park

• Monday – Remember I now have every other Monday off… so I started the day with a run

dressing for the holiday…

Then I went for a drive to where I could climb a fire tower but first I found some new nearby trails.

then hiked to the fire tower

and on the way home, I stopped for a short hike to see a waterfall.

My last stop was to vote and then I spent the evening giving out candy.  All of a sudden, we have lots of little kids in a our neighborhood.

• Tuesday – I actually had to leave my house for work today… to observe an in-person class. It was rainy anyway (but I had to wear normal clothes, shoes and make-up. lol).

After I dropped my car off (for repair?), I borrowed my hubby’s car and met friends for a walk on the rail trail.

we actually veered off the trail to walk on the water line admiring all the remaining colorful leaves

• Wednesday –  Back working from home. With the temps warming up, I went for a run on the rail trail at lunch.

looked like fall but felt like summer

When my after work walking partner cancelled, I drove to Hollyhock Nature Sanctuary for a short walk on a pretty creek trail.

the trees were mostly bare and the creek shallow but I beat sunset so all was good

• Thursday – Another Indian Summer day… I was thinking of a run at lunch but FB alerted me that the Cookie Truck was in town tonight (they park within walking distance of the end of the rail trail):

So of course, I had to run there after work and then bought a few ice cream sandwiches. (I only ate half of one and froze the rest.)

skirt weather in November!! Woo Hoo!

• Friday – Rest Day!! I stopped by my office and so I caved and got my first Holiday cup!!

After work, I headed out for my last after work walk in daylight (at Normanskill Farms).

The alpacas were so cool!

• Saturday – Long Run.  12 miles on my training plan so I was grateful to have some company.

This week, we headed to Zim Smith bike path. I got there early to run a few miles solo and then ran the rest with Deb and Sherry. Everyone else had walking on their minds. But we all gathered after for brunch.

NYC on my mind with the shirt and compression sleeves

It was so nice to able eat outdoors… in November!!

• Sunday – Big Boo on turning the clocks back!! Not looking forward to my after work runs from now until March…

Giving everyone who’s running the NYC Marathon a virtual High Five!!

Most likely, I’ll be hitting the trails today.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –  run
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday – rest day, tennis dinner out
• Thursday – run
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – rest day, walk
• Sunday –  Stockade-athon 15k

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Using Virgin Pulse
• Friday – Dealing with the Aging Slow Down

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? Has the weather been summer-like where you live?  Are you following the NYCM today?  Please share.

No travel.  No work trips. No races.

Sound boring?

Last Week:

• Sunday – The leaves are falling quickly so I decided to do some leave peeping before they were all gone.

I also decided to stay local.  But there was a brand new trail nearby so off I drove.

it was very pretty and it connects to another bunch of trails.

I could have continued from there to additional trails but I decided to drive to the main parking lot.

no beaver sighting but it’s one of my favorite short trails there.

I moved my car to one more parking lot and had time for one more short trail

the Vlomankill was pretty shallow but I still got to enjoy the sound of running water

• Monday – #nevermissamonday but I had to figure out when the weather would be better to run. It was raining in the morning but I had hoped it would either be dry during lunch or after work.

I got dressed to run at lunch and as soon as I got out there, it started to pour. Being mostly a fair weather runner, I decided to wait until after work.

So I drove to run at UAlbany since I was meeting my BFF for a long walk near there after.

the rain had mostly stopped… just a drizzle and still some pretty foliage to admire

• Tuesday – Always checking the weather. I had thought of having a rest day but it looked like rain was predicted for Wednesday so I decided to run after work today.

I didn’t realize until I got to the rail trail that it must have rained recently…

70 degrees, 90% humidity and lots of wet leaves

• Wednesday –  Finally taking a rest day. It was tempting to participate in a SOAR group run but I went for a walk (at Pine Hollow Arboretum) and did some errands instead.

75 degrees in October? I bet these leaves were confused (but beautiful even at dusk)

• Thursday – Back out for a run today. Not as warm as the day before but sunny. I waited until after work and drove to the Albany end of the rail trail.

What a difference a day made… I was actually chilly!!

• Friday – Rest Day!!

Not so restful as I had to work and clean the house so I could host mah jongg.

• Saturday – Long Run!! Finally able to meet my running friends.  No race today!!

I got there early and ran 2 miles with Barbara and then met Sherry & Stan for 9 more.  Afterward, we went out to brunch with the others who were either walking or running fewer miles. (<3 my group!)

It was chilly and foggy when we started but it warmed up nicely

• Sunday – Volunteering at a local trail race. Costumes, food, colorful foliage and lots of familiar faces… Should be loads of fun.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –  DAY OFF – run, hike?
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday – rest day
• Thursday – run
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (12 miles)
• Sunday –   Hiking?

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Running with a Group
• Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

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? Have the fall foliage colors peaked where you live?  Please share.