I made my escape from my parents last weekend, went back early Monday with the intention of leaving Wednesday morning after taking my mom to her doctor’s appointment on Tuesday — an aid came to work on Tuesday and although she’s an aid for the house and not a nurse, and doesn’t drive as we were told she would, she’s still a big help.
Unfortunately, but fortunately, we were finally able to get her a primary care doctor’s appointment late Wednesday afternoon, so I had to stay over another night. Doctor appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours to get the aid set up. Visiting nurses, physical therapists, and oh, learning how to use a glucometer. Fun times.
My weekly mileage is not at all where I want it to be — I was going to run some recovery miles today, but after my sweatfest Saturday I knew it wasn’t happening. I need to squeeze in a whole lot of miles and a bunch of other stuff into the coming week, including an 11 mile run on Friday (no time for it on the weekend).
I do think I’m doing enough to get by, but it seems ironic that I’m not injured at all, and I’m still struggling to get my runs in!
In some ways this week it was even more challenging to stay active, but I did my best. I’m wrapping it up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin because you just never know who you might inspire.
Workouts update
- Monday: quiet labor day with my parents, after the 90 minute drive early in the morning
- Tuesday: 5 miles “easy” in the evening, only time I could get out
- Wednesday: 3 easy miles, Pahla B Stretch and Strengthen yoga
- Thursday: Pahla B Beginner Dumbell Workout, drive back home after super stressful day
- Friday: Dogwalk, Pahla B 5×5 Core
- Saturday: Maddie’s Mark 5k + 5 miles later in the day (too late!)
- Sunday: Dogwalk
Mileage: 16.1 (-.5)
TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
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
Between setting up the aid and my mother’s doctor appointment, it was a long day. So naturally I left for a run at the time I would normally be eating dinner.
It was warm and humid, but not terrible, and lots of cloud cover. I set off thinking I’d do 3 miles through Vassar College, and then ended up running to Arlington, the town on the other side of Vassar — a total of 5 miles. I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to run again.
They were slow, and hot, but not too terrible, and yes, I saw my friends the doe and its fawn again.
Wednesday
With the aid there, I went for a run in the morning. It wasn’t as humid and there was a slight breeze. Still slow, but I was encouraged a little bit that it was better at least. Oh, I’d meant to bring my small Flipbelt water bottle (Amazon affiliate link) with me (it fits into a Skirtsports skirt pocket), but of course forgot it — as in totally forgot to bring it with me from home.
No worries, I had my large handheld Camelbak water bottle (Amazon Affiliate link) with me. Probably a good thing — no worries about running out of water!
Saturday
In the morning I ran Maddie’s Mark 5k with my friend and neighbor. It’s one of my favorite 5ks and I usually do quite well at it, but they keep moving it earlier in the year and it was a hot and humid day. I’ll recap it Tuesday, and while it was fun, it was also my slowest finish time for this particular 5k.
Around 3 pm I set out to finish up my miles with 5 miles. I didn’t look at the weather, and that was probably a good thing — by the time I finished, it was 86 degrees, feels like 91. That run ranks right up there with ZOOMA Annapolis last year, but thankfully it was only 5 miles.
I didn’t bring enough water with me (about 10 ounces), but thankfully I had peanut butter pretzels and some Gogosqueez with me.
I tried to tell myself that all these hot, miserable runs at odd times are going to make me stronger for my half in October. Then I tried to think about the 9/11 survivors, who went through things so much worse than I can even imagine.
It didn’t help.
I had to stop three times and walk around in the what little shade there was until I cooled down. I’ve never done that before. But it helped me get through the run without fainting or heatsroke!
Seriously, it was that tough
Favorites of the week
Getting home — and hopefully staying home until next weekend; that is probably my favorite thing about this week. It was definitely another hard week, y’all. Probably just one in a long string of hard weeks coming. The only good thing to come out of this is that it is clear to myself and my sister and brother that it is way past time that my parents move out of that house, and it’s going to happen. And I’m pretty sure it ain’t gonna be pretty.
