Recovering from my recent HILLY half marathon.

But not too much recovery since I have another one in two weeks.

Last Week:

• Sunday – An exhausting but fun day in NYC.  I ran the Fred Lebow Half Marathon In Central Park.

It was harder than expected so didn’t do as well as hoped. Still I met my goal.

After the race, I walked with my friends (who came to the race) through the park and to brunch.

Then I walked back to my hotel. (The race ended on E102nd… my hotel was on W 39th.)  40,000 steps for the day.

• Monday – Though I was quite stiff the night before, I felt good today. I was even tempted to do a recovery run but decided that I should just go for a walk.
• Tuesday  – Anxious to get back out running especially before the temps dropped. I had to go to the office for a little while so I decided to run at nearby UAlbany.

I usually run here at night so I varied my route since it was daylight… took it slow but the legs felt great.

After work, it was warm enough for an outdoor walk with friends.

• Wednesday – Frigid but at least sunny. So I snuck out before work and as usual, it was such a nice way to start the day.

10 degrees, feels like 0 didn’t even feel bad since it hadn’t started to get windy yet.

• Thursday – Another cold day. Even colder in the morning than the day before (-6). I decided to wait until after work to run. I dropped off a book at the library and ran in those neighborhoods for a change.

the wind made this one feel colder than I’d hoped but it was nice to have daylight until 5 pm.

Then I met my BFF to walk around the mall.

• Friday – After running three days in a row, I decided that I should take a rest day. Just didn’t feel like layering up after work.  So off to mah jongg I went. (Brain workout).

• Saturday – Today was my normal LONG RUN day but due to possible snow, low temps and the wind gusts, we decided to wait until Sunday. Another rest day instead.  

We made the right decision… woke up to -11 wind chill and snow falling and blowing!!

And when you work all week, there’s lots of chores to do around the house anyway. Sigh.

I did get out later in the afternoon for a walk. Brr.

• Sunday –  One of our running friends was running a half marathon in Fla so we planned to run with her virtually. Our routes for long runs are limited due to snow/ice so it would be the neighborhoods around The Crossings (again). I woke up to -7 wind chill so we’re waiting before we head out.  My plan is 12 miles but I’ll see how many I get in (before hypothermia sets it lol).

Update, I waited awhile and the sun helped get me through the miles.  But without any company other than my podcasts (due cold temps & injuries), I only ran 10 miles.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run after work
• Tuesday – run at lunch. walk after work with friends
• Wednesday – rest day, walk, dinner w/tennis friends
• Thursday – run after work
• Friday -rest day, walk, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (taper)
• Sunday – rest day, visit the Ice Castles in Lake George, dinner out

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Fred LeBow Half Marathon Race Recap
• 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 in-person races planned?  How are you dealing with winter running so far? Please share.

With my first half marathon in one week, I needed to get out there and run… no matter what.

And there were several very cold days and the bike paths were still covered with ice/snow.

I sometimes wonder WHY I signed up for so many half marathons that require me to train during the winters of upstate NY?

Last Week:

• Sunday – After a successful frigid 12 miler the day before, I was hoping to continue to get some fresh air on the trails.

Nope, freezing rain and sleet… I did some stuff around the house (including laundry and repotting my plants) and then hit the mall for some exercise.

a work in progress…they grow so fast, I can’t keep up

• Monday – #nevermissamonday. Of course, I had to run.  Another chilly day but after last Saturday, it seemed balmy lol.

although it was only in the 20s, it felt warm.. unfortunately I’m stuck in my neighborhood since the rail trail and bike paths are still icy

• Tuesday  – Normally I would have run today but it was supposed to be warmer on Wednesday so I just switched today to a rest day.

even too cold for me!!

I did venture out after work since we now have some extra hours of daylight..

ok I admit it… I FROZE at Holly Hock Preserve!!!

So back to the mall for a walk. Ours still close early (7 pm) so if you go after dinner, it’s pretty empty.

• Wednesday – Still cold but what can you do?  Winter in the NE!! (and you know how I feel about treadmills.) So I scheduled a late lunch and took to roads hoping that the wind had died down.

not bad at all.. glad I waited until today

• Thursday – Temps were gradually getting higher but again not what you would call “unseasonably warm.”  I keep trying to vary my running routes (which is not easy when the normal paths are still dicey).

the sun didn’t come out until I was done so it felt colder than the 30 degree temps

Oops. I double-booked myself so I walked at 5 pm with a friend at the outside mall and then at 6:45 back to the indoor mall for a walk (a different mall than Tues) with my BFF.

