As I mentioned last week, we are now expected to work in the office at least three days a week.   I am not a happy camper….

But due to a day off, I only worked in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday.

It was very strange and really impacted my running and other stuff but it is what is is.

Last Week:

• Monday – I had taken the day off so I could participate in the Lake George Hike-a-thon. Since my hubby does not enjoy hiking and had to work, my friend subbed in.

I registered early and chose one of my favorite trails – The Pinnacle.

There were 22 sites and over 700 participants. Our hike started at 10 am and it was just a mile to the top. Then we had to wait until 11:19 for a helicopter to fly over and take our photo.

photo: Carl Heilman

There was a reception afterward and then we into town, got lunch and my hubby took us out on the boat.

we hung around in Log Bay (top) and Red Rock Bay (bottom) and also rode around the lake

We got so lucky – it was the most perfect weather of the summer.

• Tuesday – My first day back at the office.  It was hard to remember how to dress and what to do in the morning to get ready.

Again this week, weather was an issue. With the threat of rain/thunderstorms, I was hoping that I could motivate myself to get up very early and run…NOPE!!

I did go for a HOT HUMID BUGGY walk at lunch (since my mid-day runs could no longer occur) and then it rained most of the afternoon.

I planned to meet my friends for our usual Tuesday after work walk on the rail trail but they decided to bail due to the threat of thunderstorms.

I decided to risk it and go on my own.  It never rained and the sun even came out. Unfortunately, the earlier rain did nothing to lower the humidity. But I actually felt too energetic to walk and so I ran.

I was overdressed for running since I planned to walk… and that cat followed me for about 1/4 mile. If a black cat brings bad luck, des a white one bring good luck?

Today’s Nugget (from Ali on the Run podcast interview with Sarah Lesko from Oiselle): “I have my own running goals but the most important goal is to support other people.”  Some days I have felt that way with my friends.

Wednesday – SOAR run or Ice Cream run??? Tough decision. With thunderstorms in the forecast, I DID get up for a short run.

Yesterday I felt so lethargic at work and after I went for a run in the evening, I felt so much better. So I decided to run before work to see if it gave me more energy at work.

I didn’t getup as early as I should have and it was already warm and humid but I realized that I need to do this more often.

Today’s Nugget (from Ali on the Run podcast interview with Sarah Lesko from Oiselle cont.): “The moment the negative stuff is taking up too much head space, it’s time to make a change.”  Yup with running and life.

Again I walked at lunch. I avoided the buggy nature path and just walked around the outdoor mall.

these lunch walks are getting expensive. but don’t you love when the flowers match your drink

And after work, I decided on the Ice Cream run.  Not for the ice cream but for the location. The SOAR run was going to be at the Crossings where I will be running on Mondays so I’d rather go someplace different. In this case – Five Rivers Environmental Center.

As happened on Tuesday, there were afternoon rain/thunderstorms. They stopped but there still was a threat of rain. As a result, only 4 of us braved the weather for this run…actually a trail run. Although the skies were dark and there was thunder in the distance, we managed to stay dry.  The downside was that the other runners run trails fast. As I attempted to keep up, I wound up falling. Nothing serious other than some bruises, a cut on the ankle and mud on me everywhere.  The scariest part was that when I fell, my phone fell out of my pocket. I had to go back and I did find it!!! Phew.  Remind me never to enter a trail race…

this is what the park looks like a sunny day

We did get ice cream after and the skies opened up as we were eating it. Perfect timing!!

• Thursday – Back working from home today …so happy.  Unfortunately the weather Gods were mad at me. It rained all morning on and off. I wanted to run during an early lunch….if it weren’t for the RAIN.

Finally I decided to get in my car and go for it (since there was a possibility that the evening run would be canceled.)  It was only drizzling when I started but then it started to pour.

Yes, I got wet but I didn’t melt.

Today’s Nugget (from Ali on the Run podcast interview with Sarah Lesko from Oiselle cont.): “A third of my weekly running miles are walking. And my running is getting better and faster.  I count them both the same. The only downside is that walking takes longer.”  Hmmm. I do not count my walking miles.  Maybe I should?