Meeting up with friends I haven’t seen in a while at the 5k, and going to it with my neighbor, who has her own issues going on but kindly drove us (thank you, Mary Jane).
Getting at least a couple of nights of good sleep — finally!
Baking. It’s my other therapy.
Bandit is still coming along. I picked him up this weekend — which may not sound like much, but trust me, it is. I just decided to go for it.
At one point I was sitting with him in the kitchen and Gizmo decided to jump the gate and then stayed in there with us. I’m assuming that that means Gizmo feels more comfortable with Bandit, too, but who knows? Bandit gave him the whale eye, but he didn’t move or growl at him.
And that’s a wrap 😔
Still no question, but tell me what’s going on in your world in the comments!
Chocolaterunsjudy 
You really have a lot going on right now! My dad was sick this week too really out of blue. It is really stressful and scary too. Hope you mom is feeling better this week.
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I’m sorry to hear about your dad, Deborah. I hope it’s not serious.
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I’m so impressed that you were not only able to get your runs in, but that you ran a race! In spite of everything you have going on…
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I have a half in a month (I hope). If I don’t get in a minimum, it’s very painful for me.
I wanted to do a couple of recovery miles today & the weather was so much better, but after yesterday, I just didn’t have it in me.
Carpe run!
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Considering your half isn’t for 4 weeks, it seems that you are on track with your runs. But you know me, I run to the beat of a different runner. I wouldn’t have started double digit runs yet.
Hope things work out with your parents. My MIL will never move, She says that she will die in her house (she’s 91.) Old people can be very stubborn.
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My mom wants to, believe me & she’s not much younger than your MIL but the house is dangerous for them, as there’s a flight of stairs to get into it, & my father really is no longer able to take care of himself.
I need to be at a certain weekly mileage or the race will not be fun. I haven’t really gotten there, but as long as I can keep squeezing in runs somehow I think I’ll be ok.
If only we’d have had this weather yesterday my finish time would’ve been a lot better!
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Can’t change the weather. So we just adjust. With working, it’ll be hard to run much during the week. Too tired.
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I think you did well with running considering how busy you were. I’m glad there is an aide at your folks house. Yay for being able to pick up Bandit! It does sound like Gizmo is trusting him. Also good 🙂
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Well, I’ve only picked up Bandit once so far. But he has to get used to it — especially for winter, when we might need to carry him through to the car (I don’t like the dogs walking in the garage, we’re in & out of it too much and I want them to know they are not allowed to wander in there).
We’re really glad there’s an aide there, too. But it can’t go on forever, it’s even more expensive than assisted living. 😦
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I think you are on track for your next half marathon. Remember, less is always better than too much. I hope your Mom continues to improve and you and your siblings can come to an agreement of what should be done. I know that is a stressful situation and so is worrying about your elderly parents alone in their home. Yay for Bandit. Your love and patience will pull him through after all. Thanks for linking Judy!
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I know I’m doing ok for my half, as long as I can keep it up the next few weeks, I just like to be at higher weekly mileage. Or rather, my body likes it — a fine line between too much & too little.
So far Mom is improving, which in some ways is more of a problem, as she feels better and is digging in her heels more to stay put. And they can’t. They just can’t.
If they’d listened to us and moved to someplace on a single floor years ago, maybe, but even then, my father is just rapidly deteriorating. And of course my mom isn’t getting any younger. 😦
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I think you’re on track for the half marathon (as everyone else has eluded to). Your endurance is probably a lot stronger than you’re aware…and doesn’t it always show up when you least expect it? Take care 😉
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I know I’m ok for the half, as long as I can continue to get the minimum in. I’d just like it to be a bit more, but that’s life, I guess!
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What are you wanting your weekly mileage goals to be these next 4 weeks? Just curious because if you have fun during a half completing certain mileage, then I want in on that action, hehe!! 😀 Hope your life eases up soon and goes back to normal. I’m happy Bandit is finally settling in. I have a lot of faith in you and him!!
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Paula, every “body” is different. I like to be somewhere between 20-25 at my peak, although I’m still trying to figure out just what my sweet spot is. Obviously, at 16 miles, I am not even close, but it is what it is.
