As things have opened up (We are in Phase 3), the temps have heated up.

That means getting up earlier to run before work so I don’t die and looking for shadier trails for after work.

But mostly everything is the same.

I have until Aug 31 to run/walk 1000k.  Still chugging along.

Last Week –

• Monday – As I mentioned, it was hot and humid.  What I hate about running early is that it is boring to run in my neighborhood.  Looking forward to cloudy cooler temps just so I can drive somewhere to run after work.

running slow enough to admire the landscapes in my NYC outfit…

I went for a walk again at lunch…and almost had heat stroke lol

I need a shadier route but the trails are so buggy…

After work, I waited until the temps went down from 95 to 86 and headed for a shady trail.  I re-visited Hanncroix Creek Preserve. When I arrived, people were leaving in bathing suits. I guess it is a popular swimming hole as well as a trail.

you can jump of the cliff into the creek or climb down the rocks to cool off..there are a few different trails so I still have more to explore on my next visit

• Tuesday – Today I went for my walk before work instead of a run and then again during lunch.

another hot one…wish I had done my run early this morning

I had planned to meet my BFF for a walk and talk so I squeezed in my run before that at UAlbany.

a steamy run around campus…met two old tennis friends on the way and well. you can see my post run treat

• Wednesday – It rained all night so the temps were a lot cooler in the morning so I should have run but instead I went for a walk since I was still debating about the evening Ice Cream group run.

had to model my new shirt from the FRW virtual 5k… much cooler out but still humid

I walked again at lunch. This time I drove to the nearby preserve (and put on a lot of bug spray).

two loops of Van Dyke Preserve were a refreshing reprieve from the ‘hood

WTH?…I drove to the Crossings to meet some others to run followed by ice cream.

the run was good since I was motivated to run faster than when I run alone, I met some new people and well, the ice cream was eaten too fast to take a pic.

• Thursday – Finally a rest day with a few short walks and an evening adventure trail walk with my running friends on tap.

Too much work drama to get my walk in before work and the temps were cool and perfect for a run (figures).  I did get a short walk in at lunch.

Then after work, I drove to Peebles Island State Park. I walked a bit until everyone arrived …

and then we strolled around the island. We didn’t get lost.  It was an island (but that fact didn’t stop us last time.) Lots of fun, as usual (and ice cream after.)

• Friday – Another rest day. A walk before work and then a walk at the Arboretum since I signed up to volunteer there after work.

no one showed up so I went home did 2 hours of weeding there

Dinner out at an outdoor restaurant (for the 2nd time.) This time locally with a friend. Just a little bit of normalcy.

• Saturday – LONG RUN DAY.  This week we picked the Zim Smith Bike Path. Our reason was that we thought that Leah’s Cakery had re-opened and we wanted to buy our brunch items there (then we found out that you had to order your items 2 days in advance so we switched to Lakeside Farms just a few minutes away).

As with every long run, I am running longer than the others so I get there early and run and then hook up with the others.

I ran 4 miles solo and then 6 more with Sherry & Alyssa…as you can tell almost everyone in the group showed up to either run, walk or brunch…Love my running friends!!

Well, we discovered that Leah’s indeed had opened, so we hung out in the park, ate and chatted until the rain came.

• Sunday – Boating was on my schedule but the weather did not cooperate. Instead I planned an early morning hike with a friend.  But she texted to tell me it was already raining.  I decided to go solo and bring an umbrella and avoid the mud by walking on the rail trail (where I often run.)  I headed to the end and it was no longer raining.  And much to my surprise there was an exhibit of artwork dedicated to the pandemic.  What a treat.

the pictures don’t do it justice since there are words on many of the art.

I walked and discovered some side trails (you see so much more when you are not running) and only truned back when I heard thunder.

Only a few drops of rain so I decided to continue my explorations until the real rain came.  I headed into the city to visit the ground of Ten Broeck Mansion.

another hidden treasure that is located in the worst section of the city

Rain kept threatening so I headed toward home and got in one more walk.  This time at the opposite end of the trail trail.  I walked until I hit the bubbling creek and then rushed back to the sound of thunder.

don’t you love the family huddled under that umbrella (on Pride Day)

Last stop before I got home was to get my NAILS done!!! They took my temp, the salon was empty.  Hair colored and cut and now a manicure. OMG.  My life is complete…only kidding.  (I could have waited since I work from home but self care is important, you guys!!)

While I was getting my nails done, the sky opened up.

It rained several more times but I was able to get in one more walk.  Forecast for Mon, Tues and Wed is showers and thunderstorms!! Oh my…

after dinner on the middle of the rail trail

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday –  rest day, trail walk
• Thursday – run
• Friday – rest day
• Saturday – LONG RUN 
• Sunday – rest day, boating

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?  Are things opening up where you live? Are things getting more normal for you?  Please share.

Things are changing but most things are not.