• Friday – Rest Day Friday due to possible long run Saturday and freezing temps.

Mah jongg night to exercise the brain (instead of the legs).

• Saturday – Sub zero wind chill temps forced us to postpone the run until Sunday (when it would be a little warmer and sunnier.)

nope, not happening!!

But my running friend, who was recovering from an injury, asked me to do a slow 3 mile loop at UAlbany in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, she chickened out and crazy me decided to instead bundle up and take to the trails. First I headed to one with an amazing waterfall but the trail was way too icy (even with nano spikes & poles).

walked on the ridge trail instead (@Barbersville Falls)

Then I drove to one closer to my house.

Five Rivers on a sunny but cold winter day

It was great to get some fresh air after being cooped up on Friday.

And in the evening the hubby & I went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary (which was the next day.)

• Sunday –  Last long run before the big day.  Only 8 miles on my “plan.” Plan in parentheses because after 53 half marathons, I don’t have a plan lol. My running group has shrunk for various reasons (snowbirds, illness, injury) but Karen and Stan agreed to tackle the freezing temps with me.

the thermometer read -3 but no wind and sunshine made all the difference… nice run!!

Today (January 16th) was also an important day in my life:

and in my running life:

2011 vs 2021

I also celebrated the calm before the storm with a hike:

a different trail at Five Rivers… the frozen creek was so fascinating (more pix on IG)

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF – rest day – rain/snow? – hike?
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run
• Friday -rest day, walk, mah jongg
• Saturday – rest day, NYC bound (Train, Broadway show…)
• Sunday – Fred LeBow Half Marathon

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – 2021 Goals Update and 2022 Goals
• Friday –  Super Hero Muffins

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 in-person races planned?  Have the cold temps forced you indoors or do you run outside anyway? Please share.

Did you have fun ringing in the new year? I did and even stayed up until midnight!!!!

I’m re-posting Kim G‘s meme:

unfortunately, this is so true

Thanks to Jenn, I’ll be moving everyday in January:

Last Week:

• Sunday – Icy but sunny and I was fortunate to have company on most of the miles and for brunch after.

I skipped my planned Sunday hike in favor of a nail appt and errands.

In the evening, I had the last of my holiday dinners out at a new Japanese restaurant with a friend.  Very yummy!

• Monday – #nevermissamonday so I had to do a short one at lunch

a little chilly at first but no wind helped… so far I have not had to wear a jacket this winter (2 shirts, vest, arm sleeves = perfect running attire)

and then a walk after work.

• Tuesday  – A slow week at work so I was able to run at lunch again

thumbs up for warmer temps and sunshine… and a couple of spins around the track

followed by a walk with my BFF after work.

• Wednesday – A rest day from running cause I know I should. And a snowy one.  Love looking at the snow and walking  in it so that’s all I did at lunch:

unfortunately, the snow had turned to freezing rain and the trail was mostly mud…

The good and sometimes bad thing about FB are the memories. Today FB reminded that it was the TEN year anniversary of breaking my ankle in 2 places and having surgery.

Grateful to my surgeon, my PT and that they were wrong when they said “I may not be able to run again and definitely not long races.”

• Thursday – I decided to end the year on a high note. A sunrise run… without the sunrise

cloudy, foggy but holiday lights were still glowing and it felt GREAT to start the day this way.

and a late lunch run.

I drove to the rail trail for this one

There was a method to my madness: rain was predicted for both Saturday and Sunday (who knows when and if I will run) and I wanted to finish the year with 1,018 miles (because in 2020, I ran 1,017 miles.)

There was also Mah jongg on Thursday night so everyone could celebrate on Friday night.

• Friday – Another rest day and a work day. Besides it rained on and off.

I was very excited to go hear the comedian Sebastian Maniscalco with some friends.  Due to COVID, the show got canceled. Plan B was a small dinner party with some (vaccinated, boosted) friends.

so nice not to be stuck at home and be able to be with some friends (that I used to work with)

• Saturday – Race Day- first race of 2022. Luckily it did not start until  noon. Cloudy but 50 degrees on Jan 1! I’ll take it.

free+ food + friends = fun race!