And my favorite run of the week was tonight’s evening group trail run. The location was Peebles Island.

I went last week and got rained on.  So I had no excuse not to go tonight. So off I went hoping that some of my friends would be there to share the misery fun. Well, it rained before and after but not a drop during. Got lucky again!

Another fun evening with new and old friends – some running but mostly walking so I didn’t fall

• Friday – Finally scheduled rest day. The forecast AGAIN was for rain. Still at lunchtime, it hadn’t started yet. So I headed to a nearby trail for a walk.

sooo muddy. the top left is not the creek but the path!

• Saturday – Back to a long run with my peeps.  It was great to have company for part of my 8 miles on the Nisky Bike Path. The temps were not really warm but boy was it humid.

Afterward we all gathered for brunch. I am so lucky to be part of this group.

Recovery was getting my nails done, doing grocery shopping, laundry and weeding. I think my recovery activities were more tiring than the run lol

• Sunday – Boating or hiking or both or neither? All weather dependent but most likely since my hubby has an AM tennis match, I will go hiking early and see if the rain stays away for the afternoon.

And I was correct, I did decide on hiking and spent a lovely day on the trails and beyond before the rain came.

First I hiked to the gazebo at Pilot Knob (on the opposite side of Lake George from Mondays hike).  Then I continued to the waterfall (which I had visited last fall but at that time, there was no water.)  I was glad to have gone early because it was very crowded when I was done.

Since I had driven over an hour, I decided to stay for awhile. I did a short walk around Edgecomb Pond and then headed to Bolton Landing (where we keep our boat.) No boating today but I walked around town admiring all the flowers

especially the waterlilies at the Sagamore Hotel.

Eventually  it did rain but not until I was almost home.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday –  DAY OFF – hiking, FTC run
• Tuesday – rest day, walk with friends
• Wednesday – Ice Cream run
• Thursday – ARE Trail Run 
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – LONG Run
• Sunday – rest day, boating/hiking

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Firecracker 4 Race Recap
• Friday – Why Watch the Olympic Trials

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 been experiencing summer temps where you live? Any vacations planned? Please share.

Sounds like The Last Supper.

But starting next week, I will have to go back to the office at least three days a week until September when I will in the office everyday!!

So I needed to enjoy every moment at home this past week. Runs, Hikes, Bikes, Walks….

Last Week:

• Monday – Since I knew I could not walk with my friends after work tomorrow, I wanted to today (maintaining weekly contact with my friends is one of my priorities.) So I decided to run before work. And since the heat wave continued, it was a great idea.

I do not enjoy running in my neighborhood but I got it done. It was a sweatfest and I should have gone out even earlier.

Today’s Nugget (from an AMR podcast):  If you are using a training plan that schedules your runs by time (rather than distance), on the weekend, do your runs by distance so that if you are a slower runner, you will feel better prepared for the race.

I did meet my friends after work but boy was it hot and humid!!! (I shouldn’t complain because it is even worse out West.) So happy to have done my run in the morning.

• Tuesday – A scheduled rest day.  As I said last week, I am trying (while I’m at home) to make my rest days more active. Another HOT one. So I rode my bike at lunch since it was a little cooler than walking.

a short ride because it was hot hot hot

Then I went for a walk after my hair appt (between thunderstorms) and before grocery shopping (Yup, a LONG day!)

This park has quite a few nice paths and I would have stayed longer if I weren’t getting attacked by bugs and the sun was not going down.

• Wednesday – I decided to get up early and run before the heat and storms arrived. It was still brutal outside and I forgot my hat!! Due to time restraints, I had to run in my neighborhood again but took a different route.

thumbs up for the flowers but thumbs down to the humidity

Today’s Nugget (from an AMR podcast):  Nada. The topic was Summer Reading. I did get a few good tips on books to read.

You may remember that on Wednesday evenings, the Ice Cream group run is scheduled. I ran early just in case it was cancelled due to a storm. It was going to held at a nearby trail (HollyHock Preserve).

Storms all evening = NO RUN! NO ICE CREAM!

• Thursday – More rain in the forecast. It’s been tricky with the heat and the storms to have any kind of running schedule.