I am working from home.

I am seeing my friends but at a distance.

I am running casually a few times a week with a long run on the weekend.

I am walking daily and visiting nature preserves as often I can.

NO RACES!! Another Half Marathon has gone virtual – Saratoga Palio (my September race cancelled)!!

this past week was PERSEVERANCE Un-Canceled

Signed up run/walk 500k but just switched to 1000k – have until Aug 31.  Wish me luck!

Last Week –

• Monday – A beautiful day.  I started it with a neighborhood walk.

my focus this morning was looking for peonies…

I had to squeeze in my run at lunch since I had a few things scheduled for after work.

wore my aftershoz headphones for the first time in a long time.

I was warm and tired but persevered through this run

After work, I had an appt with my podiatrist.  I got there early so went for a walk (on the trail nearby that I had discovered the last time I went to my office.)

After my dr. visit and dinner, I met my BFF for a walk and talk at an outdoor mall.  (Gotta get those steps in – 6 miles a day to meet the 1000k challenge.)

in front of the bookstore…all the stores are now open with limited hours.

• Tuesday – The temps are heating up.  I should have RUN before work but I didn’t. I walked in the ‘hood.

the roses are comin’ the roses are comin’

Getting tired of the neighborhood so I drove to the rail trail but walked on the road and the waterline – for variety.

Then after work, it was almost 90 degrees…yikes.  I drove to the Crossings and dragged myself through 3 steamy miles.

is it creepy to run through a cemetery?

• Wednesday – After that horrible run in yesterday’s heat, I decided to get up early and run before work. The only negative is I don’t have time to drive somewhere so I am limited to my neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Some runners like to look for rainbows. For me, it’s flowers. I used to like rainbows (in fact I bought a wind chime at the end of last summer) but now it makes me sad. It reminds me of this pandemic.

Best idea ever to get my run done before it hit 90 degrees.  At lunch, I took a leisurely walk at the preserve.

I saw a huge blue heron by the creek but he flew away before I could get a pic.

After work, I drove to hike at another preserve. I decided to re-visit Bozenkill Preserve.  I wasn’t able to hike the whole trail last time due to the mud. It was dry this time and much cooler there in the shade of the trees.

I walked the blue and white rails and most of the red… It’s an out and back (not my favorite) so it got kinda boring.

As I started to drive home, it started to rain… That was a surprise.

• Thursday – Woke up to wind and POURING rain…so no pre-work walk or run.

Actually, it was a rest day anyway.  I walked at lunch since the rain had stopped and it was sooo HUMID. So glad that I didn’t try to run.

pink flower day

My running group has decided to visit the trails every week.  Tonight we chose Tawasentha Park. It was so fun (not the hills but having company and the ice cream afterwards.)

just walking the trails on a steamy evening

• Friday – I had planned to be in NYC today and running the NYC Mini 10k the next day. So sad!!!

The pattern lately has been two rest days before my long run. And if the weather cooperates, just a few walks and/or hikes.

Of course today’s weather was perfect for running.

Hope you’re not sick of my neighborhood flower pics. But after yesterday’s pink flower day, I decided to pick a color and focus on that during my walks.

pre-work walk

lunch walk

After work, my new hiking buddy agreed to come walk with me.  I re-visited Pine Hollow Arborteum.

I was a little disappointed on how overgrown things were and that most of the trees were past bloom..still a relaxing way to end the week.

On the way home, I stopped off at another trail that I hiked early on in the pandemic – Normanskill Preserve West.

loved this loop down to the creek and back

• Saturday – LONG RUN DAY.  The challenge is to find a route where we can easily gather afterward and have brunch (while 6ft apart).  So far, we have been returning each week to the Rail Trail.  For the 3rd week in a row, I started earlier (ran 4 miles) and then ran with others (6 more with Karen & Sherry).  Another 10 mile run completed!!  The temp was perfect and this run was sooo much easier than last week.

2 others missing from the pic. so happy that we are back “together “again.

Got home and did some strength training.  No, I pulled weeds and trimmed bushes.  Same thing LOL

• Sunday – Finally a Boating Day.  Not as warm as I would have liked so instead we decided on yard work.  The hubby mowing the lawn and me again weeding and trimming bushes.

I had to take advantage of the awesome weather and go for one more hike for the week. This time, it was some place new – Christman Preserve.

I was hoping for a beautiful waterfall…no mud but unfortunately the waterfall was nonexistent… though it looked like it may have been crowded, but it was not and I enjoyed the hike. I plan to return and complete more of the trails rather than just the one to and from the upper and lower waterfall.

Looking ahead to summer temps and boating for sure, next weekend.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run after work
• Tuesday –  run at lunch, hair appt (finally)
• Wednesday – rest day, dinner with tennis gals
• Thursday – run before work, trail walk with running friends
• Friday – rest day
• Saturday – LONG RUN 
• Sunday – rest day, boating with family

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?  We’re almost at phase 3. Are you relaxing on the social distancing and seeing your friends or going out to dinner or even had a haircut? Please share.

