This week was still long, still tiring, but minus the snow shoveling, not nearly as bad as the previous week. And I had a nice birthday (more on that in my weekly favorites).
The best part? I slept a whole lot better than I have in a long, long time. And I really needed that.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin sharing my birthday week with you — won’t you share with us how you’re staying active?
Workouts update
- Monday: Pahla B ST, Pilates Trim & Tone Total Body & Stretch, Shoveling
- Tuesday: DM Flow, YTU Feet & Ankles, 4 miles easy (including 8 x 20 strides)
- Wednesday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk,
- Thursday: Dogwalk, 5 TM Miles (3 @ tempo)
- Friday: Dogwalk, Pahla B ST, JY Hip & foot reset
- Saturday: JY Calf reset, Pahla B Abs
- Sunday: 9 Mile LSD, JY Post Run Recovery
Mileage: 22 (-2)
JY = Jasyoga
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 updates

Tuesday
It was my birthday and Mother Nature finally gave us a break — for a Northeast Winter’s day, it was a decent day: no ice, no snow, the sun peaking out . . . occasionally . . . not during my run, of course.
This was the first time in a really, really long time that I’ve run a mile without doing my run/walk intervals (that would be the strides portion — still intervals, but no walking involved).
I survived. Which is why I love having Rachel @ Runningonhappy to hand me my workouts. I’ve gone out on my own with the intention of not taking a walk break on an easy run, but I’ve just gotten so used to my run/walk. The other three miles were all done with run/walk intervals, but it’s nice to see I can still just run — if only for a little while!

Wednesday
Another decent winter day, with snow in the forecast (but not much). I slept a bit late, I and I had trouble motivating myself out the door early (did you catch my tips on that very subject here?) when I saw the snow wasn’t supposed to arrive until 2 pm (even though I know my app is wildly inaccurate when it comes to start times).
A solid negative split run. I wasn’t really aiming for that, but when I saw I was headed that way, yeah, I made an effort. I was hoping that the sidewalks would be clear enough to run a slightly different route, but alas, they still had too many icy patches for me to attempt them. I’m getting really bored with so few places to run!
Thursday
Yes, I could have done this run outside. Only my neighborhood is hilly and my race isn’t. Not to mention the wicked winds making it feel colder than it really was.
And yes, I could have done it Friday, rather than run three days in a row (even though that was what was on the plan). Only I had appointments and errands at a time that made getting in a run logistically difficult.
I bumped up the pace on the tempo portion just a smidge, and the overall run was 30 seconds faster. Still felt really, really hard. But I did it. And didn’t bother with photos.

Sunday
It was a nice day for a run. Not the 60s and 70s so many of you are enjoying, and still plenty of snow on the ground, but it’s been a long time since it’s been a sunny day where I didn’t feel I needed to hurry through my warmup because it was so frickin’ cold.
The park angel deserted me — the bridge connecting the park to the neighborhoods beyond, where I did most of my running, was still ice. But melting ice, so I just paused my Garmin while I walked on over. Most of the paths were snow/ice free, although I did “run” into some black ice initially.
The first few miles felt easy; of course that didn’t last, but I still almost did negative splits, except for the last mile.
I don’t believe in failure. It’s not failure if you enjoyed the process. — Oprah Winfrey
I’m trying, Oprah; I’m trying. Some days — some weeks! — it’s tough. But you gotta enjoy some warmer weather, especially when it comes with a dose of vitamin D!
Favorites of the week
Mmm, red velvet cake. Seriously, what’s not to love? I would have liked to see more chocolate ganache (maybe I should have asked for some?). And since it was Valentine’s Day (aka my birthday) and a prix fixe menu, I got the dessert all to myself. I did give Mr. Judy a taste.
The infrared wrap. I had a foot massage — think a sports foot massage, as in hurts so good — and I thought I’d booked the wrap followed by a massage. Only it turned out I’d just booked the wrap.
Even though she didn’t turn it up fully, by the end of 30 minutes I was sweating buckets and getting a little uncomfortable — only I felt so comfortable afterwards! It was amazing, and I can’t wait to try it with the massage afterwards. If you have any nagging aches, this really does help.

And all the flowers. I bought myself tulips, because normally Mr. Judy doesn’t buy me flowers for Valentine’s Day (aka my birthday) because of the price increase — except this year he decided to. Two vases of tulips, two dozen roses! Good thing those roses came with a vase since I’d already used up our larger vases for the tulips!