Again, I jumped outdoors before work to squeeze in my run (just in case the evening trail run was cancelled.) At least today the temps were a little cooler but I still struggled with the humidity. Where is the rain when you need it? (It started after I got home.)

Today’s Nugget (from an Ali on the Run podcast): An interview with a runner who is a commercial truck driver – away 5 days, 4 nights each week, working 14 hour days AND she is still able to run.  I’ll stop complaining about my job now ….

After work, I stopped by Fleet Feet to pickup my bib (and my friend Heidi’s) for Sunday’s race.

I wasted some time in Trader Joe’s before heading to the weekly group trail run.  Fingers crossed that it was not a repeat of Wednesday night.

The location of the run was Six Mile Waterworks park which is a combination of roads, grass and trails.

It was POURING!!! I was tempted to bail and a few of my friends did but I was nearby already. Yup, I went, I got very wet but we ran/walked and it was actually a lot of fun.

it rained very hard for most of the run but it did let up and I’m glad that I went.

Afterward we went out for ice cream. Redemption for the ice cream run the night before being canceled.

• Friday – More rain in the forecast and finally cooler temps. I didn’t plan to run but my runs have been very very slow and easy and I had no plans to run on Saturday.

So I checked the forecast and it appeared that it wasn’t going to rain until later in the day. WRONG!  So I could have run before work but I didn’t. And then it started raining around 11 am. I waited and waited but it did not stop!! Until 4 pm. Grrr…

I did get my run done…

It was sooooooo humid. I wished that I had run in the rain.

Then I had to rush home in order to get ready to go out to dinner with friends and then play mah jongg.

Yup. Long day!

• Saturday – Crazy weather. Earlier in the week it was at least 100 degree heat index and today the temps were in the 60s.

The forecasted rain never came but it was humid. I did walk at the Crossings while my friends ran. It was strange not to be worrying about doing a long run. Afterward we all walked around the farmer’s market and then we enjoyed a delicious brunch at our favorite restaurant (which now has a new location.)

The rest of the day was spent on kitchen remodeling shopping.  So hard!!!

• Sunday – Race Day. Firecracker 4. A very popular race but my first time running it. It was the largest race that I have run since the Pandemic (though not as large as this race usually is).  I always have fun running races and this was no exception. I even ran a PR (shocker!)

I carpooled with my friend Heidi, caught up with many running friends that I’ve not seen (due to the Pandemic) and afterward Heidi and I went out to lunch (There’s always food involved.)

After lunch, I had thought that I had enough energy to add more miles so this would count as a long run.  Nope!!

some slogging miles on the Zim Smith bike path

The hubby and I decided not to go up to the lake today. In stead some gardening and fireworks at our local park.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF – hike
• Tuesday – run, walk with friends
• Wednesday – SOAR run
• Thursday – ARE Trail Run (with friends)
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – LONG Run
• Sunday – rest day, boating/hiking

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Hiking 2021: Mid-Year Update
• Friday – Tips for Trail Running

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 July 4th?  Please share.

We’ve already had some 90 degree days but the longest day came and went this past week. It is now officially Summertime!

Of course that can also mean crazy weather. 90 degrees one day, 60 the next….

I plan to enjoy those extra hours of daylight each evening (with lots of walks, runs, hikes) as the days will be getting shorter. Sigh.

Last Week:

• Monday – Well, I finally decided to run before work since it was going to be very hot and humid and I was still working from home. It was already hot but glad that I did it. Someone recommended listening to Tina Muir’s Running for Real podcast. It was a nice diversion to be listening to someone who was also running at the same time.  I think prefer my other podcasters because I like to take my mind off my run (if that makes sense).

My new tanks says: ew, running but I really felt ew, humidity.

Today’s Nugget (from Running for Real podcast: We say “We don’t have time.” Not true. The real reason for not doing something (running, working out, seeing friends, etc.) is that our priorities are not there.

I am definitely guilty of giving that excuse. We all can make time for exercise and our friends if we feel that it is important. But we all have different priorities. If going to the gym is a priority that you re-arrange things and make time for it. If running with a friend is a priority then you again, you make it happen.

