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: What To Do When Your Races Are Cancelled
Another post about the pandemic! Sorry! It’s our New Normal.
1.Just Run for Fun.
No training plan!
Just run whenever you want. Wherever you feel like. And run as many miles as you feel comfortable with and at any PACE. Leave that watch home!!
2.Sign up for a Virtual Race.
There are so many offered.
Many are FREE!!
all distances and all at no cost
There are also ones that you pay for and it will support an important charity. They may even send you a shirt and/or medal.
for $20 you get a medal and shirt. use code AMBSS5 at freihofersrun.com
3.Find a New Way to Stay Active.
You had no time before because you were training for a race.
Why not try biking? Spinning? Yoga? Hiking?
4.Explore Locations where you’ve never been.
Again when you were training, you were looking for maybe flat routes and ones that allowed for a certain distance.
Now it is the time to explore places that may never be used for running. Those beautiful trails!!!
5. Stay Positive and Look Ahead. Plan for those Future Races.
Races scheduled for the fall may not work out because there will be so many re-scheduled races lumped together in the same month.
So look ahead to 2021.
next February in Florida!!!!
** One More.
Just run the races that have been cancelled as “unofficial” virtual races.
You just run the distance on any route you choose. Definitely is not the same but it will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Happy Running! Have you used any of the above? Any other suggestions that you can add about dealing with cancelled races? Please share.
Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)
My Topic today is: Pandemic Good News
It is so easy to think about how awful these times are for runners and everyone else.
Don’t kid yourself. It is bad. We cannot see our family and friends. We are stuck in our houses. People have lost their jobs and can’t support themselves and even worse, people are sick or dying.
So here are some good things to ponder (related to running):
More new runners. Some bloggers have mentioned that being cooped up in our homes has prompted an increased interest in becoming a runner. Kudos to anyone who has started running and I hope you continue even after this is over.
More Online Options for training, working out, yoga, etc.. ZOOM is free and easy to use. There’s FB live. There have been so many opportunities to remain active even if your gym or yoga studio is closed.
Connecting More with your Running Friends. One Thursday night, my running friends and I chatted for TWO hours via ZOOM. One mentioned that it was better than post run brunches when we only chat with the person next to or across from us. And when we run together, it’s often hard to chat.
Increased Participation in Virtual Races. There are so many out there. Some even send you a bib and a medal (and the fee often supports a charity). You don’t even have run an “official” virtual race. You can just pick a race and a distance and then run it.
a great one for April
Plus there are so many FREE ones, Why not??
Run the Edge – a different color each week and you can pic your distance – FREE!!
Increased Flexibility. Working from home may allow you more time to squeeze in a run, such as before work, during lunch or after work.
lunch run in the ‘hood
With everyone working from home, there is less traffic. This gives you the opportunity to seek out a new place to run.
drive to Colonie Town Park for an after work run
More Late Summer/Fall Race Opportunities. Many spring races have been postponed. There will be quite a selection to choose from. And you’re had all this time to train. LOL
August 29, 2020
This will end. And if we come out of it healthy, that’s the best thing ever.
Looking forward to seeing these smiling faces in person.
Still working at home (now at least until April 30) …
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).
and it’s over…maybe the first challenge I’ve EVER completed
So bored that I even signed up for one free month of NetFlix (not really a TV addict)
Any watch this? It enjoyed it. Next up is binge watching Schitt’s Creek.
and I am knitting again.
one done…I call them my quarantine socks.
But if there is a silver lining in this, it’s that running solo has motivated me to vary my running routes. I am running in different places each day. It’s easy to get in a rut and run in the old same, same old. Thanks to IG and FB, I have discovered some new routes to walk or run on. Plus there is usually traffic after work. Now with everyone working from home, I can drive to places that I normally would not.
Last Week –
Monday – Hooray for sunshine!!
Lunch walk on the trails near my house:
blue skies!!
