Fitting in Fitness Whenever You Can

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 6 Comments

bfitnessonthego

I have spend quite a few months going back and forth to my mom recently. Much of my time at my mom’s is spent helping her out, figuring out meds, taking her to doctors appointments. Did I mention that I sleep on the couch, with her plethora of ticking and chiming clocks?

Even so I am able to fit in some fitness. Where there’s a will, there’s almost always a way.

Pack for success
Here are some of my key fitness tools I almost always travel with:

  • Ipad (for Peloton/YouTube workouts)
  • Yoga blocks
  • Travel Yoga mat
  • Ball for self myofascial release
  • Running shoes
  • Running clothes
  • Airpods & Airshokz (so I can workout without waking people up)
  • Small (for running) & large (so I always have water with me) water bottles
  • Protein Bars (sometimes there’s nowhere to eat)
  • Baby Carrots, apples — both are easy to travel with

Your list may look different. Just think about the tools you need to be able to squeeze in a workout where ever, when ever.

Prioritize
What’s most important to you when it comes to travel fitness:

  • Running
  • Walking
  • Strength Training
  • Yoga
  • Self Care
  • Healthy Eating
  • All of the above

Running has been on the back burner for me much of this time. I shoot for 3 x week, and most of the time I can manage that. I make it a point to try to get as much walking in as possible wherever I am. I still practice Yoga every morning — helps that my mom is not an early riser and I am.

I do travel with food because eating crappy food doesn’t make me feel better — but sometimes you’re going to eat crappy food — just choose something you’ll actually enjoy! Don’t go overboard on it.

Most importantly: give yourself grace
You may not be able to get your usual workouts in. You may need to scale back on your workouts. You may have times when you want to work out and it’s just not possible. Do what you can, when you can; your body will thank you.

Final Thoughts
Even in challenging times, there’s a way to squeeze in fitness. Sometimes I need more rest than I normally would due to stress. Sometimes I’m not able to eat the way I’m used to because I’m stuck in hospitals, rehabs, etc. I try my best to keep up my healthy habits as best I can, and when I can’t, I know that this is, in the end, temporary.

If you’re traveling, keeping up with your fitness can help keep you energized. Don’t forget that fitness actually can be another form of stress, so go easy and listen to your body.  Or maybe you’re traveling for business. Exercising will really help you out on those days you’re stuck sitting around all day, but pay attention to how your body is feeling. Maybe you actually do need a little extra rest. Pay attention to the signs you might be overdoing it (read this blog here).

What fitness equipment is always in your travel bags?
Do you have trouble adjusting when your fitness schedule is thrown off kilter?

btuesdaytopics

Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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Should I Stay or Go Now?: 10/11 – 17 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 29 Comments

The week started out with my Mom on her way to the hospital. Seriously, I took her to the cardiologist the previous Tuesday and by the next Monday she was in the hospital with (supposedly) pneumonia. With assurances from my sister that she wasn’t at death’s door and the very limited hospital visiting hours, I stayed home — although every day I didn’t know whether or not I’d need to go down. I appreciate you guys listening to me go on and on about all this, but what can I say? That’s my life.

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing a another surprisingly active week — gotta get it in when you can!

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), 3 miles easy, PB Walking with Weights (25 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (45  min), Light Hiking
  • Wednesday: Yoga (50 min), 5 mile long-er run, Filmed Yoga Video (40 min), PB ST (25 min), Dogwalk AM/PM
  • Thursday: Yoga, (30 minutes), 2 Recovery Miles, Dogwalk AM
  • Friday: Yoga (45 min), PB Metcon (25 min), Dogwalk AM/PM
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk AM, Filmed Yoga Video (60 min)
  • Sunday:  Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, 1 mile “speedy”, Yoga later & Abs maybe later

Running Mileage: 11  (+.68) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Summer/Fall of Fungi

Monday Intention: change the scenery, get in some miles before leaving again potentially
I got an early morning call from my sister. My mom was on her way to the hospital. Of course we weren’t sure what was going down, if I’d have to go down (probably), so I got out to do some grocery shopping and get in a few miles while I could. Consistent the first 2, then tried to — successfully — pick up the pace.

Obviously I’m not the only one leaving off letters. Inspirational messages along local marathon route.

