Apparently skipping a run last week did me a world of good — my first instinct was to make it up later that week, but I decided not to, and it was definitely the right decision. This week I was able to get in all my runs, add strength training back in, and so far, knock on wood, I feel like I’m back on track.
Where I’m not back on track? Instagram. If you follow me (here) you may have noticed I completely fell off of Instagram. I just felt the need to do other stuff for a while. I’ll be back . . .
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin and today’s guest host to get down and dirty with a little potty talk. Nothing to do with running, but if you’re the squeamish type, you might want to skip anything after the first dog photo.
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, 6 miles (3 mile repeats at fast pace)
- Tuesday: 3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Pahla B Abs & Obliques, Pilates
- Wednesday: Dogwalk, Pahla B Metcon, 25 minute swim
- Thursday: Dogwalk, 3 miles easy
- Friday: Dogwalk, Pahla B Hips & Glutes, Pilates
- Saturday: 9 mile LSD
- Sunday: Dogwalk, food prep
Mileage: 21 (+ 5 — missed one run last week)
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
Well lookee there, a Monday and I got out for a run. And not just any run, mile repeats. It was a lovely, cloudy, cool morning . . . and I simply couldn’t hit the paces. But I finished and I didn’t die so it’s all good, right?
Tuesday
Two nice days in a row! Yippee! When it’s cool in the morning I can run before walking the dogs. Unlike yesterday, my pace was just fine. Of course it was an easy run and not speed work.
I picked up Bandit for the last mile and even he ran at a pretty good pace; I just pause my Garmin for every pee break — which is basically every walk break!
Thursday
See, I can run outside on a hot afternoon! Especially when there’s no threat of a thunderstorm. Well, actually you can’t see, I just wanted to get home to dinner and didn’t take a photo.
I decided to work on cadence during my running interval, rather than my walking interval. Lo and behold this was a speedy, easy run for me. Except I’ll admit it didn’t feel so easy. I’m blaming it on being right before dinner and in the mid 80s.
Saturday
Although I don’t wish my running buddy ill, I was actually quite thrilled that she was feeling a bit under the weather. #sorrynotsorry. We both didn’t want to get up at stupid o’clock, which is what we would have had to do to run with our group. Not only that, I was able to also run a bit with my other running buddy, who is still really struggling with running and I hadn’t seen her in months.
Most of this run was solo, but it was actually a lovely morning to run. Don’t let that beautiful sun fool you — it quickly disappeared, but the cloud cover was welcome, and there was a nice breeze — enough to cool you off but not make you feel as though you were battling the wind.
I wore my hydration vest for the first time (for running) since my last half (read about that here) and that was a great decision — I completely drained the 30 ounces. So note to self: at least 35 ounces for a 9 mile run when it’s warmer.
Favorites of the week
Our little group within a group has started a habit of going out to breakfast after our long runs. Sometimes I need to get home and can’t go; sometimes I just bring my own snack and have some tea; but since we started later yesterday I did eat breakfast. When we run earlier, it’s just too early for me to eat a meal; I get too hungry between meals because I eat so early, and end up over snacking. But everything is better with friends. There are only five more group runs before our half!
Nano Towels: I bought them on Amazon here (Amazon Affiliate link) after reading about them somewhere (a blog? magazine?). You use them to clean stuff with just water. I find that they work quite well, and yes, better than a regular microfiber cloth. I’ll clean counters maybe once a week with some cleaner, and the rest of the week (unless something yucky or germy is spilled), I’ll just wipe down the counters with these. Just thought I’d share. Always looking for environmentally friendly products.
Mini Bandit update: for the longest time — like, a year — Bandit refused to jump up into a car. Any car. My car is quite low to the ground; Mr. Judy’s isn’t, but it didn’t make a difference, we had to pick him up and put him in. Lola can jump and she’s half his size!
And then one day . . . he did. And although he’s a bit hesitant about it, he’s continued to do it.
In other news, since he isn’t super hungry when it’s warmer, I decided to try some freeze dried raw samples I had. Pretty much all my furkids have eaten raw at some point in their lives. Some days he inhales it and some days he needs some treats on it to get him going (Lola, by the way, loves it).
But something magical happened: he began to have almost normal poops. The poop department has not been good from the day we got him. It’s improved, but this is the best it’s been since we’ve had him (although still not as good as Lola’s). It’s very exciting. Seriously, all I’ve wanted for the longest time was just to be able to pick up his poop easily. Sorry if you’re grossed out by the poop talk, but have you ever noticed that having a dog can be like having a baby that way? Mr. Judy and I are always discussing that. Or maybe it’s just us.
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:
Do you have a favorite environmentally friendly product to recommend?
Seriously, how do you go to bed at 10 or 11 and get up for a 5 am run (I need more sleep than that!)?
Do you feel in need of a little eating reset? I’m working through one presently and I’ll share results when I’m done.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Great week of training! I get up a stupid o’clock on a regular basis and I have to be in by 9 (9:30 at the latest) to be able to function. If I stay up late, it catches up to me and I’ll come home from work and just crash.
Eating resets…..lol I don’t even want to talk about it. I’ve been trying for months to figure out what nutrition combination is going to work best for me so that I can train at my peak and lose a few pounds. So far, I can figure out the magic potion. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your updates though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I am up early. I’m just not out & running! And yes, I’m in bed early too. Early bird catches the worm, right?