13 weeks and still working from home.  The word is that I will not return to the office until at least after Labor Day.

I bought a patio umbrella so I can sometimes work outside.

Continuing to look for new and interesting places to run or walk and practice social distancing. This week I re-visited some that I had already discovered.

The New Normal was running, walking, working ALONE and in isolation.

My LATEST New Normal is re-connecting with my friends – picnics, running, hiking, boating, eating.  All with the appropriate safety measures.  Humans are not meant to be “alone” IMO. (No judgment against those who still feel uncomfortable being around others. I am fortunate that my friends feel as I do.)

this past week was COMMUNITY Un-Canceled

Continuing to run/walk 500k until Aug 31.

No races yet but I got two new bling items.

Last Week –

• Monday – Last week, it was 90 degrees one day.  Today when I woke up it was in the 40s. I went for my pre-work walk wearing a sweatshirt!!

no more daffodils or tulips but plenty of irises and azaleas around

I had made plans to hike with a friend after work, so I squeezed in a 5k during my lunch break.

breezy and cool but warm when the sun came out. This was on the water line line trail near my house

Thankful for the running community. As Kim said: We are running physically “apart but virtually together.”

I have already hiked 31 places during this pandemic. One with the hubby but the rest all alone.  More and more of my friends are open to doing things together (but 6 ft part lol).  So my former teaching BFF agreed to wait until I was done working to do a short hike together. I returned to one of the first places I visited back in March. You can see from the pic on the left that it is a lot greener now. And it was so nice to have company … finally. On the way home, I stopped by one more trail (that I also have previously visited in March.).

• Tuesday – Another chilly morning and since rain was in the forecast for later, I had planned to run before work.  I didn’t get up early enough so I settled for a neighborhood walk.

always finding new flowers to take pix of.

As they forecast, it was raining around lunchtime. I waited until it stopped and took a quick run  around the neighborhood.

my legs felt like lead and I was way overdressed since I didn’t change from my morning walk…but got home before another rain shower

After work, I had a ZOOM video chat with some of my college friends. Always fun re-connecting with old friends (with whom I spent my junior year in Nice, France.)

• Wednesday – Global Running Day. It was no-brainer not to run at some point in the day.  The challenge with working and the weather – WHEN?

Missing my NYC Skirt Sisters but we celebrated virtually as “triplets”

I started the day with a neighborhood walk and photo session (see above) and as always looking for new flowers in bloom.

it’s peony time!!

My running friends and I planned a short trail run for after work.  Just in case it did rain then, I ran at lunch. I started in the neighborhood and then continued on the waterline going in the opposite direction from Monday.  It started to rain (darn weather app) but stopped and then started and then stopped. Actually preferred it when it was raining because it was so muggy.

in the ‘hood and before and after the rain

Phew. The rain had stopped by the time I finished work. We all met at 6 Mile Waterworks for a trail walk and then hung out (at a distance).

we enjoyed so much that we want to do it every week.

• Thursday – REST DAY.  After 3 days in a run of running, I took the day off.  That still meant a walk or three.

Pre-work walk: still managing to discover new things but the neighborhood is starting to get boring.

lunch walk in the park: different direction from last week…no coyote sighting 🙂

Before the last walk, I had my weekly picnic in the park with my tennis friends.

I was already in the park so I stayed and walked part of the red trail. I didn’t expect flowers but there they were…wish I had had more time but it was getting dark…need to go back and finish this trail

• Friday – REST DAY.  Another day off from running because I planned a long run for the next day. Back to summer temps and HUMIDITY. Yes Holy Humidity…so glad to not run today. I was sweating on my walks (both before work and lunch were in my neighborhood due to time constraints.)

an early rose

I forgot that I bought these – channeling my love of NYC

We had a huge thunderstorm when I finished with work.  I had planned a hike 😦

Instead I went for a short walk in the park before I met a friend there for happy hour. And then it started to pour again. Luckily there was a nearby gazebo and we hung out there and chatted over wine.

• Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. There were thunderstorms in the forecast. But when I woke up it was sunny and no sign of rain. As I did last week, I went early to the rail trail so I could run 3 miles before everyone arrived. Yike! The Humidity!  I was dying and it was only 7 am.  My friends arrived and did a variety of mileage and walking. I ran with Sherry and we barely and I mean barely survived 7 miles.

The flag and bench was dedicated to someone I knew and my first 5k ever was in memory of him.

Same as last week, we all got something to eat and brought it to the library lawn and hung out (6 ft apart) and chatted until the rain drove us away.

I spent the rest of the day recovering…and doing errands and stuff around the house like weeding and laundry.

• Sunday – The temps cooled off and it was cloudy so we decided not to go boating.  Instead, the hubby played tennis and I went hiking with a friend.  I think I got her hooked on hiking the local preserves..