Wednesday Intention: go long-er
Mom still in the hospital, I’m still at home, unsure of what the week will bring, so wanted to knock out my long-er run. It’s been incredibly foggy & chilly in the mornings the last couple of days, warmer by the afternoon. Glad I chose to wear a skirt.

Picked up the pace the last mile again — it’s just a long-er run, not a long run (that is, less than 90 minutes), but that last mile was the fastest I’ve seen in a long time. Have I slowed down? Probably. Maybe not with some speed work and some less stress.

I think we’re about at peak but between wind & rain . . . not sure why it was a blurry pic

Thursday Intention: recover
I couldn’t do recovery miles after Monday’s run because we wanted to hike on Tuesday, but today I had the time. Man I felt slow! It wasn’t actually as slow as it felt. Mom still in the hospital, no better, no worse.

The winds & rain last night blew a lot of leaves & pine needles off our trees but this neighbor’s tree is still hanging onto its leaves.

Sunday Intention: just run
As in see if I could just run a mile with no walking, which I did. As I often do, I came up with that intention on the run. It was a somewhat speedy mile for me. I originally was going to do 2 easy, but trying to not make the mistake of adding on too much again. So a little speed it was. Didn’t hurt that it had cooled off massively overnight (and the wind/rain took down a lot of the leaves). Mom now home.

A good day full of gentle hiking & waterfalls

Favorites of the week
We did get to enjoy a lovely hike on Tuesday.

We finally dealt with the pie pumpkins we got a couple of weeks ago. Mr. Judy has been asking me about them almost on the daily, but I knew it would be a big project — and it was! Done. Yes, you can expect a post about that in a little bit.

My mom finally came home from the hospital on Saturday. Fingers crossed she can stay home. Happy dance that she didn’t  have to go to rehab again!

GWY Restorative Hip Release

ICYMI: Want to relax and open your hips and show your back some love all at the same time? I’ve got you covered with this 40 minute Restorative Yoga practice. Yes, I know there’s a typo — again!

Hip Releasing Restorative Yoga click here * Difference between Restorative & Yin Yoga Vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: How to fit in fitness when you’re not at home. Friday I share what you can do if you realize that you’re burning out on running.

5 Signs You Might be Flaming Out

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 17 Comments

bflamingout

Runners love to run. Until they don’t. That falling out of love feeling can really sneak up on us, so it’s important to be on the lookout for the signs of burnout.

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I’m linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, Zenaida and Run Laugh Eat Pie for Fit Five Friday. Today I’m sharing 5 tips to help you figure out if you might be flaming out on running.

1: Poor sleep
Insomnia has so many different causes, and many people turn to activity to help them sleep. It usually works — until it doesn’t.

woman suffering from her allergy
Are you suffering more from colds than usual? | Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

2: Frequent colds/viruses
If you have young children you may be used to the the colds that seem to always be making the rounds at home. If you’re normally a healthy person and you suddenly start getting everything that’s going around, it’s time to re-evaluate what you’re doing. 

woman wrapping man s leg with bandage
Do you find yourself falling more than usual? | Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

3: Getting more accident-prone
Most of us trip every once in a while. If you find yourself tripping more frequently, or outright falling a lot — it can be a sign of fatigue. I know when I get tired on a long run I have to remind myself to make sure to pick up my feet more. When no amount of reminders prevents the accidents, it’s time to take notice.

4: Heavy legs
We all have runs when our legs just feel as if they’re stuck in cement. Sometimes we know why, sometimes it just hits out of the blue. If all your runs feel this way, though, there may be something deeper going on.

5: No longer interested in the things that bring you joy
Like running. We all go through rough patches with running from time to time, but if it’s consistently not making you feel happy the way it used to, it’s just another sign that you might be over training.

Final Thoughts
Taken one by one the above are all things that happen to runners (and non-runners!) from time to time. I doubt a single one of us has never experienced these types of “symptoms”. If you can nod you’re head yes to more of these than not, it may be time to re-evaluate what you’re doing and shake things up a bit.

Have you ever experienced running burnout?

What made you realize you were in burnout?

When to Save, When to Spend

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 29 Comments

bsplurge

Running is supposed to be a cheap sport. I’d like to say it can be, but you need running shoes — and at the very least probably a couple of pairs a year. Running shoes are expensive!

