Thoughts running around, on the run

March 2, 2021February 25, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 28 Comments

brunningthoughts If I’m outside running, I can almost guarantee you that at some point I’m writing a post about running in my head. It’s probably a great post, too. If I could actually remember it by the time I get home! When it’s warmer, sometimes I’ll actually stop and make a note on my phone when I have a good idea — that’s harder to do in Winter, when all I really want to do is get home so I can put on my nice warm clothes and drink hot chocolate. But I’ll try!

**You torture me by refusing to walk without me, I get to torture you with food. He did get some after I was done.**

The Outside Thoughts

Oh crap! I was supposed to blog about this
One of my first thoughts was it was nice to not be thinking. Then I realized I meant to mentally keep track of my thoughts on my run for this post! The irony.

A side stitch in my last half mile? Really?There I was, creeping up on my longest run in about 6 weeks (a whole 4 miles) — when in the last half mile of the run the side stitch struck. I was like c’mon! That’s not fair! It wasn’t that bad, I just ran through it, but I was a little annoyed for sure.

Has Lloyd actually got out with Bandit yet?
I mentioned this in a post not too long ago, but Bandit often refuses to walk if I am not there. If I’m already out, he’s more likely to walk — probably because he’s looking for me.

There are many days I do my long run and have to walk with Mr. Judy or Bandit refuses to walk. On this particular day I didn’t want to have to come home, quickly change, and walk some more. Luckily I ran into them in my last half mile (after the side stitch) so no need for extra walking.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to cool down by walking Bandit. Not as much in Winter, and I’m still rebuilding fitness so still being conservative with activity. I was just worried that I would get home, find Mr. Judy just getting ready, and know that Bandit wouldn’t get a very long walk if I didn’t go with them.

The Treadmill Thoughts

Another side stitch? Really???
It had been 2 hours since breakfast. It was on the other side. I was definitely not running fast at all! Thankfully this one passed very quickly.

She mentioned Eagles . . .
. . . which made me think about the rather large bird we saw last week. I often see hawks hanging out in the trees opposite our house, although not so much in Winter. This bird was much larger. Mr. Judy finally found something that let us get a close up look at the bird. My guess is either a young eagle or a turkey vulture; Mr. Judy thinks a very large hawk or a young eagle. We have never seen an eagle in our neighborhood, but they have been spotted by others pretty close. The bird hasn’t returned — I really do think it was a young eagle!

When will this ever end???
I’ve been doing fairly well with treadmill runs, but I realized I’d already taken this run, and while I liked it, the instructor seemed to be calling out everyone and their brother (birthdays, hitting a certain amount of runs, etc.). That gets old — let me listen to the music or just shut up already (people probably think the same thing when I teach Yoga). I gave serious consideration to cutting this run a little short but . . .

Flip the script
I realized I had let my thoughts be really negative for most of this run. In the last five minutes or so, I made a serious effort to concentrate on gratitude: for my treadmill, for my healthy, for my ability to run. I made an effort to smile. You know what? It worked! Even though it was the last few minutes of the run, it suddenly felt easier.

Do you think about different things on the treadmill vs outside?

Do you think about the same things on most runs?

What about short runs vs long runs?

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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Warmer days are ahead!: 2/22 – 28 WRD

February 28, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 37 Comments

Wednesday had a high of 50F! Perfect running weather. I went to visit my mom; I got to enjoy the warmer weather on my hike there, but there was no time to run. I notice how much more birdsong there is these days, and the days staying light longer. Spring takes a long time to come up here, but every little sign of it is encouraging.

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.

Workouts update

Monday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (15 min), Dogwalk
Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 2.75 TM, SB 4.45 mile (15 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
Wednesday: Yoga (20 min), 2 mile hike Olana, Yoga (20 min)
Thursday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk
Friday: Yoga (20 min), 5 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)
Saturday: Yoga (20 min), PB ST (10 min), 13ish miles SB while taking the mobiliy course
Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 10.75 (+1.25)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Update

Tuesday Intention: go the distance
I gave serious consideration to skipping this run altogether. I woke up feeling tired. I was going to run outside — maybe I could have — but we’d had a bit of snow overnight, running in the afternoon when it would be clearer wasn’t an option, and quite frankly even though it was a warmer day, I wasn’t feeling it. I decided to run on the treadmill — an endurance run (steady pace) — and just keep the pace conservative. I survived.

