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Weekly Run Down for 6.8.20-6.14.20: Same old, Same old

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)!!

Un-canceled Project - Run The Edge Store

this past week was PERSEVERANCE Un-Canceled

Certificate

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.

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Taking the Challenge

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

My Topic today is: Run/Walk Across a State Challenge.

When there aren’t any races, there are so many reasons to run a virtual race or sign up for a virtual challenge.  One of the popular ones is running or walking across a state.  I’m not sure if every state has this challenge but I know that the larger ones such as IL, NY and TN do.

What’s neat is that you do not have to live in the state to sign up for the challenge.

It started on May 15 and lasts until August 31. There are different distances that you can sign up for depending on how many miles or kms you want to complete.

Don’t worry if you haven’t sign up yet.  You have until July 5!! And you can enter your miles retroactively.

Originally I signed up for the Across NYS 500K (Thruway Challenge).

Then I realized that if I added my walking miles, I would be finished too soon so I changed to the 1000k option.  That’s 6 miles a day!! Yikes 🙂

Certificate

But here are my five reasons to sign up for this challenge (before July 5):

1.It’s Virtual

In other words, you can do your miles at any time and any place. You can fit your miles into your work schedule.  You can run or walk when the weather conditions are more favorable.

hot morning run

2.Keeps You Motivated.

You enter your miles onto the website.  You track them.  You see your progress and you can see how others are doing, as well (for those competitive people).

as of 6/9 – I’ve got a lot of work to do!!

Also when we pay for something, we are more likely to participate, right?

3. You Can be Part of a Team.

When you sign up you can choose a team.  Then you can track the team’s progress and ranking.

I’m on a team of 11 (SoleSisters).

there are 853 teams!!!!!!!! (as of 6/10)

4.You Can Walk.

Not everyone wants the pressure of running a lot of miles especially in the summertime.  Or you may even be recovering from an injury.

This challenge allows you record walking miles.  You don’t have to link up to a tracking device.  It’s on the honor system.

In fact, more of my miles are walking/hiking miles than running ones.

just a walk on a trail

5.Support an Important Charity

The donations and a portion of the proceeds of the challenge benefit Covid-19 Relief in Your State:

Image

Direct Relief works in the U.S. and internationally to equip doctors and nurses with life-saving medical resources to care for the world’s most vulnerable people.

One more:

6.Swag

One of a kind shirts and gaiters (face coverings) will be sent to ALL participants. Medals will be awarded to those that cross the VIRTUAL FINISH LINE!

Happy Running! Have you signed up for this or any other virtual challenge? Please share.

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It’s All About That Base

Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)

My Topic today is: Double Digit Long Runs

Ok, so there are NO races.

Time to slow down, right? Run fewer miles. Take it easy.

Yes, if you are injured.

But, NO, not necessarily.

Here’s why it’s good to run at least 10 miles on the weekend:

  • You’ve got the time.

No social events. Not much else to do.  Can’t say that you are too busy.

Printable Blank Calendar Templates

EMPTY!!

  • Burn off those extra pounds/calories.

Working from home does get you sitting around more.  No evening social events may have you watching more TV.

Let’s not forget it’s summer….ICE CREAM!!

  • Virtual Races and Challenges.

No races but there are still things to sign up for.  These long runs will help you meet your mileage/step quota.

Certificate

  • What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger

It’s cliche but we all know it’s true.

Yes, your legs will thank you (when you’re done.)

  • More Miles = Less Speed

If you run longer, you’ll worry less about pace.

All you have to worry about is finishing…

Does he look stressed about his 13 m/m pace?

  • It’s All About That Base.

Races will happen eventually. Not sure when.

Maybe some of you will get to run one this fall.

No one likes to start all over.

And with 10 miles under your belt, you CAN even run a half marathon.

I’m  also linking up here:

Formerly the Running Coaches’ Corner, it’s back with new co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Running on Happy, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Fauxrunner.

Happy Running! Are you still doing your long runs? How long? Please share.

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Weekly Run Down for 6.1.20-6.7.20: The Latest New Normal

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.)

Un-canceled Project - Run The Edge Store

this past week was COMMUNITY Un-Canceled

Certificate

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.