When to Save

I’m pretty sure my “when to spend” list will be longer than my “when to save” list. I think that these lists will be different from person to person — we all have different needs!

  • Let your running clothes air dry — this will save you energy and ultimately will help save the planet and help your clothes last longer
  • Make your own running fuel/recovery snacks — it won’t save you time, but it will save you $$ and most likely will be more nutritious, too
  • This one is definitely personal: being smaller on top, I rarely spend much on running bras (I know many female runners can’t skimp in this department)
  • Another $$ savings for smaller women: tops with the bra already built in
  • This isn’t a when to save, but a how to save: try to sign up to be an Ambassador for products you use frequently. There is usually a decent discount for Ambassadors
  • Sign up early for races to snag deals — just be aware that the weather is very changeable

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When to Spend

I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

  • Spend on good quality running clothes (of course I recommend Skirt Sports). Yes, they may be pricey but they’ll last a very long time.
  • Spend on good socks. No cotton unless you dig blisters.
  • If you’re going to buy a treadmill that you actually plan to use, invest in a good one. Expect to pay at least $1000 (unless you manage to snag a lightly used one!)
  • Spend on shoes. Comparison shop and you may be able to get a deal on your favorite shoes, but your feet will thank you.
  • If you ever decide to hire a coach, don’t just look at the price; again, I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for!

Final Thoughts
Hey, my save column was surprisingly longer! Of course you don’t have to splurge on clothes if you don’t want to, Target, Old Navy, and Gap all have pretty good running clothes at reasonable prices. Shoes can be very expensive, but you can look around for deals on a variety of Websites — once you know what the right shoes for you are. Just don’t choose shoes by the price, though, or you could end up paying a steep price with your body.

What do you think it’s important to spend on?
How do you manage to save on running gear?


btuesdaytopics

Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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Just Keep Moving: 10/4 – 10 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 37 Comments

As I work on this intro, it’s Friday. At least this week I know what sidelined me! I was at my mo. The week went south from there with all sorts of stressful stuff. Getting older just ain’t fun, and caring for the elderly can sometimes make you feel ancient too!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing a surprisingly active week although light on running and strength training, but I knew going in that would probably be the case.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), Walk AM & PM, took mom to the doctor
  • Wednesday: Yoga (50 min), AM Walk, 3 mile hike at Olana on the way home
  • Thursday: Yoga, (50 minutes), Dogwalk AM, PB Toning Walk (25 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (45 min), 5.32 mile long-er run, Dogwalk PM, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk AM, 2 mile recovery run, PB Cardio + ST (25 min)
  • Sunday:  Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk

Running Mileage: 10.32  (-.68) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Yes, Fall is almost in full swing

Monday Intention: get in some miles before the rain
This was the type of morning I usually would have run on the treadmill. I can’t get in 3 miles on the treadmill, so I headed out hoping I could stay dry and I did. It rained most of the rest of the day, though (while I was driving, of course).

Not sure what these wildflowers are (they look like miniature asters); probably some invasive species cause they’re EVERYWHERE on this path. Pretty, though.

Friday Intention: go long-er
The boots I wore while at my mom’s (which aren’t new or high heels or narrow and I’ve worn many times before comfortably) caused the top of my foot to be painful again. I didn’t run while I was down there (never planned to anyway), and added an extra rest day because I need it after a visit.

This run was relatively good. A tiny bit humid. I was a little overdressed, but not too bad, and I ditched the vest I was wearing during the last mile. The standout from this run were the two huge herons (I think that’s what they were). One was white and I saw it flying in the distance; the other was dark and nearly landed on my head! Even the walkers behind me commented on how big it was. Wish I could’ve grabbed my phone quickly enough to catch some photos!

The corn husks started to shake & then a squirrel popped out

Saturday Intention: recover
Warmed up walking Bandit, then out for an easy 2 miles. Tried to keep it slow, it certainly felt slow, but was just a tiny bit faster than a recovery run should be. During the Summer this was often my easy pace — and slower. So slow progress.

The trail ends way in the back there with a view of these barns from the other side

Favorites of the week
Most of the time I stop at Olana on the way to my mom, but it was raining, sometimes pretty heavily, on the way down. She plays bridge on Wednesdays, so I left “early” — which gave me more time to walk around and finally get to the end of one trail I’ve only been able to do partway before.