**Even after some warmer weather—still a ways to go. With rain in the forecast for this weekend we should see less & less of the white stuff.**

Friday Intention: increase distance, keep pace easy
Mission accomplished! 5 miles that felt surprisingly good. Mostly consistent and the last mile was the fastest. I only look at my watch to see when miles are coming up; I drink some water each mile. So I have no idea how fast I’m running most of the time. No side stitches!

Our side of the street doesn’t get a lot of sun. I’m be other side you see grass!

Sunday Intention: take it easy, enjoy those warmer temps
It was almost 40F by the time I finished my run. No wind; sadly no sun either. A relatively easy 3 miles, meeting my intention.

**Forgot about the photo until they were almost gone! They taste much better than they look in this photo.**

Favorites of the week
I took some of my starter out of the fridge to reactivate, with the intention of making more bread. It was a busy week and I knew I just didn’t have the time to make bread — Friday I had my long-ish run, and Saturday I had an online class all day. So I decided to make some more pancakes. Apparently you can never have too many pancakes. They seemed to fuel 5 miles quite well.

**Learned a lot about mobility & self myofascial release yesterday. It will make its way to the blog eventually.**

I will definitely be changing up some of my foam rolling with what I learned in yesterday’s class. I’ll share a lot of what I learned, but it’s going to take a little time to digest all that information. The vibrating ball (in front) might just be my new bestie.

**Bandit kept me company for almost the whole class (roughly 6 hours).**

Over tea next Friday I talk about Bandit & snuggling. I’ve noticed a decline since it’s been warming up, but he hung out with me during my class almost the entire time. Hard work, but a dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do.

What are the little Spring approaching signs you’ve noticed?

Spring racing plans? Nothing for me, not yet anyway.

Have you tried a vibrating massage tool/foam roller? Yes, they make vibrating foam rollers. That might be next on my list. GWY Manifest Your Dream Meditation

ICYMI: A short, moving mediation. This will help you push away the fear and bring in the things you want in your life. You’ll find the video here. On the other blog I explain Oracle cards, how to use them, and a few options to consider here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Thoughts on the run — outside and inside. Friday I’m grabbing some hot chocolate and getting together with you virtually to share what’s going on in my life — and I promise to listen to what’s going on in yours, too.

We Can Rebuild Her: Runfessions February 2021

February 26, 2021February 26, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

brebuild

I slowly and steadily eased back into running and strength training in February. Some of that strength training was the never ending shoveling. We were actually quite lucky, no monster storms in February, but there was snow often. It seemed as though it always fell on a running day, so I was often shoveling after running.

**Oh the weather outside was frightening! Often.**

I runfess . . .
I am definitely not minding that my runs are short and sweet right now. Or that they can be whatever I want — slow & steady, a little bit of speed work, run/walk. It’s all good.

I runfess . . .
I had one half that was supposed to have been June 2020, and not surprisingly that was canceled. I never signed up for the 2021 race, but it was no big surprise when I heard from Laurie @ MeditationsinMotion that that, too, was canceled; we were hoping to meet up at the race in 2020! I wasn’t planning on running it this year either. If I’m very lucky, by that point I’ll be vaccinated but who knows?

I runfess . . .
I am glad that my Achilles finally seems to be healed. Some days it seems a little tight when I first get up, but I do some SMR (self myofascial release) and it seems fine the rest of the day — whether I’m running or not. Returning to running hasn’t seemed to bother it. Now the hamstring that’s forever cranky . . . still cranky. That’s been on and off a long time, much longer than my Achilles; it’s one of those aches that isn’t bad but just won’t seem to go away. I’ve been working on that, too, though and it does seem better.

I runfess . . .
When I was sick in January and not very hungry, I went through an entire loaf of Trader Joe’s sourdough bread in about a week. By myself. I don’t usually eat a lot of bread. Although I runfess that sourdough loaf I baked has been disappearing pretty quickly too, although after 2 weeks and both of us eating it there’s still a little left.

