Quite a busy two weeks. First, I went to Bermuda with Cari for a vacation and a race or two. Then I ended the next week with a trip to Montreal with a friend.

Good thing, I had a passport already.

Last Two Weeks –

• Monday – Lunch time chair yoga (the last one). I wish these classes would continue weekly.

yeah…I could do these on my own…but I won’t… I’m a NEED A CLASS kind of person

An after work run was planned…the weather did not cooperate all day (snow/rain/sleet) but stopped by time I went out to run. My friend Chris had to work late so I ran one loop and she joined me for the second.

drizzled for my first painful loop…felt better on the 2nd. Fairly comfortable temps (almost 40) so that is a win. 

• Tuesday –  A before work PT visit. My last one before my next half marathon. More scraping, prodding and listening to me whine and complain.

A rest day due to a hair appointment and needing to pack for my trip.

• Wednesday – Early morning train to NYC.  I got there very early so took a stroll around Manhattan.

FYI: free bag check in Macys across from Penn Sta.

Then I took the LIRR from Penn Sta. to Jamaica where I took the air train to meet Cari at JFK for our evening flight to Bermuda.

We eventually arrived late that evening and took a shuttle to our hotel.

We discovered on that long shuttle ride that Bermuda is indeed hilly and that there are NO straight roads.

• Thursday – I hadn’t run in a few days and I was anxious to get out there…and run in a skirt!!

But finding a place to run was no easy task. First we headed to Horseshoe Beach.

skirt weather..woo hoo!

Then along a railway trail that eventually led to Gibbs Lighthouse where we climbed to the top.

only 192 steps to the top

All that walking exhausted us so we spent the afternoon relaxing at the hotel pool

breezy and 70 degrees…warm enough for the heated pool and hot tub

before we took a bus to the Royal Naval Dockyard for dinner.

strolled the area and then ate at the Frog & Onion Pub

• Friday – Since there was very little running the day before, we decided to attempt a run on the hotel golf course. Nope, hillier than the winding roads. But there was little time for exploring so we squeezed in a short one around the hotel grounds.

views were awesome …not the hills

After our run, we took the ferry (with some other runners) to spend the day in Hamilton. We explored the shops, streets and had a lovely lunch.

even found ibuprofen gel in a pharmacy (not sold in the US)

Then we took the bus back to the hotel. There was just enough time for a brief visit to the pool and meet up with friend and fellow blogger Marcia.

That evening was packet pick up and ZOOMA welcome party. Swag, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and new friends. So fun.

• Saturday – A busy day planned and our only miserable cold, windy, rainy day. ZOOMA organized a trip to explore Crystal and Fantasy Caves. They were amazing. And so was lunch at the Swizzle Inn.

these pics don’t do it justice…you have to see them in person.

In the evening, we had our first race.  The ZOOMA Lighthouse Run.  It was still cold, windy and raining. Marcia, Cari and I decided to walk the 1.5 miles. We were soaked but arrived at Horseshoe Beach smiling.

yup, Cari & I accidentally twinned.

• Sunday – The big day!!  An early bus ride to the start and then the ZOOMA Bermuda Half Marathon.  Both Cari and I were just running it to enjoy the scenery and collect our medal at the finish line.  I knew that my foot would hurt but I knew I could do it in pain. The course was breathtaking with hills and curvy roads open to traffic. It rained for one of the early miles and then the sun came out and the humidity rose. It was tough. No lie. But such a well run race. Everyone had a great time and we made so many new friends. The Pacers from OnPace rocked!

no race is complete without goofy medal pix on the beach

After the race, we had thought of visiting the town of St. Georges. Our legs and feet thought the pool and hot tub were a better idea.

In the evening we walked (ouch) to Henry VIII for a celebration dinner and thankfully took a taxi back to the hotel.

• Monday – An early wake up to catch the shuttle to the airport to fly home to JFK and then I had to take the air train to the LIRR and a train back home!!

Exhausted but happy with my decision to race in Bermuda (even if it was off season.) Definitely would love to go back sometime.

• Tuesday – Back to normal.  Work. Grey skies, cold temps, snow/rain. I decided to skip the after work run and ride the bike at the gym.

It was also National Drink Wine Day so of course, I had to…I met a friend for a glass of red.

• Wednesday – Early morning visit to PT.  I complained that my foot hurt just as much during my race as before I started seeing her. She recommended that I see another foot doctor.  Luckily I got an appt for that same afternoon. She gave me B12/cortisone shot, added a metatarsal pad and wrapped my feet. We talked about all the options (most of which are NOT covered by insurance.)

not my foot lol

Afterward, I wanted to go for a run. My friend Chris was sick so I had to run solo. Boo!!

windy but sunny…not much pain…but too soon to tell…

After the run, I met my BFF for a walk around the mall.