Since I needed a long run of 11 miles, I planned to run around campus for more painful boring miles.

to be honest… this run was HARD!! what slogfest…

• Sunday –  Today’s activity is weather dependent.  Hope to get out and explore some trails (I may have to get out those micro spikes). If it rains, I got plenty to do around the house.

Update: Too rainy.  Cleaned, took down ALL the holiday decorations, did some errands and

I hold off on a review until I taste one. I got the recipe off Shalane’s blog (I don’t have the book)

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday – run, walk with friends
• Wednesday – rest day, walk. hair appt.
• Thursday – run
• Friday -rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (12m)
• Sunday – WS Series #3 (3m)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – My Word
• 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 in-person races planned?  How did you celebrate New Year’ Eve? Did you run or race on New Year’s Day? Please share.

If you celebrate, hope you had a nice holiday.

I did a lot of celebrating the previous week so Christmas for us was sorta lowkey. No gift exchange just time with the family.

Did you enjoy this fitness challenge? I admit I had to google most of them and then adapt them for me.

And lastly, I am blessed to have support and inspiration from my blogging friends:

Last Week:

• Sunday – A early impromptu afternoon hike with a friend to work off some calories.

muddy in spots but we stayed upright – 3.5 miles in the books

because in the evening I attended my mah jongg book club followed by our re-scheduled anniversary dinner – 13 years and counting!!

ate all those calories back and then some but a fun evening nevertheless

• Monday – #nevermissamonday so I had to squeeze my run in during lunch since I volunteer after work. I loved my before work run last week but it was 15 degrees!! Nope not today.

feels like 23 but at least it was sunny…lots of decorations with a menorah in the window & a Hanukkah flag?

• Tuesday  – I was going to squeeze in another lunch run but a friend agreed to run with me after work.  Our last run through the lights in the park… so much fun!

A nice surprise came in the mail – my age group award from the Troy Turkey Trot

portable charger

• Wednesday – Today was a rest day. But I did meet friends after work for a walk.

• Thursday – I got up early and planned my sunrise run but feels like 10 degrees sent me back indoors for a cup of coffee.

I did get it done at lunch when it was a little warmer.

brrr!! froze my face off with that cold wind!

After work, we met to play mah jongg since Christmas Eve was on Friday night.

• Friday -Iffy weekend weather prompted me to get out there for at least a short run. Not in the morning…surprise snowfall!!

Eventually it did stop snowing and I ran on the roads in town during lunch.

It was the same temps as the day before but without the wind, it almost felt balmy lol

• Saturday – Christmas Day!! And a rainy one!! Long run postponed until Sunday!

My hubby and I agreed not to get each other gifts.

My hubby did not keep his end of the bargain… I have wanted one for years!!!!!

• Sunday – Re-scheduled Long Run. Location TBA depending the state of the bike paths.  I also begged for company. I HATE to run alone for 11 miles. And my friend Sherry accepted to share 8 of them.

slow going as first due to the icy roads but the sun came out and things improved

4 MILES to go to meet my 1000 MILE goal for the year.  And so I did it!!!!!!!!!!!

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run, walk with BFF
• Tuesday – run
• Wednesday – rest day
• Thursday – run
• Friday -rest day, New Year’s Eve out with friends (but Sebastian Maniscalco show cancelled 😦 )
• Saturday – Winter Series #2 race (+more miles)
• Sunday – rest day, hiking

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Albany Last Run Race Recap
• Friday – Runfessions

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 in-person races planned?  How did you celebrate on Christmas Eve and Day? What are your plans for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? Please share.

Countdown to 2022.

Countdown to meeting my 1000 mile goal for the year.

Countdown to the holidays and those holiday parties.

Last Week:

• Sunday – Still unseasonably cold but not as windy as the previous day.  Glad to have been able to get a Sunday hike done.

I got a late start as it was snowing and I was tracking my friend who was running her first marathon (in Florida.)

I had been here before but not in a while… a little muddy and the leaves were slippery but still happy to be out in nature.

• Monday – #nevermissamonday Squeezed in a lunchtime run on the rail trail.

channeling my inner NYC…still not acclimated to this cold weather… cold hands, cold feet, cold face. but found a cute rock

Then I volunteered after work followed by a walk with my BFF.

• Tuesday  – After work, I went for a run through the holiday lights in the park (a prelude to our upcoming 5k).

was supposed to do this with a friend but she had to work so I ran first before the lights went on and then did a second picture loop

• Wednesday – I had a hair appt after work so used today as a rest day. (I wished that I had checked the weather for Thursday because today was a nice day to run.)