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Ultimate Coffee Date for June

It’s that time of the month…

to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

1.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I ran my LAST virtual half marathon.

I had already signed up the real half marathons in March, April and May. But as you know, they were all cancelled.

I would be getting the swag so I felt like I should actually run them. I did not race them but just ran/walked that distance alone on three different routes.

I am DONE. I hope the next half marathon is a REAL one.

Did you run any long races that were cancelled virtually?

2.Over coffee…

I’d tell you before I was working from home, I would run after work for 3 miles.  Some days I did not run at all.

Now being at home everyday, I have been on most days running before work, walking at lunch and then hiking after work.

So I have gone from 0-3 miles a day to 6-10 miles a day.

Of course that will end…mostly likely when I return to the office in the fall.

Have you increased your mileage during the pandemic?  

3.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I have started seeing my friends. After 10 weeks of self-isolation, we have decided to see each other…safely, of course.

Have you relaxed your social distancing yet?

4.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I mentioned that I finally got a shot for my painful foot.  The pain went away immediately.  Though it appears that it does rear its ugly head from time to time. Still!!

like here between miles 4 and 7

Anyone else experience intermittent pains?

5.Over coffee…

I’d tell you that there’s no shame in walking. To prove it, I had one of my slowest 5ks and even posted my time.

I believe this race last year may have been the last time that I ran FAST.  After that, there was marathon training, foot pain, then pandemic.

27:47 – FRW 2019

Do you RACE your virtual races? Have you lost speed by not racing?

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
runner-sig

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Goals 2020 Update

Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)

My Topic today is: GOALS 2020

If you read my blog, you may remember that my goal for 2020 was to run ONE half marathon EACH MONTH.

I actually ran January and February’s races.

Then this pandemic!! My March’s was cancelled and April and May’s have been postponed. I actually did not sign up for one in June. All were completed as virtual races (completed is a loose term meaning I did the distance.)

I decided to add a new goal in April:

Visit ALL the LOCAL 25 NEW NATURE TRAILS.

There are many nature preserves just in my local area.  So far, I have visited 21.

In addition to these preserves, there are many parks with trails, waterfalls, arboretums, and nature sanctuaries.  Plenty to choose from. I have visited 10 already.

Definitely one of the positives that has come out of the pandemic.  Normally I would be training and running with friends. For my job, I would be traveling.

I discovered places that were nearby and many of them have many trails so they were visited more than once.

And It’s only June 1 and I’ve already surpassed my Nature Trail goal. We are still in the midst of a pandemic.

Let’s see how many I can visit before the end of 2020!!!! 50??

I want to re-visit the early ones because of the increased greenery and of course, again the fall to see all the autumn colors.

You should follow me and view the gazillion pics through my IG posts (@dsc59).

The Best Nature Quotes (Here Are 450 Of The Most Beautiful)

I’m  also linking up here:

Formerly the Running Coaches’ Corner, it’s back with new co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Running on Happy, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Fauxrunner.

Happy Running! Anyone else getting outdoors more now? Have you changed your original 2020 running/fitness goal? Please share. 

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Weekly Run Down for 5.25.20-5.31.20: Summer has arrived early…

Still working from home.  No word on when I will not be.

I also realized that my wifi works on my deck so I can do some work outdoors.  However, I cannot teach my webex training classes there since I need 2 monitors and quiet (Darn noisy birds!!)

I just bought an umbrella so I am excited for next week.

Trying to get outdoors often.  Always looking for new and interesting places to run or walk and practice social distancing. I added SIX more places to my list.

Un-canceled Project - Run The Edge Store

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

Continuing to run/walk 500k until Aug 31.

And yes, it snowed a few weeks ago but this past week, the temps reached 90 degrees!!!!!!!!

Last Week –

  • Monday – Three Day Weekend. The Best.

I started the day off with a hike.  I intended to go to Keleher Preserve but passed Hannacrox Ravine Preserve first and decided to go there instead. It was a lovely place to go. I stopped when I reached the creek rather than crossing it to do a loop because I needed to get home.

yes I tried to dress patriotic

We hesitated going back up to the lake because it seemed cloudy and breezy.  Boy, am I glad we changed out minds. It was a lovely day. We docked at a new island (Long Island) and I was able to hike the length of it. We had lunch and I finished a book. For dinner, we did our first “dock n dine.” (You dock at the restaurant, they bring out your dinner and you eat on your boat. The new normal.)