It took me a really long time to figure out how to lose weight & race. And sometimes it works better than others. But when my clothes don’t feel right — it’s time to do something about it!
LikeLike
I love it when our running group does the run and breakfast. It’s such a fun way to catch up with everyone. I am so not an early morning runner at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m an whenever-I-can-squeeze it in runner, LOL!
The only problem with the breakfasts is that extra meal out . . .
LikeLike
…are you asking ME specifically how I go to bed at 10:00 and get up at 5:00 for a run (or, in my recent situation, a walk)? 😉 Well, I’m a rare bird (night owl-early bird mix) LOL I love the chatter about talking about dog poop, because the hubby and I do it all the time (just like when our kids were babies). We gotta know when the poop happens so we have an idea of when to expect the next “event” 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, no, not you specifically. 🙂
I know that lots of dog owners talk about poop. 🙂 Except my husband often is do busy with chores and then we don’t know . . .
LikeLike
LOL, one of my concerns with getting a bigger dog (Tiger Lilly) was what her poops would be like. Lucky for me they were very easy to pick up. 🙂 Lovely photo of your evening run!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lola’s are super easy, but then again, they weren’t when we first got her. But it didn’t take anywhere near as long for that to resolve.
I’ve never had a big dog. Gotta say I like little dogs = little poops!
LikeLike
With all that poop talk, I’m glad I have cats LOL
You were smart to skip a run. Glad to hear that you are feeling better.
Today was a perfect day. Surprised that you didn’t hike.
Yesterday, the clouds had disappeared by the time I got out. It was HOT!!!
I obviously don’t need much sleep because I never seem to be able to go to bed early or sleep late. Not even on weekends. I have to get up at stupid o’clock to go to NYC next Saturday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There can be poop talk with cats, too, for sure!
Oh, it was definitely hot later in the day on Saturday. Too bad you were working or you could have joined us.
But you love NYC.
LikeLike
Yes. But mine go outside and who knows where. We don’t keep track.
I do love NYC. But I would like to sleep past 5:30 am just once.
LikeLiked by 1 person
5:30 is actually late for me, but I also go to bed earlier than you.
LikeLike
Probably. I don’t usually get home before 7 and then I eat dinner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All these years, I’ve stuck with the dog food that was recommended and fed to both my dogs at the animal shelter. They told me it would make for good poop. They were right! It sounds like you had a very nice week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My dogs have always been known for their good poops, LOL! Until Bandit. Hopefully we’re getting closer to getting it resolved (it’s not a health issue).
I didn’t have to go to my parents as planned since it turned out they had plans, so that allowed for more relaxing. Gotta go this weekend, though, unless the weather doesn’t cooperate (because we bring the dogs).
LikeLike
Sometimes skipping a run can be good! I think our bodies let us know when they need a little break.
I am an early runner for my long runs, but I wish I could fit in morning runs before work during the week. It’s hard for me since I start work super early (7am).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lately I’ve been getting out too late for summer morning runs & paying the price in humidity! 😦
7 is definitely super early. I used to get to work at 5:30 many decades ago — but I was home by 1:30 (and I lived very closeby).
LikeLike
It’s the same with cats. Cats need to be regular, otherwise they need to go to the vet. I’m looking after my parents’ cats right now, and I can tell when one of them has used Allie’s litter box. Her poop doesn’t look like theirs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I totally agree (except most of the time it’s not a conversation between us since it’s not as important to know the last time the litter box was used — Giz has great litter box habits, thank God — we’ve had the opposite & it’s never fun).
LikeLike
I think Instagram is my most favorite social media outlet! I do love all the motivational accounts on there. FB has gotten to where all it is drama and sharing of things.
Great job getting back on track. I sometimes feel like if I miss a run and it’s out of my control it was just meant to be but if I skip out just being lazy well that is all on ME! Have a great week Judy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, it wasn’t out of my control or being lazy, LOL! I can be lazy in some areas of my life (hello, dust bunnies) but not when it comes to fitness — because it’t too important to me.
LikeLike
IG is my favorite outlet as well. Too much drama on FB and blogging just takes up so much time!!!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I assure you, you will never see me up and running at 5 am unless it’s in a race. I guess I’ve been taking a break from IG as well. Not planned but I guess just to busy to post anything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to run that early in the mornings in the summer . . . but somehow I’ve grown to love an unrushed morning. Although even getting out for a 9 am run this morning felt rushed! Probably because I slept late (for me — that’s 5:30).
LikeLike
I’ve become an early morning runner out of necessity – my schedule between work and my kids’ activities makes time for a later day workout highly questionable, and I’ve never been a fan of running at night. Good luck with your eating re-set!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only time I enjoy running at night is around December, when the lights are up, if it’s not too cold. Of course night comes around 4:30 at that time of year!
LikeLike
ha! well you know live on a eating reset every few days lol
I have been getting out later this summer because I am staying up till almost 10. in order to be out the door and running by 5 a.m. I need to be asleep at 9 and that hasn’t happened this summer like it should but I wasn’t training so I really didn’t need longer morning runs.
Afternoons are still too hot for me but i do look forward to being able to run after work in the next few months 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since you’re not training, and I’m assuming you’re staying up cause you want to, it’s all good. I just can’t sleep late — except sometimes away from home, and even then not so much — so I’ve got to be an early bird.
I’ll probably be out Thursday afternoon again — thank God we’re getting a break from all the storms! A little.
LikeLike