Now for something completely different — I looked up the symbolism of herons:

Tranquility and stillness

&

Determination because we are bound to wade through marshes and ponds through life’s journey, but we must never give up

That second one spoke to me! I am definitely wading right now, and of course there were literally marshes on either side of the running path sometimes. Tranquility & Stillness? Not so much!

I met up with a friend I haven’t seen in a while yesterday afternoon & we had a great chat, even if it was chilly out. Normally I would have suggested a walk, but I was pooped! My foot feels fine now, too. Weird!

I do not see the stress dying down anytime soon, my mom’s live in aide has given notice . . . but in the good news department, there are no doctor’s appointments, at least not ones we have to take her to until November.. Of course by then I could be on a jury . . . 

Except after I wrote the above she wasn’t feeling well yesterday and wants to see the cardiologist (which I just took her to) again. Oy! I highly doubt she’ll get an appointment, but maybe I can convince her to try telemedicine, which I know the office has.

GWY Shoulder Release

ICYMI: I’m on a roll with body-specific Yoga lately! There’s a tiny bit of myofascial release in the beginning of this video, and then we loosen up and release tension from our shoulders while also strengthening them. I don’t know about you, but I tend to store a lot of stress there!

Release Shoulder Tension here * How Often Should You Practice? Vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Splurge or save? Everyone has different priorities with running gear, but I share where I think you should splurge and where you can save. Friday I share 5 signs you might be burning out on running.

5 Impressions from my online First Aid/CPR Course

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 19 Comments

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After I mentioned that I had completed my First Aid/CPR course online, a lot of bloggers mentioned they needed to renew theirs. Here’s a short review of my experience.

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I’m linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, Zenaida and Run Laugh Eat Pie for Fit Five Friday. Wondering if online First Aid/CPR are for you? Read on!

1: A Self Paced Course
The course is a series of video lessons and “missions” (I’ll explain that next). You can start, pause, repeat, and stop — and come back to it at any time.

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2: What’s a mission?
So glad you asked! After the video lesson you will be sent on a “mission” to practice what you learned. It’s essentially a video game, which was interesting. You can click on the injured person, or a bystander, and then choose actions to take. You can move the scene to the right and the left to make sure nothing dangerous is in the way — if there is, you simply click on it to make it go away.

Missions involving bandaging will have a small box with a variety of bandages. You will drag and drop the appropriate bandage into the appropriate location.

Missions involving CPR will have a graphic of your hands which you’ll place in the appropriate location and then you’ll use your hand (or mouse — I took mine on the my Ipad, so just used my fingers) to press the appropriate number of times. There is also a way for you to tilt the head back to open the airway on screen in your missions, too.

My course also covered AED (automatic external defibrillator), so you had to position the pads in the correct locations and then take the appropriate actions in the appropriate order.

It was an interesting way to learn!

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3: Is there a test?
No! You must pass all the missions. You can retake missions as many times as necessary, although I only had one that I had to repeat. Every once in a while you were asked to practice a skill that hadn’t actually been explained yet — but that was the exception, not the rule. It would be extremely difficult not to pass this course, but you will be learning!

4: How long will the course take?
According to the description a little over 2 hours. I didn’t really time mine; I think it took a bit longer than that, but it’s definitely doable in much less than a day.

5: How quickly will I get my certificate?
I needed mine in about a month, and we had been warned that some courses can take a while to process and send you your certificate. I got mine as soon as I had completed the course.

Final Thoughts
The cost of this course was $35. I found some online that were only $15, but the reviews seemed a bit iffy so I just went with it. You can’t take the course on your phone, apparently, or using Internet Explorer. You do have access to the course after you’ve completed it — I don’t remember for how long (and couldn’t find the answer quickly on the site. Since I haven’t been certified before, I like the fact that I can go back & review information. Will I? I should but I’m not sure — that is one of the beauties of online learning though!

To sign up for the course I took click here (not an Affiliate link)

Do you think you would renew your certification online after reading more about it?

How Long is Your Long Run Really?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 28 Comments

bhowlong

I was walking Bandit one day last week, thinking about my “long-er” runs and how much more manageable short long runs seem (if that makes sense). I had already decided on this topic for todays post, then I was texting with another runner friend. She is also not running very long these days or racing, although our reasons are different.

