Running With Your Heart

Last year I used the Runner’s World Day-by-Day Log up until June. That’s when I went to Hawaii for 15 days. We did lots of exercise there but no runs. I wasn’t going to back fill in the days and I didn’t bring it with me as I was packing light (no checked bag!). Still, I bought one for 2026 and we’re trying it again!

The year started strong with my first long run of 6 miles being about a month ahead of my first 6-mile long run in 2025. It was in the thirties with a little wind and I overdressed. I wore leg sleeves under fleece lined pants as I usually have a problem during or after winter activities with unbearable itchy legs. This is a sort of histamine response though I don’t usually see hives, it is as if they’re there. I also had my thicker hoodie on with a t-shirt and long-sleeved shirt under. Plus, my Big Bird Run knit gloves and my headband. As I was running, I felt good enough that I was pushing my hoodie sleeves up and decided I would run one hill ‘repeat’ after. This was 0.2 mile up and 0.2 mile back.

I was happy my pace was fairly consistent. The last mile, heading counter-clockwise, is right into the wind across the lake; no trees to subdue the wind. I have no business running this as my ‘long run’ with any supporting runs in the week.

I was craving a Maurice (Hudson) salad and found a restaurant we could order takeout from on the way home. While not a reward, it certainly served as motivation – purely something to look forward to! Not much different from when I was craving Arepas!

The salad hit the spot (from our area Hudson Café) but it was not as good as the one at O’Mara’s restaurant. To be fair, I haven’t had very many of these salads – both of these didn’t have the hard-boiled egg with it. Guess I need to try it from another restaurant! This is quite ironic because at one time I had the new year’s resolution to have a salad once a week! Well, when you serve me salad loaded with tasty toppings, that’s not going to be a problem to eat!!

Last weekend (the third weekend of January) I chose not to run at all, not even a few short miles. We had two bouts of heavy snow, Wednesday and Thursday. I shoveled both times, an even trade for walk the dog, taking the trash out, and going to the grocery store. I usually want to shovel! Wednesday was so much after the fitness class that snow drifts felt like 8” in parts of the walk. When Thursday after work came to shovel, I didn’t really want to shovel because I knew I needed a rest day! I had exercised the previous five days from the Saturday long run of 6-miles!

I shoveled anyways and in making an effort to lift the shovel of snow with my legs, I tweaked my left knee! As Friday progressed, I could feel the pain starting when I lowered myself to a chair or went down the stairs. For several minutes on Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning, I performed a variety of leg lifts, calm shells, and donkey kicks. I think this in combination of rest let that go away. On Sunday afternoon, I did a gently weighted walk with incline on the treadmill for one mile. My indoor bike was set up and I rode easily about 15 minutes. Then I did about 25 minutes more of leg-strengthening exercises.

On Monday, today, it feels good as new. After book club tonight, I’m going to ride the bike downstairs!