I picked Huyck Preserve since she had never been and I had enjoyed it (esp. the waterfalls).  It was even more fun not being by myself.

we did the full loop around the lake which was longer than the hike I originally did.

More weeding and laundry.Took a break and went for another hike. This time I re-visited Hollyhock Hollow Preserve. I did the blue loop along the creek and then also part of the white trail to an old quarry.  So many more trails left to explore too.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run, dr appt., walk with BFF
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – rest day, trail walk
• Friday – rest day
• Saturday – LONG RUN 
• Sunday – rest day, boating

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?  How is this virus affecting you and your family? Have you done any parking lot or driveway get togethers with friends or family? Please share.

Still…

most likely all summer

Missing my running friends!!

Trying to get outdoors often so I do not go stir crazy in my Office (aka a room in my house). Always looking for new and interesting places to run or walk and practice social distancing. I visited two more this past week.

I signed up again for 6 more weeks…this past week was Kindness Un-Canceled

I signed up for this challenge too. It started on May 15 and lasts until Aug 31. 500k across NYS. I’ll walking AND running this one.

I have not registered for any more races until my three half marathons in August, September and October.

Now I’m not sure what I want to do.  Do I continue to prepare for and run virtual halfs monthly or do I just run whatever??

Socially, things are starting to open up (with lots of restrictions).

The highlight of the week was going out on our boat!!! And running with my friends!!

Last Week –

• Monday – The day started out with rain. But it stopped and I took advantage and ran at lunch since I had scheduled an appt with my podiatrist for after work.

decided to run a virtual 5k. This one supported a charity for some friends who are running the NYCM. I will also be getting an engraved glass

I have been ignoring the fact that my feet have been hurting. Finally I gave in and went to the podiatrist. She again gave me a B12 shot (which cured me last time) for the neuroma and took xray of my bunion aching foot and prescribed Naproxen (which I had left over from the neuroma) and Voltaren cream (which I also had already).

Since I already had done my run, I decided that there was time to visit a new trail. I found one that was nearby.

I walked the loop and it was much longer than I anticipated. Not technical at all…a good one to run on.

• Tuesday – A sunny warm day.  Woo Hoo. I had to take an early lunch so could not walk with my friend.

walked part on the hilly part of the waterline and part on the neighborhood

I decided to run on the rail trail after work since it was closer than my other routes. NO foot pain!!!!! (Why did I wait so long to see a dr.??)

I may have had zero foot pain but I also had zero energy to do this run.

After my run, I met my BFF for a masked walk around an outdoor shopping plaza.  You may remember that we used to do mall walks all the time to catch up and chat. I miss that!!

• Wednesday – Wow. Another sunny warm day!! I had to stop off at work to pick something up so I did my lunch time walk there.

4 years working here and now I found a trail nearby

Then after work, I decided to run near where I used to work for this week’s Un-Canceled 5k and then end up in the park to check up on the tulips.

peonies have started to bloom in a few places 🙂

Sadly I had to say good-bye to the tulips. (Soon they will be replaced by annuals.)

most are gone or past prime but some were still left…

Then after dinner, I put 9 bags of mulch in my new perennial garden (Who needs strength training?)

• Thursday – Today was my hubby’s birthday!  We’ll celebrate at a later date. I went for a walk before work

I spy a peony!! Not sure why I don’t get up earlier and go for a walk EVERY day before work??

and then during lunch again with my friend. We talked the whole hour so I didn’t get any pix.

they were anxiously waiting for me to get home…NOT!

Then after work, my tennis friends and I gathered for BYO picnic in a park. As we did last Thursday, we sat 6ft apart and chatted and ate. (My friends are retired so were able to play tennis there before dinner.)

last week’s pic. This week, there were 10 of us (the limit, right?)

Of course, my running friends and I continued with our weekly evening ZOOM chat. The focus of our conversation was planning our runs together.

• Friday – Normally a rest day as I do my long run on Saturday. And the Sole Sisters planned our first social distancing run.  However, the forecast was for rain… Now I had a big dilemma since we wanted to go boating on Sunday!

Anyway, I again started the day with a walk before work.

always new flowering trees and bushes this time of year

Then I took an early lunch walk. Blue skies for the 3rd day in a row…getting spoiled.

the path behind my house is so much more lush…prettier but I no longer have easy access from my house (I have to walk around the block)

I decided keep my fingers crossed for a long run on Saturday and opted for a new trail instead of a run.

This is the same park that I picnicked this week but they have a whole network of pretty trails. I just did part of one.

• Saturday – So it was raining when I got up so we decided to postpone our long run until Sunday.  As soon as I clicked send on that text, the rain stopped.