Post work run: Trying to avoid crowds but not run on the roads… Decided to drive to The Crossings because they closed the park to cars.
windy and maybe a little early for the skirt but couldn’t wait…I parked at a nearby church and had almost all the trails to myself. 🙂
Tuesday – Sunshine two days in a row!!
First my lunch time walk:
different route everyday on this nearby trail
I had planned a rest day but rain was predicted for the next two or three days so run I did. Today I picked Washington Park in Albany.
found some signs of spring and not too many people
Wednesday – Sun has left for a few days. The morning rain had stopped so I was able to get in a walk during lunch
left, right, straight??
and a run after work. Today I decided to drive up to Colonie Town Park. Normally I would not since there would be too much traffic at this time of day. It was refreshing to check out the scenery in a different location (haven’t run here in ages.)
some bikers but not many but bumped into a running friend and we chatted for a long time (from a distance)
A little nostalgic as it was the first night of Passover and in past years I celebrated at a Seder with my mah jongg friends.
Thursday – A miserable weather day – pouring rain and WIND. Skipped my lunch walk and hoped to rain would end by 4 pm.
Declared it a rest day from running but did get in at least one walk. It was chilly and very windy and I almost bailed but I remembered a place that looked interesting from a friend’s IG post. (Pine Hollow Aboretum) Boy, am I glad I went…it was amazing – 22 acres, 11 ponds, trees from all over the world, trails galore.
can’t wait to go back when the trees are in bloom
And although we don’t currently run together, our running group is chatting virtually once a week:
Friday – Yes, another unseasonably cold, rainy, windy day. Since there was no rain at lunch time, I decided to search out a place to walk that would be shielded from that awful wind. (Elm Avenue Park Fit Trails)
the tall trees at the park did the trick & I even discovered a new path. will go back when I have more time to explore
Normally a rest day but no mah jongg this evening and a postponed long run so I decided why not run. I just drove to the Albany rail trail for a quick one since I needed to be home early for a ZOOM chat with my mah jongg friends.
holy wind…froze on the way out but warm on the way back
Miss my game night…not the same playing on the computer.
Saturday – One good thing about doing long runs alone is that if you change you mind, you don’t have to notify everyone else. The weather looked better for Sunday so today was my catch up day. Errands and boring stuff around the house including some gardening. It was cold and windy but later in the day, the sun came out and the wind calmed don so I decided to again explore a new location (suggested by my an IG friend.)
Tivoli Lake Preserve…what an interesting find. Definitely going back here.
Sunday – Long Run Saturday postponed to Sunday. Today was my taper for my unofficial virtual H2H Half Marathon. I decided on the Nisky Bike Path for this run. When I woke up, it was in the 20s.. and so I waited until it warmed up a bit (50s) Still a little breezy but warm enough for a skirt 🙂
I was a worried when I saw a lot of cars in the parking lot but they must have gone in the other direction since I saw very few people during my run.
I have run on this bike path many many times but have never ventured off the path and I today I did twice. Once to explore a 1 mile trail and again for a short time to take in the views.
another trail that I want to go back to when I am not running.
Unfortunately the restaurant where we usually have brunch was closed since it was Easter Sunday so I had to settle for a post run chocolate milkshake.
Yes I get to celebrate
BOTH…lol
This Coming Week –
Monday – rest day, walk
Tuesday – run
Wednesday –run or rest day, walk
Thursday – run
Friday – rest day, mah jongg walk
Saturday –VIRTUAL HELDERBERG TO HUDSON HALF MARATHON
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? Did you use ZOOM to celebrate Passover or Easter with your family? Please share.
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: How To Survive Running Alone.
Another post about the pandemic! Sorry!
I know that due to the social distancing requirement, you are running alone.
For some, it is perfectly natural. You usually run alone. You have posted that nothing has changed with your running (other than some races may have been cancelled.)
But for those of us who do enjoy the company of others when we run, here are some suggestions that may help you:
1.Plan Virtual Runs with your friends.
Pick a date and time together and run. Then afterward, text each other about the run and even send a picture.
2.Run a Virtual Race.