After dinner, I went for a walk with my BFF. We had planned to walk outside but with the intense heat and thunderstorm threat, we chose the mall. Unfortunately, COVID hours are in place so it closes at 7 pm. You can still walk (even though stores are closed) but it got hot and stuffy so we did finally go outside.

• Tuesday – I woke up to needed rain (and it continued to rain all day) but it didn’t bother me since it was a rest day. I was happy that it did stop by 5 pm so I could walk with friends after work.  What a difference between today (in the 60s) and yesterday (90 and humid).

perfect temps for a long walk on the rail trail.

• Wednesday – Wednesday evenings I have two choices for group runs – SOAR (womens only run) and an Ice Cream run.

The ice cream run met at Six Mile Waterworks (part road and part trail around a lake) followed by a visit to Coldstone creamery.

Surprisingly I decided to attend the SOAR group run.  I prefer local ice cream shops (not chains) and SOAR is every other Wednesday so I can do the ice cream run next week (and Six Mile Waterworks is the group trail run location for next week, as well).

We met at the Corning bike path and I ran 3 miles with a variety of women. Running with others is so much more enjoyable than running alone. I met new runners and my pace was faster than usual. Win. Win.

and I made it my own ice cream run lol

• Thursday – My favorite night of the week: Summer Trail Run Series (STRS).  I met up with new and old friends and explored a new location. We ran around Indian Ladder Farms (famous for its cider donuts in the fall) … so fun!  Indian Ladder Farms also has a brewery so we all stayed after the run for a drink and snack.

another beautiful trail…that is strawberry rhubarb hard cider

• Friday – Rest Day.  I decided today that I would at least be active. I walked before work. I had hoped to bike at lunch and then hike after work but neither of those things happened.

just admiring flowers in my ‘hood

I ended the day with my weekly mah jongg game.

• Saturday – Long Run Saturday. I had new appliances being delivered so I had to stay local.  We all met at the Rail Trail at various times for various distances. I wanted to run a few miles before my friends arrived but Sherry was already there when i arrived at 7:15 so  I ran 4 miles with her and then Jan and Deirdre joined us for 4 more HUMID miles. Afterward, as usual, everyone gathered for brunch.

• Sunday – Hiking Boating Sunday. Another scorcher of a day.  too hot for a hike. The only solution was to spend the day on the lake. It was very breezy so quite comfortable.

aaah! we docked at 3 different islands and stayed cool

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run, walk with friends
• Tuesday – rest day, hair appt
• Wednesday – Ice Cream run (with friends)
• Thursday – ARE Trail Run (with friends)
• Friday – run, walk with friends, mah jongg
• Saturday – LONG Run, rest day, walk with friends, boating?
• Sunday – rest day, Firecracker 4 race, boating?

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Mid-Year Review
• 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? Anything exciting planned for July 4th? Please share.

April showers bring … Wait, it’s June. Rain this week made scheduling things a challenge. But the important things like runs got done.

Last Week:

• Monday – #nevermissamonday almost didn’t happen. I woke up to thunderstorms and the rain continued on and off throughout the day. I wanted to squeeze a run in since I wanted to take a rest day on Tuesday (There was more rain in the forecast).

wore my lucky outfit and got a lunch run done before the next thunderstorm

• Tuesday – Since it was supposed to rain, I didn’t plan to run and besides, it was a busy work day. I was hoping that my long after work walk would not get rained out. And it rained before and after so we got in a delightful walk on the rail trail.

I will miss my walking buddies on Thursdays.

• Wednesday – Today was our second scheduled Ice Cream run. You know how I feel about ice cream so joining this group run again this week was a no brainer. The timing worked out since I was too busy to run at lunch anyway. We met at The Crossings at 6 pm to run and then after, we went to a nearby shop to get some homemade ice cream.

It was perfect temps for running and I ran with a faster runner so I got a good workout.

• Thursday – No rain for the 2nd day in a row. I was very excited because today at 6:30 pm was our first scheduled  weekly Trail Group Run since 2019. We met at Lawson Lake and about 75 runners showed up. You know that I am nervous about running on trails so I was glad to have company at the back of the pack. There was also a BBQ after. Loads of fun!