Since I was already dressed to run, I decided to just go for my walk.  I intended to walk on the rail trail but I noticed an entrance to the water line (that eventually passes behind my house) so I headed that way.  Two miles later, I came to a dead end with a trail or two (and not sure which one to take).  So I turned back but plan to pursue this from my end.

loving the sunshine and the warm weather (finally)

I stopped off at the grocery store but it was still early (and sunny) so I phoned my hubby and we decided to head up to the lake.

This was going to be our first boating outing of the season and the first during this pandemic. I was wondering how it would turn out. But it was great.  Not crowded. Most of our friends were out on their boats.  We got docks at our two favorite bays.  The weather was PERFECT!!

not any social distancing evident on the lake

It was tempting to stay and sleep on our boat but my hubby had tennis in the morning and I had my re-scheduled long run.

• Sunday – As I mentioned above, I have no races on my schedule. That leaves me free to train or not to train. I decided to go for 10 miles and decide in future weeks. whether or no to do any virtual races.

My running friends (most of them) have decided to return to our group runs.  We ran or walked just not together. And then we met for brunch and ate (but not sitting together). It worked.  So great to talk to them in the flesh.

If I were solo, I would have done 10 miles but no reason to make everyone wait.

The rest of the day was spent gardening and I may also get in a hike.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – HOLIDAY = DAY OFF, rest day, boating
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – rest day, walk, tennis friends dinner, running friends ZOOM
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg walk
• Saturday – LONG RUN 
• Sunday – rest day, walk, boating

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?  How is this virus affecting you and your family? Have you done any parking lot or driveway get togethers with friends or family? Please share.

Still…

until probably Fall.

All social activities still cancelled. Missing my friends!!

Trying to get outdoors often so I do not go stir crazy in my Office (aka a room in my house). Always looking for new and interesting places to run or walk and practice social distancing. So far, I’ve been successful and haven’t run out of choices. This past week, I visited two more.

I signed up again for 6 more weeks…they are free so why not? Dreams Un-Canceled, Kindness Un-Canceled, Joy Un-Canceled, Community Un-Canceled, Perseverance Un-Canceled, Life Un-Canceled

And I actually chatted with some good friends this week (in person).

Last Week –

• Monday – A rainy day…at least no snow. It was a rest day but I wish I had gotten out before work for a walk because it wasn’t raining yet.  Fingers crossed for a break in the rain around lunch because the post work walk looked like a wash out.

It was raining and cold when I left the house at lunchtime so I wore a heavy coat and carried an umbrella. Since the trails would be too muddy, I walked around the neighborhood.

and then halfway through my walk, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Crazy weather! Hopefully you like flowers since this is what I will be posting all summer.

I was right, it was pouring when I finished work. Not able to visit a new trail today.  But after dinner, the rain did stop for awhile. Too muddy and late for a trail walk but I did squeeze in a chilly damp walk in town.

of course, more flower pictures.

• Tuesday – Cloudy, cool and WINDY but no rain.  My bi-weekly walk at lunch with my friend got canceled. I avoided most of the mud on the trail and had a nice solo walk.

lucky to have a safe and scenic place to walk right behind my house

Still windy after work but a little warmer and sunnier.  It’s always a dilemma on where to run to keep things interesting. I decided do my Un-Canceled 5k at Washington Park.

dreaming of running fast again on a day without WIND

I struggled with the wind but ran around the city first and then hit the park to finish up.

You can see those tulips blowin’ in the wind

I couldn’t leave the park before taking MORE pictures of the tulips.

unfortunately this won’t be the last of my tulip pics

• Wednesday – Hooray for some sun today.  Still windy (Come on, it’s May not March!!) Decided to take to the trails at lunch (after 2 days of NO rain) to see if the mud was passable.

too loops of Van Dyke preserve and not muddy at all

Then after work, I decided to check out the UAlbany loop since I had not been there since I started working from home.  Due to Covid19 testing there, I was only able to do a 3/4 loop so just added on the lake loop.

• Thursday – Finally perfect weather,  Sunny, warm, no wind and it was my REST DAY. I wish I had thought of getting up earlier and going for a walk before work. (Oh, you lucky folks who do not HAVE to work!!)

Today was my first real social day during this pandemic. First a lunch walk with my friend.

took a late walk and bumped into two former co-workers (on bikes) from the previous job. Small world.

Then after work my tennis friends and I gathered for BYO picnic in a park. We sat 6ft apart and chatted and ate. Can’t believe that is what my social life has come to but better than not seeing my friends at all.

Of course, my running friends and I continued with our weekly ZOOM chat.

• Friday – The second day in a row that it was nice before work and I wished that I had taken a walk.  It was another rest day (I don’t run the day before a LONG run.) Heavy rain and thunderstorm were predicted but I was able to squeeze in a short walk in the neighborhood after I dropped my car off for some maintenance.

the lilacs are coming. the lilacs are coming. Love how they smell.

