Horses, Hills & Snakes, Oh My!: 4/10- 16 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

This week went down a lot like my last couple of weeks: nothing great, nothing terrible.

Running was hard this week. Some weeks are just like that. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? A lot of my friends were racing this weekend, but I couldn’t.

I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin so we can all inspire each other to stay active.

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: Dogwalk, Pilates Rapid Results Arms, Total Body & Stretch, Iron Strength Glute Blaster, JY Hips & Calf Reset
  • Tuesday: Dogwalk, 5 hilly trail miles
  • Wednesday: Iron Strength Abbreviated, 5 miles with some hill downhills, Dogwalk
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk
  • Friday: 5 miles easy, Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Pilates Perfect Body Arms, Total Body, Stretch, Strala Arms, Back & Shoulders, Working on my parents house
  • Sunday: 10 mile, hilly LSD, Hit Reset Yoga

Mileage: 25 (+7)

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 

Hopefully you can see how hilly it was!

Tuesday

Seriously, why has getting out to run been so hard lately? I realized I’d left my phone in my purse all night (usually I shut it off before I go to bed — really!) and it was at 17%. Plus I’d forgotten to charge my Garmin in the morning, too: 57%.

So I walked the dogs without my watch on and sacrificed several thousand steps. Then wasted a lot of time looking for the top I wanted to wear because summer had inexplicably visited for a couple of days.

I pulled up to the parking lot and there was a whole class of kids on the begining of the trail — who thannkfully I did not see again until I was just finishing up my run.

I chose poorly with my trails this fine, sunny, hot day: lots of sand, lots of hills. So of course I fell shortly after the first mile, but escaped with just a few scrapes, really nothing to write home about.

I ran in a totally different direction, pretty far away from the center I parked at, and started to hear a lot of bangs. Would I be blown up? Would a tree fall on me? Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened (it’s actually near the pistol range where Mr. Judy goes: apparently that was the bangs).

There was very little shade, my legs were suffering from some DOMs, and did I mention how hilly it was? And sandy? About the only good thing about this run was that it got done. And that I used my hydration pack (which was more annoying on my bare shoulders) so I was able to stay well hydrated. And I didn’t get lost this time.

Wednesday

After the rain finally stopped, I took Bandit out for a warmup. We tackled one of the taller hills in my neighborhood — running up the smaller hill, then running down the longer hill in preparation for both UT and Wineglass.

I dropped Bandit back off at the house, then continued on, to the even larger hill a mile or so away. I ran down it three times. It’s not really that long, only about .1 mile, but it is steep. Plus I’d actually done a very hilly run the day before. And was still suffering legs’ DOMs from my return to strength training.

I was pleased to see this run was negative splits, but I run fess I may have paused my watch a time (or two) and walked more than normal. This was a tough “easy” run on tired aching legs! Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to do Iron Strength Abbreviated in the morning, before the run. It’s a short workout, but it ain’t easy.

At least one day was a lovely day to run!

Friday

Finally some beautiful spring weather. And daffodils. And forsythia. Spring is trying to break through! I warmed up with Bandit again. Dropped him off, set out to finish up the last 3 1/2 miles.

Somewhere along the way I got kind of grumpy despite the beautiful weather — probably because it had been a long time since breakfast and I was getting hungry. I was running near where I like to throw in a fartlek because of the long row of trees. I knew I’d really been working my legs hard this week, so I did it, but I made sure I was just picking it up a little. It worked; I felt happier after that.

Course I still had to go home and walk the dogs . . .

Not often I see this on the trails!

Sunday

Hot. Sandy. Hilly. A little deja vu all over again (only it was even hotter, but actually maybe a little less hilly — maybe). I can’t say that this run gave me loads of confidence, right now I’m just hoping to finish within the time limit! The good news is that it’s highly unlikely (although not impossible) for it to be 80F in WA. Or sandy.

I think/hope/pray that where I’m running here is far more technical than the race, which is supposed to be slightly hilly, well groomed trails. I know just how hilly WA can be, since I run there whenever we visit my MIL, but man, a lot of the hills on these trails, even though short, are almost vertical. Between that and the heat just stick a fork in me. I was totally done by mile 9.

And this wasn’t the only snake I saw . . . 

I did at least remain upright, and that, along with finishing within the time limit so I can earn my medal, are two of my main goals. That and eating all the chocolate.

Favorites of the week
My parents’ home is close to being done as far as the packing up goes. I might actually get my weekends back . . . someday. It’s bittersweet and Saturday was kind of hard. I know it’s not my last time in the house, but it’s still difficult on many levels.

Chocolate PB Cup ice cream makes everything better!?

The first spring ice cream helped take the sting out of Sunday’s run.

New Balance Vazee Summit

 

New trail shoes — so far, so good!

And that’s a wrap 

link-up-badge

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:

What critters do you see on your runs? 

Ever tried a hydration vest? 

Got any trail running tips for me?