And this protein breakfast brownie. I will need to tinker with it more, so no recipe right now. But it was really good!
And that’s a wrap
This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.
Let’s get the conversation started:
Are you enjoying the process (whatever you’re working on)?
Do you feel a bit left out if it’s still snowy where you live?
Share dessert or keep it all for yourself?
Love your nails, and the flowers are beautiful too – good for mr j taking the pain on Valentine’s Day! Not a great day for a birthday though😔 Almost as bad as Christmas!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually like my birthday. We didn’t go out to dinner for years because of it, but then one day I just decided I was worth it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ps happy birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Happy birthday!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you had a fabulous birthday and cake and flowers are always welcome over here. Love your skirt sports of course! I can be better at doing my yoga at home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am working hard at keeping up with prehab & ST — it ain’t easy, though.
LikeLike
Seems like you had a good birthday week.
Being sick is getting very old – not enjoying it. But at least the sunshine today made being outside enjoyable. I bet my paces now are slower than yours (not that I look at them.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being sick is never fun. That fatigue is the worst (actually, fever is the worst).
I’m quite sure even recovering you’re still faster.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday! Valentine’s Day baby, very cool! I’ll be interested to see your brownie breakfast recipe!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brownie for breakfast = very satisfying. But you do have to bake it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t realize that your birthday was actually ON Valentines day. Happy b-day and glad the weather cooperated for you. You look so pretty holding your flowers.
I still use run-walk intervals too but have been thinking of switching them up. I started the intervals after I had the terrible IT band injury. Right now I’m stopping to walk after every mile just to prevent injury but I’m thinking now that I am running longer distances I might switch it up to every half mile. I get so worried that the injury might come back if I push it too much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went back to run/walk a year & a half ago — I’d just gotten my Vivoactive, which made it easier, & my IT was acting up.
I didn’t do it when I had my first really bad IT experience about 3 years ago — that’s when I discovered taping, which really has helped tremendously.
Now I’m kind of to the point of wondering whether or not I still need to tape. I did a tough 10 miler without taping last week — usually by the time I get to double digits I begin to tape.
LikeLike
It sounds like your birthday week was a success with all of your workouts! And those flowers from Mr. Judy 😉 #beautiful I’m loving my current condition…injury-free, and about to re-enter the “official training” world in a few weeks. The current Iowa weather is certainly making me smile after that icky January.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Injury free is the best.
This week it supposed to warm up, but not 70s . . . still, hoping all the snow melts (because yes, there’s still snow on the ground).
LikeLike
Happy Birthday. Can relate to the issues you experienced running outdoors. Northwestern Wisconsin is still cold. But today was 58 & it was wonderful to hit the trail. Best part is although it was wet there was no ice! As for dessert, It is more common that I keep myself it all to myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Normally we do split dessert — if we get it!
Still snow & ice in these parts — some places are clear, was really hoping it would be further along than it is right now, but hopefully Thursday will help it along.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you had such a nice birthday and VD! Hopefully your snow will melt this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still slow going, our front lawn is still completely covered (we get no sun there!) although the back lawn is slowly opening up — which means the dogs are roaming everywhere again.
I’m not sure even with a couple of warm days (today’s high is only 38, btw) that it will all be gone, but I can hope! It makes running challenging!
LikeLike
Your flowers are lovely and I’m glad you enjoyed your Valentine’s Birthday. How fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marcia!
LikeLike
A fabulous birthday week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully yours can be just as fabulous!
LikeLike
I remembered your birthday was in February but didn’t realize it was on Valentine’s Day. Happy Birthday! The foot massage sounds heavenly. I have a spa gift card from Christmas I haven’t used yet. What am I waiting on??? Running coaches are really good in helping you run “outside of the box” so to speak. And it’s great motivation to realize you can do something you didn’t think you could. Red Velvet is my favorite cake. Well, anything with cream cheese frosting… Thanks for linking, Judy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, you have a better memory than mine! Although I do still remember your middle name. May not tomorrow, who knows?
I have been meaning to have a massage for MONTHS. So I understand. I think it was the wrap that really helped.
I’m much more into chocolate, obviously, but I do enjoy a good red velvet too — I chose it over the flourless chocolate cake option!
LikeLike
I’m still doing intervals, and don’t know if I want to stop. I like to break up the run like that, but my walks are still brisk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually do think intervals are good for you. But sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in them!
Alas, my walks are glacially slow. The dogs . . .
LikeLike
It’s been crazy warm here lately. Last week we hit the 80’s at one point. It’s really nice, but I’m sure that it means that Kansas is in for a tough summer (luckily, I won’t have to deal with that). I hope the snow melts soon and that the temps get a little more bearable. Running in the cold is no fun.
I’m in the process of moving, and while I am enjoying the whole ending up in Utah thing, the way there has been long and stressful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
80s. Wow. I sure do live in the wrong place. Even the forecast 60 this week would be a nice change of pace — but they like to tease us.
Moving is so hard. And right now we’re working on getting my parents house ready to sell. Also not fun! Gotta keep your eye on the prize.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday Judy! Lots of beautiful tulips and roses for you!
The infrared wrap sounds so good and I will look around in my area to find a massage place that offers this kind of wrap. This massage sounds like a runner’s dream!!
Congrats on Wednesday’s negative split runs. Love runs like this!
You look beautiful and happy in your pink top and matching sneakers!!
Have a great week Judy!
Hope the weather continues to stay decent for your running!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ilka! I definitely recommend the wrap and am wondering how soon I can do it again. 🙂
LikeLike
Happy belated birthday Judy! Oh, how I love some red velvet cake with that rich and creamy cream cheese icing! Yum! Congratulations on your negative splits run and your intervals without walking! That’s awesome ..it does feel good when we do something we haven’t done in a long time. Yay! for Mr. Judy surprising you with the flowers too …keeping things exciting! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you & thank you for reminding me that sometimes it’s the little things in life that keep you enjoying the journey. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so loving the chocolate for breakfast! Yes, I’ll take chocolate over many other things too!
I’m so glad you had a great birthday and hey I see your liking the coaching huh? It’s a little bit getting use too but I tell you I do miss Holly planning out all my stuff. That and being accountable to her and not talking my self out of doing certain workouts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t realize Holly was no longer coaching you. You guys make a great team! It is nice to not think about planning your workouts — just thinking about how to get them is enough a lot of the time!
I could do chocolate all the time. I have to restrain myself — I know that level of chocolate consumption is not good for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday!! Thanks so much for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-up. I love your nails and the Oprah quote too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Angela!
LikeLike