Fingers crossed that the storms would hold off and I didn’t get caught in them as I  had planned to explore a new trail. Can’t believe that less than a week ago, it snowed and today it was humid and 85 degrees.

I decided to go to Hannacroix Creek Preserve.  The first trail went own to the River.

Then the second longer and hilly one went up to the water falls.

Got both hikes done and back home before the rain!!

• Saturday – The Steel Rail Half Marathon was scheduled for Sunday but I chose to run it virtually rather than on it’s new Oct 10 date.  That meant I could run it today since the weather looked better. I decided on the Corning Bike Path for my 13.1. It’s pretty flat. I lucked out on the weather. It was sunny and warm. I struggled (my feet hurt) but I took my time and walked when needed and got it done.

this may be my last virtual half marathon

After doing some errands, I got home in time for our blogger ZOOM Coffee Date.

always look forward to these chats

• Sunday – Our second spring temp day in a row. We were thinking of going boating as our marina opened yesterday. But the weather seemed to be cloudy, chilly and breezy. (Don’t trust the weather app. it turned out to be a very nice day.)

Instead my hubby went off to play tennis and I went for a long drive to check out a new preserve – Huyck Preserve. I chose to do the Lake loop and glad I did.This may have been one of my favorite hikes.

love waterfalls, obviously

When I got home, we went shopping for perennials since I decided that this year, I wanted to create a new perennial garden.  (My strength training for the year!!)

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday –  run, walk with BFF
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – rest day, tennis picnic, running friends ZOOM
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg walk
• Saturday – LONG RUN
• Sunday – rest day, boating

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?  How is this virus affecting you and your family? Have you done any parking lot or driveway get togethers with friends or family? Please share.

May 15 can’t come soon enough…but will it be even longer?? Yes, it probably will…. It don’t see it ending for a long time. (NYS is now on pause until June 7!!)

Otherwise things are the same. All social activities still cancelled. Missing my friends!! But keeping in touch via ZOOM.

a hopeful message from my blogger friends (I’m sure you recognize most everyone)

Trying to get outdoors often so I do not go stir crazy in my Office (aka a room in my house). Always looking for new and interesting places to run or walk and practice social distancing. So far, I’ve been successful and haven’t run out of choices. I explored four new locations this week (up to 20 now).

Joined this group.  I’m a big ZOOMA fan after my Bermuda experience and it’s FREE!

my yearly goal is 1000 miles…already met a lot of runners thru FB

I think I’m postponing my birthday this year.  Why not?  Everything else is on pause lol

Last Week –

• Monday – Made the right call today.  It was sunny and calm when I got up.  The forecast was for increasing clouds and WIND. So I did my run before work for the first time since maybe last summer?

combined my neighborhood and the trails and was only a little late for work

That left me no pressure for two more walks.  Lunch time one nearby at the park

notice the mud and the change in outfit.. it was cold and windy

and after work for exploring a new trail. (#17)

I chose this one because it was not too far away. It was well marked but not as scenic as the others.

• Tuesday – A chilly breezy yet sunny day. Walked with my friend at lunch

took her to Van Dyke preserve

and then drove to the rail trail and COMMITTED to a Un-canceled 5k.

match my outfit to the theme each week.

• Wednesday – Believe it not, there was frost when I got up.  It did warm up in time for my lunch walk.  I decided to drive to the rail trail and then realized that it was farther than I thought and if I walked, I wouldn’t get much exercise so I ran.  Then I was too warm to run so I walked.

at least got in those flower pics..chose a road alongside the rail trail rather than on it

These days, if it’s not raining, I feel like running. Basically it is not overdoing it if you run slow and stop and take loads of pretty pictures.  So I drove to Washington Park and finished my lunch run and then of course, did a tulip progress check. The tulips,for the most part, were lacking (either no care due to the cancellation of the tulip fest or today’s hard frost). I did meet a running friend there so that was nice and got in some miles and quick pics.

• Thursday – I went for a walk again during my lunch with my friend

on the fit trail in the local park

and I had planned to run today as well since it was warm and the sun was shining. Of course, after work, the sun was not shining as brightly and it got very windy. Still it was warm and I wanted to go to Trader Joe’s so I decided to run at the Crossings.

excited anytime it is skirt weather and I bought myself FLOWERS at TJs.

Also had a double ZOOM chat with my local running friends.  This has become a highlight of my week. Miss running with them. I piggybacked on Miranda‘s collage message idea and created my own:

We support each other & can’t wait to bRUNch together again ❤ my “sole sisters”

• Friday – No lunch walk today due to a dentist appointment.  Yes, they are open once a week and have put so much in place to make you feel safe. (Now if only the nail salon and hairdresser would open…)

But even on a rest day I wanted to celebrate Ahmaud with 2.23 miles:

I was hoping that the rain would hold off so I could do it in a new location (#18). But with the rain predicted, I need to find a trail not too far away.  So I chose Papscanee Island Nature Preserve (about 20 min. away.) First I parked at the South entrance because the trail was a loop.