37 thoughts on “Horses, Hills & Snakes, Oh My!: 4/10- 16 Weekly Wrap”

    1. Um, 17 minute mile anyone? Seriously, the last mile was THAT slow. I guess I don’t suck at heat, but I do suck at heat + hills.

      The first snake wasn’t bad because I saw it, the second one startled me . . . little snakes don’t really bother me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. So if you’re doing a trail race here, you won’t have to worry about heat. BUT, I feel your pain. I didn’t say it would be easy, just fun, lol. Last year, it took me 5-1/2 hours to complete 13.1, and it was hard. I was still suffering with the PF though and I could barely walk when I was done. Still, it was fun, 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Kudos to you training on trails. How come when you fall, you’re not dripping in blood like me? Lol.

    I think my problem is that I run the same speed as on flat pavement. Running fast + falling = blood, bruising & pain.

    Nope on the vest. I don’t carry water. Is it necessary when you loop 3x??

    I do think you’ll be fine with a 4 hour time limit.

    My only advice is run slow and don’t fall.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, you HAVE to slow down, which as we know is not difficult for me. Believe me today was horribly slow. I’ve no doubt this will be my slowest half; which is ok.

      Running slower does make for a softer fall. My worst fall ever was on a paved path, though. That one was painful but luckily not too bad either.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I’m sure you’ll have fun. You have a good attitude going in. Besides the trip is not just for a race. It’s to visit relatives right?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes, it’s to visit family. So the race at least gets me out of the house, because usually we don’t do much!

        I’m just sad that Paula & James will be out of town that weekend. 😦

        Like

      3. Too bad about Paula. But there’s lots to do in Seattle. I was there for a conference years ago. Someday maybe I’ll get to go back.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yes, there’s lots to do, only they live outside of Seattle and usually it’s just sitting around in their homes. At least this way I can eat stuff without feeling guilty. 🙂

        Like

      6. No; that would cost money. And mean driving in traffic. We could use my MIL’s car, but then there’s the traffic & parking thing — we’ll probably borrow her car to go to the race (I assume).

        But during the visit that would mean leaving my MIL because she can’t walk around much anymore. Trust me, it’s very boring.

        Occasionally my SIL has dropped us off. But that’s the problem with visiting family (and usually my SIL has a lot going on).

        The real purpose of the trip is to see family, and we don’t see them much because my MIL won’t travel back east anymore — not even for her brother’s funeral last week. But sometimes it’s frustrating to be in such a lovely area and stuck.

        Like

  3. Way too hot today here in RI as well. 84 and windy. I did not go out. I hoped to, but I got in a couple of extra runs earlier this week so I’m still ahead of the game. It should be the only hot day this week, seasonal weather returning. Which is grand because we are on vaca (staca) tion.

    You are doing to fantastic. Those hills are huge!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Bandit does love his walking & running (Lola just gets the walks).

      The funny thing was his former owner didn’t walk him — said he’d lay down on a walk — this is the dog who’s run/walked 3 miles with me.

      I did have it happen once on a hot day, but I just have to mindful of walking them early when it’s warmer.

      Like

      Reply

  5. Gosh, I’m sure it’s good to see the end of the packing up work in sight, but, yes, certainly bittersweet. You really turn your phone off at night? I use mine for an alarm so I can’t do that, but I do charge it up!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The packing is actually better than going through it all! My parents were pack rats. And had a very large home.

      Yes, I usually turn off my home when my husband gets home. Of course I don’t have to worry about work trying to reach me.

      I also don’t have to worry about getting up at a certain time (normally), although I have an alarm on my watch if need be. I’m a early bird anyway, and am pretty much always up before my husband anyway.

      Like

      Reply

  7. Snakes? We don’t get them in the UK so I find them a bit scary! But good for you running in tough conditions- I’m sure that it will build up your strength and skill!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I didn’t know that about the UK. I knew it about Australia — right? Or am I being confused? I know they have all sorts of other nasty critters.

      Little snakes don’t really bother me much.

      Like

      Reply

  10. Seriously it was winter there like last week and you’ve already got snakes?? Mucho no bueno. I’d better not see any for a good long time. Preferably never. When I run trails, I let go of pace, pay lots of attention to foot placement and use my arms for hills power and balance on varying terrain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have to imagine Chicago is the same way. We’ve had a lot of weather whiplash lately. It got up to 85 yesterday (hence the snakes) but dropped 20 degrees in the evening.

      I had already let go of pace before I started to slow down as the hills & the heat sucked the life out of me . . . I did try hard to pay attention to my foot placement, but it’s hard sometimes when you get tired!

      Like

      Reply

  11. Forsythia is my favorite. It’s the first bush to pop in the Spring! That trail pic looks hot and hilly! Oh my, that snake looks big. I’m impressed you calmly took its picture. I’d be running away. I’m sure you will finish the trail race within the allotted time. Thanks for linking, Judy!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s