The course was about 3 miles – some technical parts and steep hills but I ran more than I thought I would. Looking forward to next week’s.

• Friday – Rest Day finally. Not much activity beside a short bike ride during lunch and my weekly mah jongg game. It was held this week at my house so that meant shopping and cleaning.

I hadn’t take this baby out in a month…. and it was such a beautiful sunny day. Wish I had more time.

• Saturday – Long Run Saturday. Would we get rained out? Nope, no rain until evening. We ran on a new to me bike path. It was nice to run some place different though I did not appreciate the hills. Afterward, we got brunch (of course) and hung at Chris’ house.

sorry no people pix. too hot. we started too late and it was so warm and humid. I planned on 10 but could barely get in 6. The trail was not shaded and uphill. I ran will Barbara and Sherry for while and then Debbie and finally on my own. We met the 4 others after for food and chatting.

I couldn’t stay that long since I had a graduation party to attend in the afternoon.

• Sunday – A beautiful day for relaxing on the lake.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday – rest day, walk with friends
• Wednesday – Ice Cream run
• Thursday – ARE Trail Run (with friends)
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – LONG Run
• Sunday – rest day, boating/hiking

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Your Initials and Running
• 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? Have you been experiencing summer temps or rain where you live? Any vacations planned? Please share.

After last weekend’s cold rainy weather, it was nice to have more seasonal temps.

I celebrated

on June 2, 2021

with my virtual running friends,

                                    ❤ these bloggers

I went on my first group hike of 2021

                    at a new local park

I’d say that it was a pretty good week (even with all the rain and without a race.)

Last Week:

• Monday – It was Memorial Day and so I had the day off from work. Normally we would be boating on Lake George. But the weather was cold and dreary and the sun didn’t come out until 4 pm.

I felt well enough to run but decided to rest the feet and do some exploring.

First I headed to see some local falls. Last time I saw them, the Viewing Park was not open. This time you could walk across and down and get a closer look.

Needing to stretch my legs more, I walked around town… lots of history here.

Since I wasn’t too far away, I was curious about Van Schaick Mansion so I drove there.

a little disappointing but the little library replica was cute

And then on my way home, I stopped to walk around the gardens at Ten Broeck Mansion.

I need to come back when more of the flowers are in bloom.

• Tuesday – It was cool but the sun was shining so I had to get out and see how my feet felt.  They did ok for a quick lunch run in the neighborhood.

the sun went in but I misjudged how warm and humid it was (overdressed) at noon.

I always listen to podcasts when I run alone.  However, by the time I get home, I have forgotten what I learned. So I decided to stop and record a note.

Today’s nugget (as Nicole DeBoom calls it) is from AMR: Your body is an instrument not an ornament. Focus on what it can do, not what it looks like.

After work, I was back on the rail trail for a long walk with a friend. We chose a different direction and were happily surprised with this view.

• Wednesday – National Running Day!  So of course, I had to run!! Again, I chose to do it at lunch in the neighborhood but a different route from Tuesday.

could feel the humidity for this one

Today’s nugget is again from AMR: A real runner doesn’t have to do anything, You should do whatever fires you up. And it’s different for each person.

I also celebrated the day with a purchase:

My favorite show ever. This is so me some days….

So after work, I was free to go hiking and hoping that the forecasted rain would hold off. It was just Jan and I and we chose a newly opened local trail called Normans Kill Ravines. Unfortunately as soon as we arrived, it started to rain and it continued raining hard the whole hike.  And the 3.5 mile loop (due to lack of trail markers) turned into almost 5 miles.

The trails were very pretty even with the mud but we ended up exiting the trail on the opposite side of the park and had to walk back through town to our cars.

• Thursday – Not running on Monday always messes up my schedule. I hate to run three days in a row. And so it was a struggle but I got it done.

I get dressed before work but I need to check the weather before my lunch runs…so warm and humid. Though this was tough, I enjoyed all the roses and irises and a new walking trail.

Today’s nugget (from a guest on Run This World): I’m not a naturel athlete. I’ll never be fast. I do not train to to be a better runner. I go out to run because I want to get better at sucking at something. (Can anyone identify?)