I runfess . . .
Some people are #runningallthemiles in the Pandemic. Me? I’m taking #allthecourses. Winter is definitely a good time to be learning new things! Because I am definitely looking forward to getting out in Spring and doing some short hikes again. Even though I know it’ll be muddy.

Are you running more or less than usual right now?

Are you old enough to know what TV show I’m referring to in the title of this blog?

What do you have to runfess from February? Come join us

I am also linking up with:

Reboot: February 2021

February 23, 2021February 19, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 20 Comments

I was very clear on trying to listen to my body and slowly ease back into activity after three weeks of pretty much just Yoga and walking. I know I lost cardiovascular fitness in that time — thanks to my Garmin automatically recording my V02 MAX — but still never really felt much DOMs as I transitioned into working out more again. Thank you Yoga!

It’s very refreshing to go away and take a break, to clear your head, and just get into something else.
— Francois Nars

I know for some people an extended break from fitness would have them climbing the walls. Breaks can be a great way to get back to what you love. To become really clear on what’s important to you. You may realize that yes, you absolutely loved what your were doing and are willing to do whatever it takes to get back to it. You may have a new found appreciation for things that you took for granted. You may realize that some of the things you thought were so important maybe aren’t quite that important.

Of course you should ease back in gently, which you can read more about at this blog post here.

**Running through cold, snowy February**

Getting in scheduled runs
Still no scheduled runs. I runfess I kind of like the lack of pressure to train. That might change as the weather sloooooowly gets more conducive to running.

Grade Earned: A

Recording my runs
I’m doing fairly well with this, although sometimes it may take a few days, by which time of course I’ve forgotten most of what I felt on the run.

Grade Earned: A

Dynamic Warmup
In January I slacked on this because really — it was only a mile! Of course my shoulder injuries (thankfully short lived) showed it sometimes doesn’t take much to hurt yourself. The runs are getting a little longer, so I’ve buckled down and done it. It’s easier when running from home in the Winter, I find, rather than driving somewhere to run (somehow I feel as though I need to make up for the time lost driving and just get going which is silly).

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
Still rolling pretty much every morning. As always, before runs, too.

Grade Earned: A+

**I got my birthday cupcake; I also shared a *little* with Mr. Judy**

My Sourdough: someone had to eat it!

Nutrition
Nutrition was pretty good, but of course a bit of birthday indulgence and with more activity, more hunger.

Grade Earned: A

Cross Training
Yoga, running, strength training, walking, a little bit of indoor cycling. I think I’m good!

Grade Earned: A+

February 2021 gets . . .
. . . an A. I didn’t know how I would feel in February (other than tired, cold — that’s just a given!) and coming back from three weeks off running so I made my goals really conservative. I know that it’s better to ease back into things rather than dive right in — less likelihood of injury or a rebound illness.

January Goals:

Continue to run 3 x week. Y. It’s slow, it’s not very far, but it is running!
Listen to what my body is telling me. Y. Y. For the most part. As I felt better, it’s too easy to get back into doing too much. So far so good.
Ease back into strength training. Y. I tied this to my morning Yoga. I foam roll, I do Yoga, and then I do a very short ST session. Getting it done first thing in the morning is a great way to make sure it actually gets done.
Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. I knew I planned to indulge on my birthday, so I tried to eat pretty clean before that. It was actually easier when I wasn’t feeling well and most of the time just not super hungry. Better to feel good, obviously.

Which leads me to March Goals:

Continue to lengthen out my long run. I might end February with 4 miles — hey, it is what it is — and quite frankly with the weather, that doesn’t really bother me anyway. I still don’t see much in the way of racing in my future, so it’s all about rebuilding my base.
Do some longer ST. I will continue to the short practices in the morning, as it’s really working for me right now. Time to do a longer one at least a one day a week — on the days I don’t run.
Balance + Core Challenge. I did a morning routine challenge in the Facebook group in February; I *think* March will be a balance + core challenge. Join us here.
Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Always a goal. Over the years I’ve gotten much better at it, but it’s always a work in progress.

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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Typical February Week: 2/15 – 21 WRD

February 21, 2021February 22, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 42 Comments

Snow. Ice. Cold. Not nearly as much as forecast, though — in fact, much, much less (except the cold part). I was able to run outside twice. My heart goes out to my friends in Austin, even while I’m actually glad (for once!) that we live here and not there. I’ve been without power. I’ve been without water. Neither is fun. Throw into that burst pipes — yikes!