It was poorly marked if at all and the path along the Hudson was strewn with garbage

Then I drove to the North entrance because I wasn’t yet at 2.23 miles.

it was just an out and back, very flat and boring (good for running, though) so I turned around before the rain started.

• Saturday – MY BIRTHDAY. In recent years, I was either in Florida celebrating with my tennis friends or home, running a race and celebrating with a visit to the Tulip Fest (with my mentee and her sons) and then out to dinner with the hubby.

Well, obviously during this pandemic year, none of the above could be happening. And the weather (as usual) did not cooperate.  I woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground (many nearby places got a few inches), feels like 20 degrees and insane winds. I even decided to postpone my long run until Sunday.

That made it convenient to take a ZOOM yoga class for runners in the morning.  This month’s focus was on the hips. Very hard but worth it.

So as I said above and to my hubby, I am postponing my birthday celebration to a nicer day when I can go up to the lake and eat outside (with others) in the sunshine.

But when you work from home all week, crappy weather or not, you want to escape (at least I do) so I dragged the hubby on a road trip.  South cuz I thought it may be a little warmer.

First was Artists Falls (about 45 min. south)…not sure if we found it because it was not labeled as such but it was near the Clove Inn so maybe.

I was freezing and it snowed on and off…the trails were a little too technical but the waterfall beautiful. (new trail #19)

On the way home, I spotted another waterfall which was even more impressive – near Tumbling Falls House (c1880).

no trail just a BnB

And when we got home, I needed to stop and get my FREE birthday Starbucks which just happened to be not far from another preserve that had a waterfalls.

even colder and more snow, I’ll return here when it is warmer – for more pics and videos, check out my IG posts @dsc59 (new trail #20)

So my coldest birthday ever… dinner out and cake with family and friends TBA

And thanks!! I do appreciate all those who remembered and called, sent me cards or online wishes. ❤ you all.

But I do have to add today one of my favorite memes:

• Sunday – Often, it’s a Mother’s Day 5k but today it was a Mother’s Day long run. I decided to taper and only run 8 miles. It was a really nice running weather day – at least in the morning… I was still thawing out from Saturday so overdressed a bit. I drove to the Nisky bike path and everyone must have been visiting their moms because it was practically empty.

shed my jacket early on and could have worn a skirt…but did wear a shirt from a previous Mother’s Day 5k

My post long run treat was a FREE birthday pastry from Paneras and a latte. I enjoyed both while walking around the Pine Hollow Arboretum.

I may be obsessed with flowers this year

We did do a drive by to wish my MIL Happy Mother’s Day. I planned on doing some more gardening but it clouded up, got colder and windier….

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – rest day, walk
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday – run (un-canceled 5k)
• Thursday – rest day, tennis friends social distancing picnic, running friends ZOOM
• Friday – run, mah jongg (SS virtual 5K)
• Saturday –  rest day, walk
• Sunday – STEEL RAIL VIRTUAL HALF MARATHON

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?  How is this virus affecting you and your family? Are you having  hard time finding safe places to run? Are you running in places or are in a running route rut? Please share.

May 15 can’t come soon enough…but will it be even longer??

Otherwise things are the same. All social activities still cancelled. Missing my friends!! But keeping in touch via ZOOM.

Trying to get outdoors often so I do not go stir crazy in my Office (aka a room in my house). Always looking for new and interesting places to run or walk and practice social distancing.

So happy to read this – https://www.businessinsider.com/you-can-still-go-outside-while-quarantining-sheltering-in-place-2020-4 

I know many of you do not agree and are staying close to home and even staying indoors (having groceries delivered, eating only take-out, etc).   Everyone has different levels of comfort.

I am not sure I even enjoy Virtual Races but I keep signing up for them!?

trying to run one of these each week…

I’ve run the 5k and 10K and the 13.1 !!

some friends are trying to raise $$ for their NYCM charity and you get a really cool glass.(Runners and walkers complete any time between May 17th and May 31st.)

another free one

You will have between Saturday, May 23 at 6 a.m. and Sunday, May 31 at 11 p.m. to complete a 5K run by yourselves

It’s not too late.  You can still register the the Virtual FRW 5k until May 5 at  https://freihofersrun.com/virtual-5k/.  Use the code AMBSS5 and for $20, you will get:

• 42nd annual virtual Freihofer’s Run for Women t-shirt (you can even choose between two different colors) & bib
• A finisher’s certificate that can be printed out at home
• Commemorative finishers’ medal
• Coupons for Freihofer’s products
• Automatic entry into Virtual 5k Sweepstakes with great prizes!

The t-shirts, medals and coupons will be mailed to participants the first week in June.