I wasn’t sure if the thunderstorms would cancel my post work walk or not with my friend. But they did not and the rain arrived much later.

Afterward, I rushed to my friend’s for a charity Scrabble tournament.

We played as a team against 7 other teams. I think we did really well (over 800 pts in each of the 2 games.) Maybe we’ll win. Anyway, it was so much fun. (and yes I’m dressed in my walking clothes.)

• Friday – Finally a rest day. It started out with rain but then it stopped and I actually took out my bike at lunch. Ugh! So hot and humid (what a change in the weather).  Still not a fan of biking but maybe if I left the neighborhood?

I was also happy to be back playing mah jongg on Friday nights.

• Saturday – Reunited with my Sole Sisters (after a few weeks off) for a long run. We decided to meet at the Zim Smith bike path and run our usual individual distances and then meet after for brunch outside Leah’s.  I ran 1 mile before and then carpooled with Barbara. Then I met Sherry, Stan and Judy for 7 more. It was so nice to have the whole gang together again.

Just couldn’t muster up enough energy in the heat/humidity for 10 miles

• Sunday – Summer arrived. What happened to spring? Hot Hot Hot.

Not sure what we’re planning…Boating? Gardening? Appliance shopping??

It turns out that it was hiking at Up Yonda Farms.

Near our boat…my 2nd time here but did ALL the trails this time.

Hope you are staying cool.

This Coming Week on the Run– 

• Monday – DAY OFF, long hike with a friend in the Catskills
• Tuesday – run, walk with friends
• Wednesday – Ice Cream Run (with friends)
• Thursday – run, walk with friends
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Rabbit Ramble 4 mile race
• Sunday – rest day, boating or hiking

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Speed or Endurance?
• Friday – Upper Arm Exercises

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 been experiencing summer temps where you live? Any vacations planned? Please share.

I was away with my girlfriends in Naples, Fla most of this TWO week period. We had perfect weather and loads of fun.

Then I came home to lots of laundry and to celebrate my birthday (on Mother’s Day.)

On an insane impulse, I also registered for a race on Saturday.

4-26.21-5.2.21:

• Monday – I was planning on squeezing in a run at lunch in the neighborhood but an emergency vet appt in the morning took away my lunch time (Champ had an infected bite wound but he is now fine).

he was very upset that he couldn’t go out and play for a week

Instead after work, I drove back to Washington Park to run around the tulips and do some hill work. Change of plans, I ran around town first and ended up at the tulips.

no pep in my step today but still got it done….

I just took pics, skipped the hills and walked back to my car.

90,000 bulbs here once they are all in bloom

• Tuesday – Today I had time for a run during lunch. I was expecting much but trying to front load my runs in case they do not get done in Florida.

stayed in the neighborhood and sported my Florida race shirt

After work, I skipped my long walk with friends in order to finish packing and to get to bed early.

• Wednesday – I took a very early flight (6 am) to Florida. Once we arrived, we picked up the rented van and drove to Naples.  We got settled in our villas, ate lunch, went grocery shopping and then hung out at the pool. I was glad that I ran Monday and Tuesday since there was a lot of sitting happening today.

sunny – heat index over 100 EVERYDAY!!

• Thursday – I got up early and excitedly got to play tennis with my friends. I guess it’s like riding a bike. It felt great to be out there. Afterward, while they were taking a tennis lesson, I went for a run. Whoa. Heat and humidity! Quite an adjustment.

ran around the neighborhood admiring all the gardens

Next on today’s agenda was the beach followed by a delicious dinner in French restaurant. A perfect day to be followed by many perfect days.

Best dinner of the week (I am a biased former French teacher)

• Friday – Today I went for a pre-tennis run. Still hot and humid. I decided that I would just happily endure the heat and humidity each morning.

more sweat and more flowers

Again we went to the beach. And after, we all went out to a scrumptious dinner. (Do you see a pattern?)

Some of the girls did go to the pool some days but I prefer the beach. Cool breezes, warm waves= Heaven!

• Saturday – Things were becoming routine.