• Thursday – Back to running after work in my usual location – UAlbany with Chris. Teens with the windchill…brrrrr!

Chris was ok but I forgot my hat, gloves, jacket…had to make due with what I had in my trunk

• Friday – Lunchtime walk and after work gym biking before mah jongg.
• Saturday – Montreal trip instead of my long run with the Sole Sisters. Yes, my friend and I decided to drive there because I wanted to see the interactive Van Gogh exhibit.

We left at 6:30 am and after a 3.5 hour drive, we checked into our hotel and walked to the exhibit. A much longer walk than I thought but the weather was beautiful and the exhibit amazing. 200 paintings on moving screens choreographed to music. So worth the drive!!!

No running today but 8.5 miles on the feet as we also walked to the Old City to have a delicious French dinner.

• Sunday – I got up early to do my run…supposed to be 11 miles. The weather was even better than the day before. I ran to the river and along it. I could have run forever but my friend was waiting in the hotel. Only got in 4.5 miles.

Afterward we walked around town and went to the Barbie Expo (yes over 1000 Barbies in costume). Then we had another delicious French meal before we checked out of our hotel.

On the way out of the city, we drove up to Mont Royal to catch the views.

So lucky that the weather cooperated. Might have been the nicest we’ve had this winter.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – AM PT, run
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday – rest day, gym
• Thursday – run 
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg chez moi
• Saturday – Long Run
• Sunday – rest 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/racing going? Have you been to Bermuda? Have you run a ZOOMA race? What’s new with you? Please share.

A very busy work week, and 2 PT visits, a tennis dinner and race thrown in the mix. Plus it was supposedly my peak training week for my next half marathon…

Last Week –

• Monday – My second lunchtime Chair Yoga session…super relaxing and actually fun.

After work, I went to PT again.  I explained that the pain during the run seemed to be a little better but the next day, it hurt more than usual.  She did more of the same as in previous sessions. The Laser machine was busy so we postponed it.

Afterward, I went to a short town run to test out yet another pair of new shoes (I returned the Altras.)

pretty discouraging run as my foot hurt a lot for the first 2 miles…

• Tuesday – Since I would be busy on Wednesday, I ran for the 2nd day in a row (which I normally hesitate to do.) I had Chris for company and we ran one loop at UAlbany. Not a stellar effort for either of us but we got it done and my foot did not hurt as much as the previous day.

• Wednesday – Rest day and another PT session. More of the same. She is trying to fix me. Ha ha.

I stopped off at the gym on my way home but no unoccupied bikes so I left.

• Thursday – A long work day and another UAlbany run. Solo. Chris could not make it. Still painful which I realized makes me not want to run. Good thing it was a loop and I had get back to my car.

After the run, I met some tennis friends for dinner. Always an enjoyable event.

News of the day: At noon registration for NYC marathon opened. I had a qualifying time. I hesitated and hesitated. Nope. I didn’t pull the trigger and the timed entries closed in about 20 min.

No marathon for me. I think I’m relieved.

• Friday – Long work day and mah jongg evening. Squeezed in a short stationary bike ride in between.
• Saturday – Polar Cap Race, a 4 miler that is hilly and always super COLD.  It was also the FIRST time that I’ve run this race without my friend Andrea (who died last week.) For the first time, the weather was pretty nice.  They had a moment of silence for Andrea and dedicated the race to her.  I was pretty emotional. But I tackled the hills with lots of foot pain and even won an age group award.

Afterward I dragged my sore foot 5 or so more miles while checking out the Lake George Winter Carnival.

• Sunday – I was planning on doing the Winter Series #5, a free local race. But after all that foot pain the day before, I didn’t want to repeat the experience. Instead, I rode the bike at the gym, did some errands and went to the movies.

really enjoyed this!!!!

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – PT, run 
• Tuesday –  run
• Wednesday – rest day, PT, work webinar
• Thursday – rest day, museum activities, dinner out with tennis friends
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run with Sole Sisters (8-10 miles), yoga
• Sunday – rest 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? Anyone training yet for a 2020 race? Who’s joining me in Bermuda?  Anyone sign up for the NYC Marathon lottery (It opened this week.) What’s new with you? Please share.

Back from my weekend in NYC and my first long race of 2020…and now training for my next in a month, a race-cation in Bermuda!!