I am ready for some good news, I truly am!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.

Workouts update

Monday: Yoga (40 min), PB Legs (11 min), Dogwalk
Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), PB Balance + Core (10 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (20 min)
Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Easy 3 miles, Dogwalk
Friday: Yoga (30 min), PB Legs (10 min), A little touch up shoveling, Dogwalk
Saturday: Yoga (20 min), PB Arms (10 min), Dogwalk
Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 4 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 9.5 (+1)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Update

**This is how it looked by the afternoon when the temps had risen above freezing and the ice was melting. Made the shoveling easier, but I stuck to the mill in the morning.**

Tuesday Intention: just a touch of speed + more time
I chose a 45 minute intervals run today. I’ve been using 45 minute runs, but just running for 30 minutes. I continue to slowly increase time and length of my runs, so this week I wanted to run for 35 minutes. Which I did.

**Another cool ice photo. Makes plastic mesh look like chain mail!**

I kept my “speed” relatively low, walked the last 10 minutes, and then cooled down with a 10 minute indoor bike ride. I’ve been doing 15 minute cycles, but it was getting really close to lunch and no one wants Mr. Judy hangry.

**No killer storms here but lots of days with just a few inches of snow & lots of cold means the snow stays. Until next week when we’re supposed to get more seasonal temps.**

Thursday Intention: opt outside + easy miles
No wind for the win again! Which is good because it was just barely above 22F. Definitely took it easy, but a good run overall. Except for when I turned around at the end of one street and almost literally ran into a woman running on the wrong side of the street — I had no idea she was there. Otherwise uneventful except for V02 Max nudging up a little and my last mile being a pretty normal pace.

Sunday Intention: add some more distance (again!)
Another cold in the low 20s run, but wind not too bad and bright sunshine! It still felt more difficult than Thursday’s run. No idea why. Back up to 4 miles. Woohoo! Although I did stop after mile 3 to make sure Mr. Judy had been out to walk Bandit — he just won’t walk if I’m at home and Mr. Judy takes him solo, but he usually will walk if I’m not at home. Looking for me, no doubt. I was worried I’d get home and then have to go back out to walk him — which I do a lot — but I just wasn’t feeling that today. He’s such a weird dog.

Rarely seen sunshine outside; but no way to get Vitamin D from that sunshine so gotta get light somehow

Favorites of the week
I want to thank everyone, again, who took time out of their love day to wish me a happy birthday last week; I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Mr. Judy actually put his thinking cap on and got me a great gift: a new light box for the mornings. I’ve had a small one for many years, but the rechargeable battery was slowly dying. The new one is much larger. I still get tired in Winter, but I do think it helps! I also asked for something like a water pick — food is always getting stuck in my teeth — and he got me that, too. It took some getting used to but my teeth feel so good after using it.

He also chipped in with his family, and there are some new Yoga props on their way, too.

Of course birthdays aren’t about what you receive, but it’s always nice to know that people are thinking about you.

Favorite recent birthday gift?

How’s your motivation holding up as Winter grinds on?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a free virtual Yoga class here!

GWY Yin Yoga Hamilton

ICYMI: It’s a Hamilton Yin Yoga practice! I had so much fun working on this. You’ll deeply stretch your whole body. I will give you a quote from the play for each Asana (posture). I can’t play music from the soundtrack due to copyright, but maybe you can entertain yourself with it in your mind as we practice together. You’ll find the video here. If you’re looking for some inspirational morning reading I’ve got some suggestions here.

I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing something calming each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up February (just a few days early). Friday it’s time for some runfessions!

Running away from illness

February 19, 2021February 13, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 31 Comments

brestart1

There’s a fine art to returning to running after an injury or a prolonged illness — and they’re not quite the same. I’ve had a few times when I’ve had to take a few weeks off running due to illness. Here’s how I ease back in — when I’m being smart. Of course I am not a medical professional or coach and I don’t play one on the Internet!