You can sign up for one and wear the bib or just run a race (unofficially). This gives your run a purpose.
3.Focus on Your Scenery.
In other words, run in a scenic location, forget about your watch and look around. Stop often and take pictures. Be grateful for the opportunity to be outdoors.
Five Rivers Environmental Center
Peebles Island State Park
4.Take Selfies.
Take those running goofy shots and even try jumping. Post them or send them to friends.
I have run the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k every year since I started running. It is obviously my FAVORITE race and I have never missed one – in all weather conditions, recovering from ankle surgery and even with a broken foot.
I have run this race (FRW) 12 times!!
FRW 2019
FRW 2008
FRW 2012
And this year, I was named an ambassador!!
Well, I guess 13 is an unlucky number.
This year, the race has been cancelled!! 😦 😦
The Good News:
The Freihofer’s Run for Women has switched to a virtual 5k run for 2020.
That means that YOU do not have to travel to Albany, NY to run this race.
You can run the 5k no matter where you live!!
For only $25 or $20 with the code AMBSS5, you will receive:
42nd annual virtual Freihofer’s Run for Women t-shirt & 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.
You will be getting exercise and supporting some great charities.
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!
Oops I’m a little late…
1. Something Loved.
My Visit to Montreal. NYC is my favorite city. I used to take my students (as I was a French teacher) to Montreal often years ago. I also ran a race there a few years ago.
But this time, I went with a friend as a spur of the moment weekend get away.
We explored the city. I ran, of course. We attended the interactive Van Gogh exhibit (the highlight of the trip) as well as the Barbie expo (1000 Barbies all in one place.) We ate some delicious French meals and drove to the top of Mont Royal.
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Have you been to Montreal lately? If so, what did you do there?
2. Something Said.
3. Something Learned.
I cannot retire yet.
I hate staying home day after day and I love being around people and having a schedule.
I even miss wearing nice clothes and makeup.
my office with only my cat to talk to
Do you enjoy staying at home? What do miss when you are forced to stay home?
4. Something Read.
I recently finished reading this book.
The best-selling author of Born to Run, Chris McDougall agreed to take in a donkey from an animal hoarder after he and his family moved from Philadelphia to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. In order to heal this neglected donkey, Chris had to give it a job which turned out to be running and competing in a race. A lot could go wrong and did.
I didn’t love it as much as I expected. It was drawn out and too much back story. Not as much about running as I had hoped.
That being said, it was interesting and at times, heart-warming. So I would still recommend reading it yourself.
Have you read this book? If so, what did you think?
Still working at home (at least until April 15) … 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).
I am grateful for having a full time job, paycheck and being healthy.
That being said, I have be sensitive to the fact that even if the above is true, many of you are struggling with:
homeschooling your children
not seeing your family and friends
working from home
not going out to restaurants, movies, shows, sporting events…
running alone
cancelled races
closed gyms
unhealthy snacking
Your friends may say they are ok but make sure that they are and give them support (even if nothing has changed much for YOU!!)
We are in this together!
everyone participating? of course I have lost track of what day we are on…
Last Week –
Monday – A dreary day with rain forecast. I decided to mix things up and run during lunch and hopefully walk after work. It’s easier now when you can dress for work in your running clothes and stay that way for the rest of the day (I’m alone, right?) But that meant I had to run in my neighborhood which I never do (boring!!) In between raindrops (almost made it back dry), I ran looking for signs of spring (and positivity).
not my daffodils, yet
The right call since it poured the rest of the day. So I got out my raincoat and umbrella and went for my post work (breakout) walk. The rain stopped almost immediately as I drove in search of a new place to walk.
Tuesday – .Another dreary day although the sun did come out for a minute during my lunch walk.
back on the trail behind my house (for lack of time to drive anywhere)…if only the mud would dry up…
This was supposed to be a rest day but work was stressful so I decided to drive to UAlbany (where when I was NOT working from home, I used to run most of time)
and I bumped into a running friend. We chatted for awhile (from a distance).