Last Week –

• Monday – MLK Holiday so a day off from work… and recuperating from the weekend!! Also I went for an evaluation at PT to try and get rid on my annoying foot pain. She says it is nerve impingement (not necessarily a neuroma) caused by my tight right ankle muscles and poor posture (especially being on the computer all day.) She scraped, massaged, rubbed on CBD oil, used electronic stimulation and gave me exercises to strengthen my quads. We’ll see… Fingers crossed.

• Tuesday – My legs felt great but it was cold and I decided to postpone my run and ride the bike at the gym instead.

Afterward I met my BFF for a walk around the mall. Unfortunately I returned home to news that my good friend had lost her battle with cancer.

@andyjha – you will be greatly missed as a runner, biker, triathlete, teacher, photographer, lover of coffee, lighthouses, covered bridges and mostly as a friend

• Wednesday – Back to PT. Similar experience to Monday (but no CBD oil). She also worked on my calf.  Next Monday, she is going to try using the laser treatment.

not my foot lol

Since I had not run since Sunday, I decided to test out the foot. Unfortunately, my favorite path was snow-covered so I ran on the roads alongside it.

foot still sore at the beginning but pretty painless after awhile (but only a short run so I am not saying that it’s any better…yet)

• Thursday – Another run day. This time at UAlbany with Chris. It is so much easier when you have company. We chatted the whole time.

• Friday – Rest Day…and then mah jongg in the evening,
• Saturday – Long Run Day with my Sole Sisters (although many of them were in FL or busy). Very happy to find the path at the Crossings clear. Managed to get 11 miles in and brunch before the rain started.

ran 7 out of 11 with Sherry (not pictured)

That evening the hubby & I went out to a fancy dinner to finally celebrate our anniversary. (Sorry no pix.)

• Sunday – Rest day…catch up day around the house..lots of errands.

I am weak…

I managed to do some biking at the gym and went for a walk on the local trail.

rain washed away the snow but it was still too slushy and icy to run on…like my new shoes? (I returned the Altras and bought Brooks Ghost.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – PT, run (Delmar)
• Tuesday –  run (UAlbany)
• Wednesday – rest day, PT
• Thursday – run (UAlbany), dinner with tennis friends
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Polar Cap Race (4m) + 8m??? OR
• Sunday – Winter Series #5 (4.5m or 10m)?? – depends on what I run on Saturday

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? Anyone training yet for their first 2020 race? Who’s joining me in Bermuda? What’s new with you? Please share.

After two weeks of sleeping in my own bed, I was back on road… At least, It was to NYC, my favorite place to travel to. The last time I was there, I was nursing a sore foot and did not run at all. This time, I ran even with my sore foot.

Last Week –

• Monday – Took the train to NYC for work.

sock done…finally

After I arrived, I went to/from Queens. I had planned on my way back to stop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Since it closes at 5:30 pm, this was the only day that I could squeeze in a visit. But instead I decided to rest my foot and go back to my hotel to ride the bike.

Afterward I took the subway to meet Cari and we walked to Elizabeth’s who made dinner for us. Always fun to catch up with my BRFs and fellow Skirt Sports ambassadors.

they are one of the reasons why I enjoy working in NYC

• Tuesday – After work today, I quickly changed into running clothes and headed to the Hudson River to go for a run. Decided to run on the High Line. Unfortunately parts of the run felt good but on the whole, the foot (after standing on it for 8 hours) felt worse after than in previous runs. It led me to reconsider this running in pain thing.

• Wednesday – Since I am trying to rest my foot and not run everyday, instead after work, I took in a show. I thought about Jagged Little Pill but instead chose Rock of Ages. Very corny but at least the tix were not expensive.

And I also finally got my MRI diagnosis. Foot looks perfectly normal. No sign of anything wrong. Yet it hurts like hell. Plan to pursue the cortisone shot and consult a PT.

• Thursday – Today after work, I took the subway to Columbus Circle and met Cari to run in Central Park. After Tuesday, I wasn’t sure I would run and how much. But we made it through 3 miles. The pain seemed more bearable and the company great.

Afterward we did some shopping at Jack Rabbit.

wide toe box and bargain price 🙂

• Friday – Another rest day, since I had to catch the train home after work.
• Saturday – Long run scheduled with the Sole Sisters. It was warmer than usual (in the 60s!!!) and the rain held off. I ran the first few miles with Barbara and the rest with Sherry. Afterwards, we all met for brunch…of course.

yes, my foot hurt but the weather and the company made the pain bearable…next week, NYC????

In the the afternoon, I attended my 3rd Yoga for Runners class. The topic this month was

• Sunday – 65 degrees!!! Many of my friends were running the Winter Series #3 Race.  The weather and FOMO led me to join them.   I mostly walked with some run intervals thrown in.

the course was short…only 2.5 miles

After the race, we met our other friends for a farewell brunch. (A few are heading to winter in FL.)