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

When are you ready to return?
If it’s a simple cold, you might actually be able to run through it, although I don’t personally recommend it — because when you catch a cold it usually it means you’re already very run down. Rest will help you more than running through it.

If your illness involved a fever, *my* rule of thumb is to be at least two days fever free before even thinking about running. Unfortunately I get viruses where I’ll feel fine (after the initial few days of feeling bad) and then suddenly I’ll be running a low grade temperature again, over and over for a couple of weeks.

In that case, I did light exercise every day. Yoga. Walking Bandit. No hard cardio though — no running.

Eventually though I was fever free, and I was ready to return to running.

Start off easy
Easier than you think you need to. Light exercise while you’re sick will keep you in decent shape — but it won’t keep you in running shape. After a few weeks off, you can’t just pick up where you left off. If you have a running coach they can definitely guide you to the right amount of exercise.

If you don’t, I suggest starting off with 1 mile (yup, that’s what I did). Run/walk is a really good idea, too, although I didn’t actually start out with run/walk intervals. I know it seems like nothing, but by starting off easy, it’s also easier to gauge your fitness and potentially ramp up your running quickly.

Start off too hard or too soon, though, and you’re likely to either relapse — or even potentially injure yourself.

You can expect to feel some DOMs (delayed onset muscle soreness) as your muscles get used to the pounding of running again. Or maybe not — I didn’t!

You absolutely should be doing only easy runs — and at a slower pace than you were running before you got sick. Don’t worry; you won’t be stuck at this pace — muscle memory can kick in quickly — but overdo it at the beginning and you will pay the price.

brestart

Increase gradually
I started out with 1 miles, and then only added a quarter of a mile until I was at 2 miles. Then I jumped up a half mile to 2.5 miles.

I found my V02 MAX had dropped a few points — in other words, I’d lost a little cardiovascular fitness. I know that with a slow and steady return, I will regain that fitness relatively quickly.

Don’t worry, be happy!
Just play it smart. Appreciate that you can run again — no matter how it feels (hard, probably), or at what pace (slower, hopefully). You won’t stay there forever. It won’t take you as long to get back to where you were before you got sick as it did to work your way up to that point in the first place.

As long as you play nice with yourself and take it easy!

Do you have a “furmula” for returning to running after a few weeks off?

Do you run through colds? I actually almost never get colds.

Have you ever jumped back in at the same level you left off — and regretted that?

Running Pet Peeves in a Pandemic

February 16, 2021February 12, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 38 Comments

It’s always bpandemicpetpeeves better to be positive, but sometimes we just have to get things off our chests, #amiright? Running through a Pandemic definitely has not been easy! I feel blessed that I’ve never been on a lockdown that meant I couldn’t leave my home — even though I am grateful for my treadmill, I don’t want to have to run on it all the time. Which is pretty funny, like many runners I only ran on the treadmill when I first started running.

Wrong-siders
They are scarce right now. That’s people who run/walk on the wrong side of the road. It’s Winter, and while there are still people walking and running in the neighborhood, they are fewer and further between and it’s not so aggravating. No doubt that will change when Spring comes.

Running through the unmasked hordes
I understand that the chances of transmission are lower outside. I understand that even when I have to run around or even through a group, the amount of time I’m exposed to anything is actually quite small. I also understand that the reality is even a year later, no one is really quite sure how far droplets can travel.

people doing marathon — **Where are all the races? Will there be Olympic Games?** | Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

Races taking a long time deciding to go virtual
This hasn’t effected me too much, I was only signed up for one race in 2020 and I totally expected it would be canceled — they also had a very generous deferral policy, which was one of the reasons I chose that particular race in the first place. I know some runners were kept on the hook for a long time, though. To train or not to train?

People who walk around with a mask in their hand . . .
. . . with absolutely no intention of ever putting said mask on.

What pet peeves haven’t I mentioned?

What good running things have happened to you recently?

Looking forward to some real races?

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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Private Yin Yoga Class Giveaway: 2/8 – 14 WRD

February 14, 2021February 14, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 38 Comments

I visited my mom for the first time in almost 6 weeks, which made her very happy. It was a very busy, tiring week though, but I feel as if I accomplished a lot — including three runs, a tiny bit of indoor cycling, and some short strength training sessions. I’d like to say today will be restful, but I’m running and still working on some stuff — maybe tomorrow???