We both mused about how we might get back to longer runs and races — some day

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Prepping or grabbing that post run snack

It’s not just the run
If you’ve ever trained for a longer distance race, you know that the long run can start the night before. Laying out your clothes, your fuel, your hydration, perhaps your recovery snack. Making sure you either have the ingredients for breakfast, or getting breakfast ready so that it’s ready to just grab or heat up. Making sure any electronics you need are charged. Making sure you get to bed at a decent hour so you’re rested.

The morning of your long run there’s dressing. Maybe applying anti chafe gel and sunscreen. Eating breakfast — if you’re like me, that means leaving a couple of hours, 90 minutes at the least, to digest said breakfast before you run. Probably drive somewhere to run. Dynamic warmup.

Finally it’s time to run!

If you’re meeting up with friends, there might be chatting beforehand — and after. Before you know it, more than half the day is gone!

You may not include all these steps in prep for your long run, but there’s no denying that for most of us there’s some prep work that goes into a longer run.

Now it’s time to actually run!
If you’re a faster runner, this may only be a few hours out of your day, depending on the length of your long run. If you’re a slower runner, it can take a much longer time. You may or may not need a pitstop before, during, or after, too!

gwy calf foam roll
Recovery foam rolling

Now it’s time to recover
That might mean a snack, or it might mean a meal with your friends and more chatting. Maybe some stretching and/or foam rolling. Depending on how long you ran, or how hard that run was, you might even need a nap.

Well, you get the idea. Sometimes if feels as though running long is a job! Not necessarily in a bad way, but it can consume a lot of time.

Now imagine this . . .
Your long run is between 5 – 8 miles. The run itself takes less time. There’s no reason to carry fuel (although you should definitely still hydrate!).  You are less likely to feel really tired afterward. Breakfast can be easy — some toast or a sprouted English Muffin with some butter (in my case ghee) and honey and a little salt. No prep the night before!

There’s really no need to alter your eating much before or after. I foam roll before, personally, rarely afterwards, although I usually do stretch afterwards.

Because it takes so much less time it’s much easier to squeeze into my week, on a weekend or any other day, really. I’m also able to do some strength training later in the day

The biggest benefit? I’m not so tired. It’s really just a run, a slightly long-er run.

Final Thoughts
I still have more than half the states to run a half marathon in! That isn’t a goal that I’ve given up on, just but on hold for now. Someday when life is less stressful I may feel differently, but for now, running less suits me. I also really enjoy how easy it is to fit shorter runs into my life.

I know for some people maintaining that long run is a way to feel more normal in a world that is still not at a new normal. Whatever floats your boat! Just be on the lookout for symptoms of burnout (which just might be an upcoming post soon).

You might also enjoy:

5 Must Dos After a Long Run/Race

Reflections from a Long Run

5 Thoughts from a Long Run

Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Long Run?

8 Ways I recovered from my Longest Long Runs

What would you miss if you didn’t run so long?
What might you be able to do if you weren’t running so long?

btuesdaytopics

Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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1 Step Forwards, 2 Steps Back: 9/27 – 10/3 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 38 Comments

Another busy week; mostly in a good way. Finally got to check something off my to do list that I’ve been struggling with for months. Getting that done, the RRCA course done, the First Aid/CPR course done — all those things were a big relief to me. Then the jury duty notice came in the mail yesterday . . .

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, still juggling activity and helping out my mom — tomorrow I head back and will take her to a follow up visit with one of her doctor’s assistants on Tuesday. My brother is in town visiting her, so I’ll get to see him as well, which is always nice.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), 3 miles easy, PB Walking with Weights (25 min), Dogwalk, PB ST ( 25 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 2 recovery miles, Dogwalk PM, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (50 min), Dogwalk, AM/PM, PB STs (25 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga, (40 minutes), 4.48 miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min), 5 mile long-er run, Taught Yoga (45 min), PB ST (25 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk AM, 1 mile recovery run, PB Balance & Posture (25 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday:  Yoga (50 min), Dogwalk, packing

Running Mileage: 11  (+3) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Gnome like fungus

Monday Intention: change of scenery
New shoes. Fall temps. My fastest run in a very long time that was also negative splits. I beat the rain, too! Tempted to run 4 but since I ran so littler mileage and was in new shoes — I wasn’t going there.