• Thursday – I had planned to run during the lunch. But just about the time I was to leave the house, it started to rain.   Many of you would have just run in the rain. Not this fair weather runner.  That meant I had to hope there’d be a break in the rain after 4 pm.

And the rain did stop for awhile. Rather than running at UAlbany, I decided to run in town (on streets that were lit.)

Believe it not, we had a thunderstorm that evening. Crazy weather!

• Friday -Rest Day.  Not much activity. However, this week instead of playing mah jongg, I went out to dinner out with a old friend.

• Saturday – Long Run Saturday. This was re-scheduled from last weekend. Some met to run on the Nisky bike path (others walked) and then we all went to a new place for brunch.

not a bad day for a run – no wind, no ice and brunch was great!!

Time to start decorating for the holidays. (Yes I celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas!!) Twice as much work fun.

my little “real” tree

• Sunday – Sunday continues to be a hiking day, I went for a longish drive to a new place.  Unfortunately I left late and was not able to do both trails. That just means a return trip.

Thunder Mountain

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –   run at lunch, volunteering after work
• Tuesday – run after work with a friend
• Wednesday – rest day, walk with friends
• Thursday – run at lunch, walk after work with friends
• Friday -rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Albany Last Run 5k and pot luck dinner dinner
• Sunday – rest day, hiking or Winter Series #1 (3 miler)

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Holiday Gift Guide for Runners
• Friday – What I cannot race without

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 in-person races planned?  Have you decorated for the holidays yet?  Any goals to meet by the end of the year? Please share.

Race Week!  Half Marathon #53 and my last one (and 5th) for 2021.

It was local and one of the few half marathons that was a repeat performance. At least this time, the hills were no surprise.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

my Christmas Cacti have bloomed and I had my first red cup.

Last Week:

• Sunday – Today I ran the Stockade-athon 15k for the 8th time. Who doesn’t love a challenging race?

• Monday – A rest day to recover from the previous day’s hills. A chilly cloudy one (with periods of rain) but I did have to go to the office so I got in a rainy lunch/Starbucks walk there.

After work, I did my first volunteer assignment with a 12 yr old girl from the Congo who only speaks French.

the classrooms are behind this building in an old church

• Tuesday  – I was able to squeeze in a lunch run and the legs felt fine.

pretty in pink? chose to run on the water line trail for a change of pace…

After work, I met my friends for a walk and then met my BFF for another walk.

• Wednesday – Too busy to run at lunch so I drove to UAlbany to run there after work. I was hoping to have Heidi as company.

dark, chilly, windy…glad to have company

• Thursday – I had planned to squeeze in a run during lunchtime since I was busy after work.

Then at the last minute, I decided against running three days in a row and skipped it.

I did not qualify so I have to wait until Dec 8 to see if I got in. I had to work so didn’t get to apply until 3:30 pm (and it’s first come first serve)

My monthly tennis gathering tonight was a visit to a museum exhibit and then dinner after.

the exhibit was on women’s clothes from the 1920’s (Downton Abbey style)

Friday – Resting up for the big race. But I decided to take a quick run at lunch. It was windy, chilly and I even got rained on.  It was a profitable run. lol

After work, I picked up my bib for Sunday’s race and then played mah jongg in the evening,

• Saturday – Long Run Day again this week was a walk in preparation for the next day’s race. We chose the Corning bike path followed by brunch, of course.

beautiful morning…hoping more of the same for the next day.

Afterward, I picked up my bib for Thursday’s Turkey Trot.

I spent the evening organizing my #flatme and carb loading on pizza.

• Sunday – Race Day! Upstate Classic Half Marathon. The 2nd time for this race and the 3rd time running this hilly course in Altamont, NY.

boy, this was HARD!!!!

No rest for the weary. I plan to go out to dinner with a bunch of wonderful ladies to celebrate 13 years of playing mah jongg together.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – rest day, volunteering
• Tuesday –  run, walk with friends
• Wednesday – rest day, walk with friends
• Thursday – Troy Turkey Trot 10K Race, dinner with the fam
• Friday -rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (8 miles)
• Sunday – rest day, hiking

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Upstate Classic Half Marathon Race Recap
• Friday – Runfessions

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 in-person races planned? Please share.