I celebrated Memorial Day with a Bloody Mary.

  • Tuesday – I decided last week on days that I don’t train first thing, I would get up earlier and walk or run before work.  So today I ran.  It was lovely.

Unfortunately, I have to run in my neighborhood if I run before work but I made the best of it by concentrating on taking flower pics.

a slow but joyful run in these wonderful summer temps

So for my lunch walk, I took to the water line.

I was surprised how high the grass was and how many new wildflowers there were. I changed to a tank (as it was pretty steamy) and to knee socks (to ward off bugs and ticks.)

Then after work, since my run was already done, I could take off and explore. I headed back to Keleher Preserve where I planned to go on Monday.  There were many looped trails. I wanted to get to the overlook but not spend too much time. It was warm and muggy but not bad in the higher elevation and in the shade of the tall trees.

the view was much better than it looked in the pic. I followed the white trail to the blue, to the red then back to the white, the orange and then the white again..  yes, I had a map.

  • Wednesday – I got up early but not to run since I would not have time to shower. But when I looked at the weather forecast for the day, I decided that sweaty or not, I should squeeze a pre-work run in my neighborhood.

The never miss a flower run

At lunch, I drove to the park trail for different scenery.

Looks different from my last visit…trees with leaves and no more mud

The same as Tuesday – With my run and walk already done, hiking on a new trail was on my after work agenda. I hesitated going to Bennett Hill Preserve because many people posted that they saw snakes. (I HATE snakes.) But it was very warm and I knew like yesterday that the trees and the higher elevation would make it a perfect hike to choose.  I was right. Loved it.  NO SNAKES.  All uphill on the way out (but gradual), then a loop to see the view and then back down.

yes, that’s a tub with running water and there were lots of painted rocks too.

  • Thursday – A busy work day so it called for just walking and no running.  That also meant staying in the neighborhood.

My morning walk was pretty short but at least I got it done.

no more tulips so now you’ll see Irises (not mine)

My lunch walk had to be brief, as well.  This will be a low step day.

purple may be my favorite color lol

Thursday has been designated Tennis meet up day.  My friends play tennis and then I join them in the park for dinner.

Then I rushed home for a ZOOM chat with my running friends.  This week, we tried instead using a Facebook Room.

My college friends prefer it to ZOOM. My running friends, I guess, had some technical difficulties. ???

  • Friday – The rain that was supposed to come yesterday still hadn’t arrived but boy was it humid!  I started the day with a quick neighborhood walk.

no flower pics just rocks 🙂

I had more time to walk at lunch so I drove to the nearby preserve. It’s amazing how much greener and drier it was than the last time I walked here.

I was hoping to get in one more hike this week. But we had a huge thunderstorm. I’ve never seen it rain so hard. I thought that I was done for the evening but it stopped. So I decided on a preserve that was a short loop and not too technical (since it would be muddy.)

nothing special about this one but it was nearby to Trader Joes

And it didn’t rain again until later that evening.

  • Saturday – Today was a little bittersweet. I was hoping to be running my favorite race for the 13th year in a row.  Instead I ran it virtually.

I ran it on the rail trail because I was meeting friends there later for a long run. The cool part of a virtual race was that I could run it with others that lived far away such as Debbie in VA, Kim in IA and Cari in NYC.

running friends are the best

When I was done, my local running friends arrived. Some ran shorter, some walked and some ran 7 miles with me (6 ft apart) but still we were able to chat. And of course afterwards, we had our social distanced brunch together.

the first long run in a long time that was actually fun

After some weeding in the garden, the weather was so perfect that I decided to go for another hike…my 4th this week.  I have a thing for waterfalls so that’s why I chose this one. The hike turned out longer because I took the wrong trail and since it has been so dry lately, the waterfalls were not as big as I hoped.  Still felt great to be outdoors. And I got back before the unexpected rain.

  • Sunday – The rain seemed to cool things down. We had planned to go boating but it was only in the 50s. The hubby nixed that idea.

I had to stop by Nisky bike path to pick up a glass for running a virtual 5k.  There were two preserves not far so I decided why not.