There is also a lot of snow in the forecast for next week. I’m really trying to run outside at least occasionally, but Mother Nature isn’t making that easy! Perhaps we’ll get lucky and be on the low side of the forecasts. I think a lot of my strength training could be shoveling next week!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.

Workouts update

Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, PB ST Arms (10 min)
Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (90 min)
Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Short Hike at Olana
Thursday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (13 min), Dogwalk
Friday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM miles progressive, CD walk (15 min), CD Cycle (15 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
Saturday: Yoga (30 min), PB Standing Abs (6 min), Dogwalk
Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 3.5 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 8.5 (+2)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Update

Tuesday Intention: work on endurance
Back on the treadmill. I was excited when I got up and it wasn’t snowing yet, but it wasn’t long before it started. Endurance run, slight walk to cool down, then hopped on the stationary bike for the rest of the cool down. The endurance run was 45 minutes, but I only ran 30 — I think I like using the stationary bike for a cool down after a shorter run. Good to change things up!

Friday Intention: a little (very little) speed
I could have run outside. Yes, it was very cold, but not very windy and even some sun. I had a lot of balls to juggle though — or maybe I just didn’t want to freeze my butt off! I chose a progression run, keeping it very moderate. This did feel a tiny bit harder than the endurance run on Monday (same amount of time). I again enjoyed a cool down cycle.

**This is what 59 looks like. Notice the rabbit tracks behind me.**

Sunday Intention: add some more distance
I had many lovely birthday gifts today, but not gonna lie: this was one of the best. a run that felt pretty darn good. It’s still relatively short and slow, but my longest run in over a month. I realized on this gray day, that the lack of wind is even better than sun in Winter, although of course both would be lovely. Now unfortunately it’s time to batten down the hatches and most likely more treadmill runs if the forecasts for next week are to be believed.

Favorites of the week
I took my portable diffuser with me on the road to my mom. I loved using it in the car! I also wanted to show it to my mom to see if she’d have any interest in it.

**Flour. Salt. Water. Baking Soda. Pretty amazing!**

For months every morning I’d get up and say “this is the day I’m going to start a sourdough starter again”. It’s really not that hard. But I didn’t do it. Until finally I did. It didn’t go moldy this time. I made sourdough pancakes from the discard again. Yesterday I finally baked my first loaf!

**Bandit channeling Lola. So many memories of her (and Chester) popped up for me on FB today.**

How are you dealing with the snow (if you have it)?

Cake, cupcake, donuts, cookies, brownies? What’s your favorite dessert?

If you bake sourdough bread, what do you do with the discard?

gwy MR yin

ICYMI: A “short” Yin Yoga practice that will ground you and energize you for your day. This is the last piece of my morning routine practices. Yes, it’s longer, but today is Valentine’s Day so maybe try this for an afternoon energy burst! I don’t suggest doing this practice in the evening because it’s designed to be energizing. You’ll find the video here. You can also read a blog post about morning routines here for a little more information.

I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing at least one of these routines each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!

Coming up on Tuesday: Five Pandemic Running Pet Peeves. Friday I’ll share how to ease back into running after an illness — which is a little different from coming back from injury..

Running is silly!

February 12, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 29 Comments

Seriously I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought that since I started to run. Running is time consuming, especially if you train to race longer distances. It requires support from your loved ones, whether that’s just time to run or helping out with chores or being your literal support crew! Running can be hard on the body, too. It seems silly to spend hours out there on the weekend running, doesn’t it?

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

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So why do I run?
That’s also something I’ve pondered many times. Just this past January, when I took one of my longest breaks from running because I wasn’t feeling well — it freed up so much time!

My answer might surprise you. I could say that I miss the endorphins, and if there’s ever been a time we need those endorphins, it’s been the past year (and present). I could say that I miss being able to indulge just a little more in my food choices. I could say that I miss the challenge of running — of training for a race and then laying it all out on the road.

All the above is true. Yet they’re not the real reasons why I run.

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I run to keep my heart happy
Did you know that heart disease is the Number One killer of women? According to this post on WebMD here, deaths from heart disease for women “exceeds the next seven causes of death combined”. That is a staggering statistic!