Life is not going to go back to normal any time soon, that’s for certain. As long as I can get in the trips I’ve planned . . .
How’s your mom doing?
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She says she feels fine, so I’ll just give her the benefit of the doubt.
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My mom has a tendency to not tell me things. And to think she’s superwoman, too. 😦
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Sending positive vibes your way !
I ran a race with 40 000 people yesterday, and really didn’t enjoy it. Too long a wait, too many people, too many walkers. I ran 5 days last week which is a lot – and too much – for me. Building in more cross training this week.
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I’d really like to be running more than 3 x week right now, it makes it easier, and speedwork hasn’t gotten done at.all. But that’s life.
I’ve also got to cram in a lot into 5 days since I’ll be gone for the weekend again — so positive vibes happily accepted!
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the race — you looked like you were having fun!
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My mom and her siblings are going through the same thing with my grandmother. My grandfather’s there to help, but they have aids coming in every morning and every evening.
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In our case, it’s really that their house has a flight of stairs they must go up to get in (although that’s really just the tip of the iceberg).
It’s no longer a safe living situation for them. 😦
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Glad to hear you still got in some pretty good miles despite being so busy. I’ve never done the “two runs in one day”…nice work! Ever since my encounter with a deer while running I’m really scared to see one again! Your friends like cute though, lol.
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I don’t pull doubles too often — I really do prefer to get my long runs in at one shot — but I’ve done it before, and no doubt I’ll do it again.
The alternative was to get up early and get those miles in before the race, which probably would have been much wiser, but I hate doing a lot of miles before a race!
I had a deer run with me one time, but other than that, most encounters have been peaceful.
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I’m right there with you in the struggling department. I can’t seem to find my groove right now and I had to stop twice on my Saturday run as well….ughhh, so frustrating! I’m so ready for cooler temps!
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Today is cooler, thank God! I’m definitely over the heat & humidity!
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Sounds like you have alot going on so even that you were able to get your workouts in is a plus. That 5k was a great training run for your up coming race. I just downloaded a podcast to listen to on my 11 mile run. You should try that.
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I don’t listen to anything. It looks like it should actually be a fairly nice day on Friday — gotta leave early sat morning so gotta get it done!
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I’m really amazed that you’re running and racing no less with all the things going on! This will mean good things for your half!! Good for you for finishing those miles on Saturday after the race. That was tough but that persistence will help you.
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Running is truly one of the ways I destress. Otherwise, I’m not sure I’d still be doing it!
The race is really fairly low key and it’s for a good cause, plus it was a lot of fun to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in a while.
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I think you did really well getting your runs in with all that going on! I hope your Mom is feeling better. That is good you got to the run the 5K 🙂
I love the sparkle skirt! so cute.
Hopefully this week you can get away from that barely doing enough feeling, I don’t when I feel like that. I am going through a bout of that myself, but I am not doing much for real LOL
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Actually, this week, since I have to be away again next weekend & we have a lot to do then, I’m trying to cram all my runs into 5 days. The good news is that my run on Friday is 11 miles, so the other ones can be shorter (and the weather is MUCH better).
I know I’m doing the best I can, and I know it’s enough that I ought to be able to run my half pain free; it’s just so frustrating that really all I need is that fourth run and I just can’t do it right now. 😦
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You are still getting in your quality miles and sometime less is more:) You are going to do great with your next half!! I hope your Mom’s health continues to improve– I cannot imagine how tough that must be!
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Really, what I’m missing is that fourth run . . . but just getting in those 3 each week have been a major challenge lately. It is what it is.
I don’t really have great expectations about my half, as it’s AZ and will be far hotter than here, even if it’s dry. But as long as I actually get to go & run it, I’ll be happy camper.
My mom is improving. But it’s just crystalized for all of us (except my parents, of course), that they must move.
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You did have a lot going on but hey squeezed in a race too! Very impressive I’d say! I love the wild sparkle skirt on you Judy that is so cute!!!
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Thank you, Tricia, I bought that skirt a while ago but this was its first race. 🙂
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