Last Week –

• Monday – Another cold, windy rainy day. I was hoping to get out early for lunch but that didn’t happen (Darn work!) So instead of waiting until after work to do my run (in case it started raining harder), I squeezed one in at lunch instead of my walk.

yes, that’s a banana on the side of the road…it was raining but not too hard.

Then after work, it was still cold, windy and RAINING.  I planned to go for a walk but just couldn’t drag myself out the door. So unlike me 😦 Some days are like that.

• Tuesday – Hooray for a dry day. Still chilly and breezy but as I mentioned last week, I have a friend who is now only working 3 days a week and she has agreed to DRIVE to my house to walk with me on her off days.  So nice to have adult conversation with someone other than my hubby. (Now that is a good friend.)

The sun was shining and now near 60 degrees after work so I was anxious to get out there. I decided to actually run a 10k at the Corning Bike Path.

It felt hard…well all my runs feel hard these days… but at least it was skirt weather. Wearing purple to summon up the courage to finish this run.

• Wednesday – Ok, another dry day (before 3 days of predicted rain). I couldn’t wait to get outside for my lunch walk. I quickly drove to one of the closest preserves. (Where I go depends on my afternoon work schedule and how long I have for a break.) Although it was the same temps as yesterday, it was windy and cloudy so felt chilly.  Still enjoyed this time away from my desk immensely.

discovered some new flowers and that someone moved the painted rock

I didn’t really feel like running 3 days in a row but in the NE during April, if it’s not raining, you go for it. I decided to go to Washington Park to check the progress of the tulips. Guess what? I forgot my phone. Please believe me without photos that a 2.5 mile run took place and that the tulips are about a week away.

last week’s pic – same exact route but zero sun today and more wind.

• Thursday – Yup, rain in the morning. Fingers crossed that it wouldn’t rain or rain hard all day long. Even on a rest day, I do like to go for a walk or two. It was pouring at lunchtime so walking was a no go. After work, it had stopped but was insanely windy. Still I needed to escape my house and continue on my quest to explore new places. The Stevens Farm Trail was different than the other preserves. It wasn’t really a well marked loop but it was very interesting. There were empty farm buildings dating back to the 1800’s, a K-9 training unit, a llama farm, a closed very old metal bridge and of course, a muddy trail along the creek.

Isn’t the llama cute? I wanted pet her but the owner said that she was a spitter so… NOPE!

Thursday nights are our weekly running group’s ZOOM night.  I’m not sure if we even talk about running lol.

• Friday – Day 4 this week with clouds.  Rain was predicted for the afternoon so I was hoping for a lunch walk (although my work schedule would make this one a tight squeeze.) Never believe your weather app, it was pouring around lunch time.  Since it wasn’t that cold or windy, I decided to take that walk in my neighborhood.  Wrong choice.  Even with an umbrella and raincoat, I got soaked!!!

should have stayed home

It was still pouring when I finished work. Only water, right? So I grabbed my umbrella again and drove to Washington Park. The trails would be too muddy and I figured no one else would be there taking photos of the tulips in the rain. Well, I wasn’t alone (other crazy camera buffs like me) and eventually the rain did stop for a few minutes. Most of the tulips have not bloomed but I was treated to some early bloomers.  Definitely worth the trip.

• Saturday – Long Run Saturday. I was tired and tempted to sleep in but I like to get my LSD out of the way and enjoy the weekend.

12 miles was on my plan as prep for my Steel Rail Virtual Half Marathon. It’s always a challenge on where to go.  I don’t like to run in the same places. And of course, most runners abstain from running on crowded paths. This doesn’t bother me so I drove to Zim Smith. I ran the opposite way from what I normally do just for a change.

and then I walked 1.1 miles so it would count as a half marathon

Of course on a nice day, there were walkers and bikers.  Everyone was cautious, polite and friendly. And for my post run I was hoping for a treat from Leah’s. They were closed so I had to settle for extra thick milkshake from Stewart’s.

I spent the rest of the afternoon pulling weeds until our our 3rd ZOOM Blogger Coffee Date. As with the others, it was so fun to connect with everyone.

• Sunday – Another dry day.  Not as sunny as yesterday but warm. I was excited to take a long walk on another preserve or two, do my weekly grocery shopping and even get in some more yard work.

loved this place but sooo muddy

a short unmarked trail

Today my tennis friends and I would have been in Naples, Fla. We always get together one night during this trip to discuss a book that we have all read in advance.  So instead, we used ZOOM tonight for our book chat.  We all read the mystery The Turn of the Key.

we starting out discussing the book and then kept talking and talking and talking…

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday – rest day, walk
• Thursday – run, ZOOM running group chat
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg walk
• Saturday – LONG RUN, MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!
• Sunday – rest day, walk, Mother’s Day

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?  How is this virus affecting you and your family? Are you having  hard time finding safe places to run? Are you running in new places or are in a running route rut?  Are you having nice spring weather?  How many VIRTUAL races have you signed up for? Please share.