Luckily heart disease does not (sort of) run in my family, although I did have one aunt who had a major heart attack in her mid eighties, no doubt in part brought on by decades of smoking. I also had an uncle who died on my birthday from a heart attack — also a smoker, and obese as well. High blood pressure runs on my mom’s side of the family, too.

When I was sick last month for a few hours I was very nauseous and dizzy. At the time it never entered my mind that I could be having a heart attack — but later I realized that those are some of the classic signs of heart attacks in women. Those symptoms quickly passed, and I slowly got better. It wasn’t until a week later that thoughts of heart attacks & the symptoms women feel entered my mind.

The heart is one of the strongest muscles in the body
Yes, the heart is a muscle. Like all muscles, it needs to be trained — that’s exactly what cardiovascular exercise is. After years of data from my Garmin, I know that the quickest (maybe not the easiest) way to increase my respiration and heart rate (cardio) is running.

I wan to keep my heart happy, and that is one of the things that makes me think maybe running isn’t so silly after all.

What are the reasons you run?

Did you know heart disease is the #1 killer of women?

Do you ever think running is silly?

gwy MR intro

ICYMI: I’ll bet that you’ve heard of morning routines and thought they just weren’t for you or they take too much time. How about just 5 minutes? We all have 5 minutes! Check out the five different, 5 minute videos (start with the introduction here). You can choose between:

Stretching
Journaling
Pranayama
Mediation
Foam Rolling

The only longer practice is the video on foam rolling — if you’re interested, you’ll find that here. This is close to the routine I do before I run. I actually use a different foam roller, and I do one leg at a time when I’m getting ready to run. I also do some work on my IT band and upper body that I left out in this video — it’s still a good full body foam rolling routine before a run!

You can choose just one of these practices, or stack one or two — or more — together. I released these this weekend since it’s Valentine’s Day. All love starts with self love, and giving yourself a little self care in the morning is a form of self love, whether your solo or in a relationship. I challenge you to give one of these practices a try — maybe even join the Facebook group here — I’m going to be challenging you in there, too!

Chocolaterunsjudy in 5 words

February 9, 2021February 15, 2021 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 27 Comments

Been reading this blog for years? Do you think you know me? Do you really know me? Can I really describe myself in just five words? I’ll share some takeaways for you, too.

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Persistent
There was a time in my running “career” that I ran quite a few halfs at basically the same finish time. While I’ll never be a fast runner, I had a deep conviction inside that there was a fast-er runner inside of me.

So I ran, and I trained, and I raced. Then one year I had my breakthrough year where I ran 4 halfs , each one faster than the last.

Takeaway: training always pays off — but on its own timetable

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Consistent
I am very consistent, unless I’m sick or injured. I run, however many days a week feels right to me. I run in bad weather. I run on the treadmill. I’ve always said consistency is my super power — I show up and do the work.

Takeaway: consistency always pays off, just like persistence!

Introverted
I am shy when I first meet people, although sometimes that also causes me to talk too much from nervousness. I’ve also led groups (weight watchers, yoga, meetups for designers) — I can do it, but being “on” is very draining for me. So it might surprise you that I actually do love running in a group. I turn into a real chatty cathy!

Takeaway: don’t judge a book by its cover. Or someone you’ve just met (or while you’re running together).

Laser Focused
If it’s something I’m interested in? I go all out. I pour my heart and soul into the things I love. The things that don’t interest me? Let’s just say I know I need to do those things, but sometimes I struggle with motivating myself.

Takeaway: sometimes that laser focus gets in the way of the things that have to get done

Open to New Ideas
I love trying stuff! Food. Clothes. Styles of Yoga. Ways to train for running. I actually think this is another of my super powers when it comes to running. It keeps it fresh, anyway! I think the worst thing a runner can do is run the same distance on the same route day after day. Shake it up! Keep what works and throw out what doesn’t. Always have a beginner’s mind — be willing to try and learn new things.

Takeaway: it’s a super power and a curse — because sometimes trying new things costs $$$

What do you think? Do you feel as though you know me a little better now? What words come to mind when you think of me? What words did you — or would you — use to describe yourself? As a runner? As a person? What are your super powers?

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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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