Wednesday – Hard to figure out when to rest and when to run…
Modeling mittens that I got in the mail from a friend who knit them. The sun actually appeared at the end of my lunch walk on the (muddy) park trails.
Working from home has me sitting all day. I always feel antsy at the end of the day. So I drove to Washington Park and went for an easy run.
warmed up quite a bit from my lunch walk…made a new cat friend
Thursday – Decided on a rest day after 3 days in a row of easy runs. Of course that meant 2 walks.
One during lunch:
clouds and wind but grateful for a trail behind my house that seems to go on forever…
And one after work:
drove to Five Rivers and explored some new trails… unfortunately chillier than at lunch…where is spring?
And although we don’t currently run together, we are chatting virtually once a week:
Can you believe we talked for TWO hours!!
Friday – Since I was planning on a long run the next day, I took a second rest day in a row. Perfect planning since it was rainy and chilly (Spring…I am waiting…).
I still went for my lunch walk with an umbrella…not on the trail but in a new neighborhood. Trail was too muddy!
oops my cat sign is backwards. My first daffodil hates the weather too
Fortunately, the rain had mostly stopped by the end of my work day so I drove into town for another walk. Nasty, raw and it even started to rain again. Ugh!
bunnies chasing each other was the highlight of this weather-shortened walk
Saturday – Long Run Saturday…alone but with perfect weather. I decided to run an unofficial virtual Cherry Blossom 10 miler. I debated on where to run (and where to get take out after). I decided on the Corning Bike Path so at least I would have a water view. For many reasons, this was hard (tired, hot, hungry, lonely, etc.) But I got it done and rewarded myself afterwards.
the only cherry blossoms to be seen were on my shirt (so over dressed – could have worn a skirt & tank). Not pictured was the French toast that I took out for lunch later)
Thanks to Zoom, I participated in a live Coffee Date with other bloggers later in the day.
so fun…recognize everyone?
Sunday – Rest Day and catch up day.
Started the day with a ZOOM chat with my tennis friends. Sadly, we had to cancel our 16th annual trip to Naples, Fla.
20019
2010
After errands and laundry we done, the hubby and I decided to go for a long ride up to Lake George. Just needed new surroundings.
unfortunately too rainy and damp to do much
Of course when we came home, the weather cleared and even the sun came out.
got some ice cream and walked it off on some trails.
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? Please share.
to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I do not own any exercise equipment. So I could take some online classes. Many are even offered free.
I have not.
I actually miss my little gym
Have you taken any online classes? Do you miss going to the gym?
2.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I ran the NYC Half Marathon Virtually. Does it count as my 42nd half??
NYC HM
Do you plan to run your cancelled races virtually?
3.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I hate working from home but at least I am making the effort to get dressed (does workout clothes count?) and go for a 30 minute walk at lunch every day. I am lucky to have a few nearby trails.
How are you coping with working from home? Are you getting outside more?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I can work from home thanks to technology.
my work helper
We use ZOOM for meetings and Webex to teach.
I’m even using ZOOM for meeting up with my friends.
Anyone else using technology more? ZOOM meet ups anyone?
5.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I normally either cook or go out to eat. Rarely do I do take-out but I want to support local businesses so I’ve ordered here many times (do not judge):
so glad that my favorite ice cream place did not close
How are you supporting local businesses?
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!
Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)
My Topic today is: How to Support Your Friends While Running Alone
Now more than ever, runners need support.
I know, you may think this doesn’t apply to you. You mostly run alone. You follow your own plan and run whenever you choose and wherever. You pretty much worry about your own running concerns, needs and goals.
I bet at one time or another, another runner has helped you at a race, a run or even provided online support.
I know when I was training for my marathon, I was very lucky to have friends who cared about and supported me. They offered to run parts of my long runs, cheered me on at the end my 20 miler and even tracked me during the big race.
And although my friends and I are currently not running together, I want to still support them, encourage them to keep running and make sure they know I care about them.
