Last Run 5 K

Last night I completed one of my goals for 2014 which was to run four 5K races.  My year started with the Freihofer's Run for Women in May, then there was the Boilermaker 5 K in July, followed by the Falling Leaves 5K in September.  By late October I was worried I wouldn't find another run by the end of the year.  [Let me tell you I am super glad I didn't pick a Turkey Trot since we had a foot of snow this Thanksgiving].

Sure enough, one of my many "junk mail" emails delivered the idea to do the Albany City sponsored "Last Run".  So I signed up, but I didn't tell anyone because I was so afraid the weather would be horrible and I'd chicken out.  I didn't want to give advance notice of my failure.  As the day neared I watched the weather forecast with trepidation.  Clear skies were abundant, except for the one day that mattered:  race day.

Yep, yesterday was 34 degrees (that's 2 degrees Celsius)  and rainy.  Not on and off rainy, nope.....steady drops all day.

But I couldn't back out.  Why?  Because I'm alive and well.  How could I not put up with a little discomfort when I had a fully functioning body that could do this event?  How could I squander my own health when so many people can't even walk this distance?  And most of all, when I knew my cousin Cheryl was in Hospice care and she would never run a 5K ever again.  So I did this run for Cheryl and all those who are ill and wish the simplest of health.

I like to run in honor of those I love.

To avoid parking issues, I took the bus downtown.  By the time I walked to the bus stop (which is so ridiculously close to my house)I was acclimated to the rain and cold.  It wasn't windy and with all the layers I was wearing I felt warm and dry.  I got to hte race early and waited with a bunch of other crazy people (1100) to be exact for the race to begin at 5 PM.  Before the race started there was a 10 minute fireworks display that was gorgeous.  Then we were off.  Despite not having run but twice since September, my body felt limber and my breathing fine in the cooler air.  There was only the tiniest incline to start and then it was all flat.  We ran down this section of State Street, which I think of  as NYC like.  Before I knew it I was running across cobble stones and I realized that I was already crossing Lark Street.  A minute later and we entered the park.  For two miles we ran the roadways where the "Lights in the Park" decorations glow.  My favorites were the tree with four colorful birds and the big NOEL sign.  I also liked running under the light bridge and the leaping reindeer.

After the park, it was all downhill for the last mile.  I finished in 36 minutes, which is slow, but like I wrote, it had been awhile since I ran.  I ws still warm and dry (thanks to a semi-water proof jacket) and not at all tired.  I walked another 1/2 mile to catch the bus home where I had tea and bread and jam.

It was a lovely time, but it was lonely.  Next year I have to share what I am doing so that I can run with some crazy friends!!!

The above pictures are not my own and were taken from the web.

I took only one shot because my phone was buried deeply under three layers of shirts.

I went over the river today for no reason except sometimes I enjoy a mindless drive.  While coming across a bridge at a high point, I saw them...the northern part of the Catskill mountains.  And even though these are the mountains I see in the distance everyday I drive into Greenville, it was like seeing them for the first time.  I never knew I could see them from Albany!  Even in Greenville they sit more than 10-15 miles away.  In Albany that is at least 40 miles away, yet there they were in all their snowy glory.

It made me think how many things we miss every day.  Things of beauty that are right there present with us.  Those mountains are visible from the Patroon Island Bridge as you cross the Hudson River, but somehow, I never saw them!  Mostly they are obscured by buildings.  Somehow this makes me think of how in our lives we miss moments, miss beauty, nature, people...all because we obscure them with clutter, noise, work, laziness, and rushing about.

You don't have to search far to find joy.  It's right where you are, it's always been there-waiting for you to slow down.

A Garden A Month

While wandering the yard two days ago I started to really look at my garden spots.  Sure they are dormant now, but I like to inspect each little piece to see where they are at.  I also have a favorite, my alysem.  It usually makes a flower every single month of the year-even in winter!

So here are the garden spots of January:

Lamb's Ear, actually growing.

Every month alyssum

Ivy that is growing and green!

Front bank

Tomatoes!  I still have 4 jars of salsa left!

Living and growing Dusty Miller!