Fall decorations

Tuesday Intention: recover
Back in the old shoes, much slower — but of course it’s supposed to be! Enjoying not having to get out early, Fall temps, and Fall decorations.

Assuming those marks were man made but since a collapsed beaver dam recently damaged a local road who knows?

Friday Intention: go long-er
A beautiful (and busy) Fall day. Chilly — down to the low 40s when I first got up, but had warmed up about 10 degrees by the time I got out there. I was wearing my vest over a very light long sleeve top, and I worried I’d overheat, but with most of the path shady it was fine. The paces were kind of all over the place, but still faster all over the place with the new shoes. They sure do seem to be magic!

More Fall decorations back there

Saturday Intention: recover
Another beautiful day. Took Bandit for a walk and then went out for a 1 mile run, which was the same pace as most of my long run yesterday. Oops. Wasn’t wearing the new shoes either!

Teaching Yoga in my little slice of Yoga heaven (photo & Yoga platform thanks to Mr. Judy).

Favorites of the week
An acquaintance had won a 30 minute Yoga class with me way back in the beginning of the Summer. Between her schedule and my mom’s problems, it didn’t happen until Friday. She enjoyed it, I always enjoy teaching — but Bandit was barky so he had to be contained. I’m glad to get that off my plate though! Because of her patience I did a longer class than originally planned.

Love the bright colors too!

Loving the new Saucony Endorphin Speed.

Anyone know what this is? It was on my back window but thankfully not aggressive when I had to get into the trunk

GWY Release Neck

ICYMI: It’s a really quick practice to keep your neck happy (yes, I know there’s a typo in the graphic above). Another short talk about why Yoga teachers put so much emphasis on a strong, straight spine.

Release Neck Tension here * What are Nadis? Vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: How long is your long run really? Then I’m sharing my experience with the online First Aid/CPR course, since quite a few people seemed interested in that.

The One That Almost Didn’t Happen!: Tea/coffee Date October 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 30 Comments

bteaoct21

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Thanks,  Coco and Deborah, I’m sitting here with my hot chocolate, and now the weather is appropriate for it! The subject doesn’t refer to races; I’m talking about this post.

Seriously how cheerful is this mug?

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I collect mugs. I use them, too. I got one from most of the states I ran a half marathon in. I already have one from ME. This should be a runfession, but I have to tell you I bought another ME mug while we were there (at an outside crafts fair). I need it like I need a hole in the head, yet it makes me smile every time I use it.

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you we still do see Albie (the albino squirrel) from time to time. I was worried, once, because I saw regular squirrels chasing him through our yard. Then another time there were a couple of regular squirrels and Albie back there peacefully coexisting. Last time we saw him he was way towards the back of our neighbor’s yard — so easy to spot due to his color.

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you speaking of critters, the other day I spotted a really big one making its way quickly across the backyard and literally said WTF is that? Then it dawned on me it was the groundhog that lives under our neighbor’s shed — I hadn’t seen them at all this year but apparently they’re still there.

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you normally I start this post well before it’s published, and I thought I had — until I sat down to “finish” it yesterday and realized that I hadn’t even started it! Another runfession!

It’s not all about how I look, it’s more about a healthy lifestyle & feeling good

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you the reason I keep a closer eye on my weight than some is that I’ve looked like the above photo much of my adult life. In addition, my family tree is riddled with cancer, heart problems, blood pressure problems, diabetes, and dementia. All things that maintaining a healthy weight is one part of the puzzle of prevention.

Do short days (less sunlight) make you more forgetful? 

What critters are you seeing around your home now? 

What is your go-to Fall beverage?

Also linking up with:

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Look Inside to Awaken: September 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 26 Comments

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Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.— Carl Jung

It’s funny how stuff from Carl Jung aligns with Yoga Philosophy, and yet, apparently, despite some Yoga practice, Jung absolutely felt Westerners shouldn’t practice Yoga (there’s a lot of interesting blog posts on the subject, and one that I like its this one here).

Yet the quote above could easily be seen as an interpretation of some of the Yoga Sutras, a very famous set of aphorisms about Yoga that are quite ancient. Ok, I can almost feel your eyes glazing over now. It’s fascinating to me, anyway. I totally agree that becoming clear is about going inward, and Fall moving into Winter is a great time for that.