So here are some ideas that you can use to support your friends even if you are now running alone:
Text them. Ask them how they are? What they are doing? How they are keeping active?
Set up Video Chats. ZOOM is free and easy to use. You can discuss running, of course (or anything else) and it’s nice to see their faces and hear their voices.
Organize Virtual Running Dates. You can run at the same time but in different places. You can even text each other pictures from the run.
Cari and I even planned our outfits for an after work run.
Participate with them in Virtual Races. There are so many out there. Some even send you a bib and a medal (and the fee often supports a charity). You don’t even have run an “official” virtual race. You can just pick a race and a distance and then run it.
a great one for April
Post Your Scheduled Runs (when and when). Your friends will know where and when you are running. They may even choose to run WITH you (but of course, 6 feet apart.)
3-21 – 8 am at Peebles Island
Encourage Signing Up for Summer or Fall Races. Always motivating to have something to look forward to together.
August 29, 2020
We may feel alone. We may feel isolated. Some of us even may feel depressed and unmotivated due to so many races being cancelled.
But we are really in it together. We can help each get through these difficult times.
Still working at home…all social activities cancelled. (Even introverts enjoy adult conversation lol)
Grateful that I was pro-active and got my eyes examined, new supply of contacts, ordered new glasses, got my hair cut and colored and my nails done…all before lock down.
Only things left to do are run, walk, hike and bike.
I will survive!!!
everyone participating?
Last Week –
Monday – That nice weather we had last week was gone. Snow/rain mix all day. I did not let that stop me from my lunch walk in the snow.
not too bad but then afterward, it started snowing harder!!
But my after work walk… snowing too hard out. sigh.
Tuesday – My new normal continued…. lunch walk…
Unfortunately, work was too busy to even take a lunch break. 😦
Followed by an after work run or walk.
I plan to run every other day depending on the weather. So today was a run day. It was chilly but at least it was dry on the trail trail (in spite of the recent snowstorm) and since I didn’t do my lunch walk, I ran 4 instead of my normal 3 miles.
Wednesday – Back to our new normally scheduled program…
Lunch walk
After work walk
bumped into an old friend and we chatted a long time (from 6ft apart)
Thursday – Sorry if you are getting bored with my life. I am too.
A muddy lunch walk
the exercise equipment were unused but the tennis courts were FULL
A post work run (done virtually with my NYC pal, Cari)
drove to the Crossings – perfect weather and so many people outdoors (so many that the next day, they decided to close the park)
First ZOOM video chat (with some of the Freihofer Run Ambassadors):
Second ZOOM chat with my running friends:
Gotta love technology!! Miss them!!!
Friday – Same old, same old.
Lunch walk on a rest day:
beautiful weather, still exploring part of the fit trail at a nearby park
Then walk number 2 after work on the rail trail:
same direction as Wed but for a longer distance…hey, what else was there to do?
Then when I got home, I did a ZOOM chat with my mah jongg friends (we normally play on Friday nights) and we planned to play online together. (realmahjongg.com)
Saturday – Long Run Saturday but for the second week in a row without my running friends. I decided to drive to the Zim Smith rail which I hadn’t run on since fall.
love all the carvings on the trees.
I ran 3.5 miles in one direction and turned around and then 2.5 in the other direction (with a detour on a new path) and turned around. It wasn’t easy and as usual, a lot of walking photo stops but got it done (as I train for my April 18 unofficial virtual half marathon).
I made sure to order my (take-out) post run treats before the run. The chocolate milk at Leah’s Cakery is one of the reasons that I love this trail.
Sunday – A rainy rest day…hopefully the rain will stop so I get in a walk…otherwise my non-working, non-running time is filled with knitting, laundry, cooking and housework. Miss my friends!!!
always try to have floweres around as it cheers me up (along with the wine)
part of a sock
Update: The rain did stop and I got in a long walk.
the rail trail again but in the opposite direction from Wed & Fri
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 running virtual races? How is this virus affecting you and your family? Please share.
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My First 5K and More... 