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run (Ualbany)
• Tuesday –  rest day, hair appt.
• Wednesday – run (Delmar)
• Thursday – run (UAlbany)
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – rest day, bus to NYC, blogger meetup, pizza in Brooklyn
• Sunday – Fred Lebow Half Marathon, lunch, bus home

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 you experiencing global warming where you live? Ever walk a race? Anyone suffering from undiagnosable injuries?What’s new with you? Please share.

Christmas and Chanukah…nice when they both fall during the same week … since I celebrate both holidays LOL

and I have two cats

And yes, I have been running. Yes, my foot still hurts but not worse and it was better than sitting on my butt eating holiday treats.

Last Week –

• Monday – Finally a warmish sunny day but of course, it was a Rest Day.  A long awaited chiropractor appointment.  I was on only maintenance so I do not visit her often but I was interested in what she could do with my sore foot. She did some work but agreed with me that it may be a neuroma and then I would need an MRI. Afterward I headed to the gym for an hour on the bike.

my exciting view

• Tuesday – Christmas Eve run…what else? Since I DNSed on the Last Run 5k through the lights in the park, I decided to run it on my own. The lights go on before they allow cars in…just enough time for me.

• Wednesday – Day Off and I started it with a run… I knew I would be eating a lot later in the day and not able to run the following two days. Since it was daylight, I decided to see if the Corning Bike Path was clear…

and it was…

The run was followed by a big dinner with the family.

• Thursday – Rest Day. Re-scheduled BFF birthday celebration. First we had dinner.

salmon topped latkes – yum!

And then we went to the movies.

one of my favorite childhood books

• Friday – Another rest day as I had to rush home because I was hosting mah jongg at my home.
• Saturday – Long run scheduled with the Sole Sisters. As usual, we all ran different distances but met afterward for brunch.

Rose Marie & I were French teachers at the same time…nice to reminisce. Helped keep my mind off my foot pain. Again bearable and got better the longer I ran.

Evening holiday tennis party. Lots of eating, gift giving, singing and laughing.

• Sunday – With the upcoming weather forecast for the next few days, I considered another run but I didn’t want to press my luck with the foot so I rode the bike at the gym instead.

free gym…getting more use than usual

And then I went to a local museum.

I’ve been Hamilton-obsessed lately. This exhibit on the Schuyler sisters (the family spent a lot of time in Albany, NY) ended today. I also passed by the Schuyler mansion where they lived on my way to errands.

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – run 
• Tuesday –  rest day
• Wednesday – Winter Series #2 race (3.5 miles)
• Thursday – run
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – long run with Sole Sisters (8 miles), yoga
• Sunday – rest 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? What’s new with you? How did you spend your holiday? Have you seen Hamilton? Do you sometimes have to ignore injuries and run anyway? Please share.

Traveling for work and still nursing a sore foot…but taking it on the road as well.

Last Week –

• Monday – After a drive to Westchester and set up, I headed to the hotel gym.

run/walked a mile on the tm followed by 45 min on the bike

• Tuesday – Messy commute to work and home…snow, freezing, rain …UGH!! And standing all day made my foot ache. 😦
• Wednesday – Back home but just for the day.

Cold and snowy but had to venture out on the Ualbany loop.

Holy wind, Batman!

• Thursday – Back driving down to Westchester and back at the hotel gym.

exercising with the smell of chlorine

• Friday – Very long day and long drive home. No miles, just long hours of standing and driving.

• Saturday – Long run scheduled with the Sole Sisters. We woke up to single digits and only Barbara & I were game. We headed to The Crossings but it was too icy so we returned to my stomping grounds – UAlbany.  With no wind, it actually was rather comfortable out there.  Glad I didn’t wimp out.

Christmas dinner with my stepson and his wife.

• Sunday – Slightly warmer temps this morning and since I was busy the next day, I decided to get a few more miles in before the end of the year. Luckily I had the company of two friends.

my cat didn’t come but he’s cute and loves the cold

I had to rush home for my Re-scheduled birthday painting with my mentee.

this year for a change, we painted wine glasses

First night of Chanukah…time to light the menorah and then out to whine..I mean wine with a friend.,

to all those who celebrate

This Coming Week – 

• Monday – rest day
• Tuesday –  run 
• Wednesday – day off, run, holiday dinner
• Thursday – rest day, b-day dinner with BFF
• Friday – rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – long run with Sole Sisters (6 miles), holiday party
• Sunday – rest 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? What’s new with you? Have you started celebrating the holidays? Have you had to work off those holiday parties and/or cookies?  What about potential injury? Do you ignore it and run? Please share.