Getting in scheduled runs
September brought continued trips to mom, although not as many as I thought there would be. Still no scheduled runs, but still running — short running — when I can.

Grade Earned:  A for Effort

Recording my runs
I have veered off course here again . . . seriously, I need to start using my planner again because it helps me to keep focused. It’s a broken record, folks! But hey, I did finally got a haircut, LOL!

Grade Earned: C

Dynamic Warmup
As the mornings get cooler the warmups get more important. I did have one morning recently when it was in the low 50s — yes I did my warmup, but I shivered my way through it and the first half mile or so. Then I was fine.

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
Most days I roll the calves (you can see my video here). Occasionally I do the whole leg. I’ve kind of gotten away from doing things like my back . . . although just last weekend I did do it (and the whole leg).

Grade Earned: A-

There were more treats than normal this month, less running although a fair amount of activity, but I still try to keep it healthy

Nutrition
I actually haven’t weighed myself since before we went to ME. For a while I felt like I’d lost some weight. At least my clothes feel a tiny bit better. Every time I get into a groove with better nutrition it seems I go to my mom — I can’t eat in her dining room, so I have to bring all my food with me. Then I’m too drained when I get back to cook for myself! I still have a couple of pieces of chocolate from ME, but OTOH there’s been some (unphotographed) cake before and after my Yom Kippur fast (it was so good) and then it was Mr. Judy’s birthday recently.

I finally did weigh myself. Definitely higher than it should be but this week in particular we ate out three times and while I’m sure some of that is due to water retention, not all. I’m not gonna stress but I’m also not letting it get away from me.

Grade Earned: B+ (for trying)

Way back at the beginning of the month this short walk around Olana yielded plenty of pretty photos which I never got around to sharing. Never disappoints me. Always something different to see.

Cross Training
Yoga, ST, lots of walking recently. Not a lot of hiking, sadly, it’s been raining so much! We’ve had 40″ (that was a few rains ago) so far this year. I checked Seattle, which has had 20″ so far this year . . .

A fun morning walking with friends & looking at the tugboats

Grade Earned: A+ again for effort

September 2021  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. I’d like to say my mom is doing fine and well settled in. Physically her hip healed up well and she’s using a rollator and steadier on her feet than before her accident. She also has diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart failure, and we haven’t yet been able to really quite balance all that. In addition there are mounting signs of growing mental issues.

September Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. Y. Even 4 times once. The mileage is quite low, but that’s okay.
  • ST 3 x week. Y/N.  I think I hit it most weeks, but last week there was only twice. I meant to do three times but somehow it got away from me on Sunday.
  • A project with a friend. N. Still on hold, but we have gotten together a few times. For fun. She’s just had surgery so it is probably on hold for a while.
  • At least one hike. Y/N. I’m not sure my walk around Olana is really hiking, but it’ll have to do. Just too rainy lately! The tugboat walk was at a local park and could be considered an easy hike.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Another fast (this time for Yom Kippur). My clothes feel better, but the weight? Who knows? Well, now I do know.

Which leads me to October Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. I’ve been fairly successful at 3 x week and even squeezed in 4 x week a few times. I have one doctor appointment to take my mom to in October (so far, anyway).
  • ST 3 x week. I’ve mostly managed this lately. I want to keep up with that!
  • Get back to a different course that’s been on hold for a while. I am almost through the reading and videos for this particular course; there’s a lot of homework still to do. But I’m finished with the RRCA course and the First Aid/CPR course so now it’s time to tackle what’s left of this course.
  • At least one hike. October is a pretty time to hike. If it would just stop raining, I really want to get out there more than once — it’s our anniversary, too.
  • At least one real rest day a week. Sometimes when I’m staying at my mom’s it just doesn’t happen because what would be my rest day is spent taking care of her and then driving there or home. I thought our most recent visit would just be social, but I had to take care of some things. I’m definitely trying to get more rest, and sometimes I’ve managed it and other times I’m just too busy carertaking.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. It’s always a goal, of course. I’ve just been at a plateau at a higher weight than I’d like. I want to continue to try to limit frozen foods (when possible) and maybe it’s time to downsize some portions, too, while I’m not running as much.

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Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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