The first one was a not marked (but obvious) short out and back trail. Still pretty and sans other hikers.

I was actually chilly … tank yesterday, jacket today. Crazy!

When I arrived at the second one, the parking lot was full. But it was a larger preserve with 3 different trails.  Yes, there were people there but they were friendly and I’m kinda over this social distancing thing.

I did 2 of the 3 loops

I stopped on the way home to buy more plants and spent the rest of the day, planting and weeding. (Although I may take one more hike before dinner.)

This Coming Week – 

  • Monday – run
  • Tuesday –  rest day, college reunion ZOOM
  • Wednesday – run
  • Thursday – rest day, tennis friends dinner, 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.

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Runfessions for May

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I did not run at all on my birthday.  I usually run miles or kms to commemorate my new age but this was how I dressed that day:

this was May 9!! There was snow.

Do you usually celebrate your birthday with a run?

2. I runfess…

Once I experienced foot pain back in November, I ditched my favorite Mizunos and bought:

  • Altras (and returned them)
  • Brooks (and returned them)
  • Hokas (and returned them)
  • Another style of Hokas (would return them but FF is closed)

and then ordered the same Mizuno Wave Inspires as I had originally. (15s on the left and 16s on the right)

Shoe Review: Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 | Fleet Feet

 

Did you try different shoes only to return to your originals?

3.I runfess…

I pay attention to matching my clothes but otherwise I’m pretty lax about things.  I have even worn new items in a race.

During my April Virtual Half Marathon, I got blisters on my feet. I wore good socks but then I remembered the
Karrimor Anti Blister socks (bought on sale at EMS) that I have been wearing for long races even during my full marathon.

And so I started wearing them again. My feet still ached but NO blisters. D’uh.

Did you pay close attention to comfort or fashion when racing?

4. I runfess…

I lost a pair of my favorite compression calf sleeves 😦

I tracked them down to having worn them last August (the advantage of having a blog and posting lots of running pics.)

 

I wear them a lot in the summer because most of skirts have pink in them…grrrr

Maybe they’ll turn up. Stay tuned.

Do you lose or misplace running clothes items?

5.I runfess…

I’ve been running a lot of virtual races.  What else is there?

I only wear wear a watch when I run an actual race.  And since I don’t really consider them races and don’t actually “race” virtual ones, I haven’t been wearing a watch. To calculate distance I either run where I already know the distance or I start my Apple watch and run half the distance and turn it off at that point.

The problem is many of the companies that offer virtual races want you to post your finish time.

So what do I do?

I make up my time.  Since I do feel a little guilty, I post a very slow one (which actually may be accurate for the way I am running these days.)

Anyone else do this? Don’t report me to the racing Gods!

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

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Four Somethings for May

January 2018 Share Foru Somethings #ShareFourSomethings

Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month, Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, Something Read. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!

1. Something Loved.

This one is pretty obvious if you follow me on FB or IG.

FLOWERS!!

Someone mentioned to me that the flowering trees were even more beautiful this year.  i’m not sure if that is true but because I am walking more and running slowly, I know I have noticed them more.

3. Something Treasured.

FRIENDSHIPS.

I love my friends. But this pandemic has made me realize how important they are in my life.

Sure, ZOOM is great but not the same as seeing them the flesh.

And of  course, sitting 6 feet apart is not the same and being be to give a hug or a high five.

We will return to normal. Just have to be patient.

NOW:

THEN:

 

3. Something Read.

Caught (Coben novel).jpg

My co-worker lent me a whole bunch of mysteries. Most were so-so but I really enjoyed this one. I have always meant to read a book by this author.This one had so many subplots and twists and turns. I can’t wait to read anther one of his mysteries.

4. Something Ahead.

I always look forward in the summer to running with my friends and boating on Lake George.

Both will happen though obviously not in the same way as past years.

But thankful for the health of my friends and family. Not complaining.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

Formerly the Running Coaches’ Corner, it’s back with new co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Running on Happy, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Fauxrunner.

Happy Running! What are your somethings? Share at least ONE. 

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Weekly Run Down for 5.18.20-5.24.20: Still no races in sight

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.

Un-canceled Project - Run The Edge Store

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.