I found it cooler if I ran outside the community and along the canal…

I ran (if you could call it “running”) while my friends took their tennis lesson, then I played tennis with them and afterward I went to the beach. It was hot, sunny and humid but I loved it. Tonight’s dinner was Italian and we went to the theater after.

We saw Calendar Girls at the local theater

• Sunday – I started the day with an early morning walk. No tennis or running since we decided on a road trip. We drove 1 1/2 hours north to Sarasota. First we took a boat ride on the Myakka River

Not as many alligators as we hoped but it was fun and we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park too.

and then went on a nature and canopy walk in the park.

quite shady which was very very nice on this hot day

Next we visited Selby Gardens where in addition to the beautiful flowers, there was an exhibit of Lichtenstein’s version of Monet.

Monet is one of my favorite painters so I really enjoyed this!!

We ended our visit with the St Armand Circle shops and a seafood dinner.

Last Week:

• Monday – For the next few days, we played tennis first thing in the morning and then I ran during their lesson. The runs became more difficult since the temps were higher and the sun stronger. I coped by adding in more walk breaks.

I think I was walking more than running so these were just miles on the legs….

Again we went to the beach and out to dinner. But tonight we skipped dessert and had it back home during our book club.

We discussed Anxious People and yes, the dessert was as good as it looks

• Tuesday – Today was pretty similar to Monday. Tennis, slow sweaty run, beach.

Of course, I realized that I should be running BEFORE tennis when it was cooler!! Not easy when you stayed up late on vacation….

Since it was our last Florida dinner, we had it at the Ritz while watching the sunset.

Top left: this is the first restaurant we ate at in Naples in 2005 so we go there every year just to take a pic. I am sunrise and sunset obsessed so I insist on ONE during my tennis vacations. My friends indulge me. (on my own, I’d be there every night lol)

• Wednesday – Last day in sunny Florida. Tennis, a slow run…

I was frowning because I looked at the weather forecast for home!!!

followed by relaxing by the pool and dinner at the airport. Our flights were uneventful (for a change.)

Top: group pic with Mark our tennis instructor (I did not take lessons but everyone else liked him). Bottom: the bigger of the two pool in the community

• Thursday – Home sweet home but missing my friends and the warm sunshine. I don’t often run several days in a row but my Florida running was more walking and I also wanted to check out the tulips in Washington Park before the weekend. The weather was cool and breezy so perfect for running.

it’s lilac time too!!

This past weekend was have been peak for the tulips but they were still gorgeous.

more tulip pics on IG @dsc59

After work, I resumed my walk on the rail trail with friends.

• Friday – Finally a real rest day. The only thing I did was take a walk with a friend after work.
• Saturday – On a whim, I signed up for a race – Prospect Mountain Road Race – 5.67 miles up a mountain (over 1600 ft elevation gain). Crazy, right? Yes it was hard, very hard but I finished unscathed, won 3rd in my age group and even enjoyed it.

Afterward, I drove up to Bolton Landing and walked around for a while (I had planned to run but was too beat).

Lake George still pretty on a cloudy day

As as soon I got home, I had to rush out as my stepson and his wife had invited us out to dinner to celebrate my birthday and Mother’s Day.

• Sunday – MY BIRTHDAY!  No big celebration planned.  I thought I might run 6.8k but decided that I would go for a hike or two instead.

I am lucky to have so many choices within an hour radius.  I decided that I needed water views and waterfalls.  And I hit the jackpot.

Falling Waters Preserve – 3 trails with Hudson River views and several waterfalls!

On the way home, I stopped to hike a shorter trail.

More views of the Hudson but people live in the lighthouse so I could not climb it.

Believe it not mot, I accidently walked 4.2 miles or 6.8K!!!

Later we will stop by my MIL’s to wish her a happy Mother’s Day.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday –  run, walk
• Tuesday – rest day, walk with friends
• Wednesday –run, walk
• Thursday – run, walk
• Friday – rest day, bike, walk
• Saturday – Long Run
• Sunday – rest day – walk, hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday–  My Worst Racing Outfits
• Friday – Tips for Running During Vacations

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?  Is it warming up where you live? How did you spend Mother’s Day? Please share.