Weather turning Cold

This was during a hike to the firetower at Hadley Mountain.  It was a fun hike - my first hike with a Meetup group.  I joined several Meetup groups in an effort to meet new people.  One was a hiking group. The group was very friendly and the pace was fairly slow, which was good.  This was two weeks after completing a marathon - so you'd think I'd be strong!!  I made it - but really was surprised at how winded I got climbing the mountain. 

 

I went to another "Meetup" recently for a biking group - they were fun also.  Met a guy who I have since gone on other bike rides with.  I also belong to a meetup group for Beagles - Marla (one of my two dogs) is part beagle I think.  She totally enjoys the "meetups' once a month - it is fun to see all the hounds together.  There are others that are close to her size, stature - and they all seem to get along.  It's always an entertaining outing for me and I love to see how well she gets along with both dogs and humans - she loves everyone!!!

 

I'm enjoying the "meetup" events that involve people enjoying an active lifestyle - hiking, biking, kayaking. 

 

The weather here is about to turn sharply colder which I am not looking forward to - but will make the most of it by bundling up and going for a hike.  Maybe one of the 46 High Peaks soon.

Dating

I have been told by several of my friends that I should write a dating blog with all of my funny stories....well, not all "funny".  

I am not going to do that - let's just say that I don't like to air personal business unless it's fun stuff on FB, Blog or elsewhere. 

With that said - I will just note that instead of actively seeking out any dates - ex. Match - I am just doing what I love to do now that the weather has improved.  Swimming, biking and running whenever and whereever I can.  That makes me happy and spending time on my deck or someone else's deck or patio (friends).  The weather this week has been just beautiful!

Hope this continues - we will be having a beautiful summer.

I am also quite good at enjoying my alone time - sometimes not alone but with my dogs! 

Tragedy in Boston Marathon

As a runner I am saddened beyond speech by what happened at the Boston Marathon yesterday, April 15th, 2013.  I still felt that I should write something.  I want to write about the tremendous support and rescue efforts that were witnessed yesterday.  First responders running in to help the wounded, and running in again and again to help people get to the waiting ambulances or at least to the medical tent which is there for the runners. 

No matter how scared we are, we must go on and live our lives and not let this type of "terror" stop us.  We must continue to run, walk, and keep moving forward.  Friends are organizing a silent run tonight and I am planning on attending just to show solidarity for the people in Boston who were injured in the attack.  Though they may not be aware of what others are doing now, in time we will hopefully make a difference in someone's life and help in the healing.

Stay strong, and keep your loved ones close.  Much love and support to everyone who was affected by this terrible tragedy.

Buck Mountain

This weekend I hiked Buck Mountain.  I felt it was a little more strenuous than the others I've done so far - steep in a couple of spots.  The wind was howling at the top - so when I saw the sign for the Summit - popped my head up for about 10 seconds before being blown back.  Wind and snow was whipping so hard that I simply backed down until I could get to the sheltered side and take some pics.

It was a beautiful day in spite of the crazy wind at the top.  Had a good hike.  I will still be trying a few more of these before the snow is gone, and hope to do some Spring hikes also.  Maybe a little further North - and hit one of the High Peaks. 

Winter Mountain Hiking

I have been on some spectacular winter hikes this season. Did some in the Adirondack Mountains and a few in the Shawangunks (Gunks). Both beautiful - some a little more strenuous - Adirondacks more than Gunks. I've really enjoyed it and it has kept me going on weekends. I am planning another on Saturday - hoping to do Buck Mountain in the Adirondacks. I will try to post some good pics when I'm done. Spring has sprung - though we got a lot of snow on the first day of it! Just can't wait for one of those sunny 70-80 degree days!!! It's been a long winter.

Way too long

It has been "way too long" since I posted on my blog. Also way too long since I've been dating. I am now a member of Match and while it has been an interesting few weeks - I'm not sure that it is the way to go for me. I have met a couple of really quality men and have been "dating" them. I have also met a couple of men who were definitely not my "cup of tea". It is hard to meet people and then have to tell them that you are just not that "interested". At the same time, I think it will be hard when one or more of them tells ME that they are not interested. We'll see how this shakes out - my friends at work told me I should blog some of the stories - there have been a couple of doozies. The guy who tells me his ex-wife thought she was abducted by aliens...I couldn't get out of there fast enough. HAHA. I have signed up for a Half Ironman race in August - Timberman - and also a Marathon in October. While I did a ton of training for Ironman LP last year, I have not run a marathon since 2009. I would like to improve my time and also have a faster time in the Half Ironman this year. Those are my big goals. My last post was about my DNF in Ironman LP and it is time to move on. That was a very difficult time for me - and months after I was still feeling like I could not talk about it without crying. Onward - I've done a ton of winter hiking this season and thoroughly enjoying that. Also ski'd for the first time in about 18 years (downhill) and cross country for the first time ever. Also went snow shoeing. I'm enjoying this winter being able to do some different things. Soon Spring will be here and I'm really looking forward to that also.