Happy no snow dance! And my sympathies to those that got clobbered again. I finally felt normal again and it was a very busy week filled with some fun things, some sun, and some great runs.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to show a more normal week of activity.
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, Volunteering with FTC, 3 miles easy
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, Yoga for Strength
- Wednesday: 4 miles easy Dogwalk
- Thursday: Dogwalk, 3 miles easy
- Friday: Dogwalk, YFPR Flexibility
- Saturday: 20 min mentoring + 4.5 miles easy, Yoga TRX Stretch, SB + PB 10 min Total Body
- Sunday: Dogwalk
Mileage: 14.5 (+2.5)
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
Monday
Today kicked off the Freihofers Training Challenge — it’s the local large women’s 5k (and was my first race, as mentioned here). I mostly walked with a woman who had never run a step in her life and didn’t know anyone there. Did I mention it was windy and freezing (literally)? I stayed with her all the way, because I knew if someone didn’t she probably wouldn’t finish and probably wouldn’t come back.
I know several other of the women in the group, but they were running in the intermediate program.
Anyhoo, after that I did another 3 miles easy. And before I left I walked the dogs. So a lot of time on my feet but I woke up with happy knees.
Wednesday
I decided to test out my knees with a 4 mile run. It’s been a couple of weeks since I ran 4 miles (from an abudance of caution). Happy to report that everything felt fine — and the next day, too.
Still taping my right knee, although it feels almost 100% — mainly because I’m beginning to push the mileage again.
Thursday
Not only did the last nor’easter miss us, but by the afternoon, when I ran, it was in the 40s. I wore capris. I didn’t need gloves. I was probably still overdressed. I found a nickel — the first money I’ve ever found on the run! And the best part of all? No tape, no pain. Priceless.
Saturday
Today was the large group for the Freihofers Training Challenge (yes, there’s still time to join if you’re in the Albany, NY area!). Several of my friends are in the training group. Several of my friends are mentors. I’m really enjoying running with the BOTP runners and encouraging them. It’s amazing the Chatty Cathy I turn into on the run.
Then I quickly booked over to the park, because I could see the bikepath still isn’t clear enough. I wanted to try for 5 miles, but I also had to do some grocery shopping, get home, change quickly, and get back out to try Yoga TRX Stretch — so I called it at 4.5 awesome miles. I’d taped both knees since I was going longer, and most likely I didn’t need to. My pace wasn’t bad, either. Must’ve been the sun.
The Giveaway
You can enter to win one of three codes for 37% off of one order at honeystinger.com by clicking this link. Three different winners will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter. Doesn’t cost anything to enter, and you have until Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at 11:59 pm (ET), to enter.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. 3 winners will be selected via the Rafflecopter widget. Open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Winner must have a valid email address. Winner will notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 business hours to claim prize. If original winner does not claim prize within 24 business hours an alternate winner(s) will be selected. Contestants must enter on the Rafflecopter widget in order to win. All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn. You have until Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) to enter. The winner will be selected Wednesday, March 28, 2018. The codes for the winners will be provided by Chocolaterunsjudy. Each code is good for only one order before April 1 at honeystinger.com.
Sorry for the short notice, but you need to use your coupon by Saturday!
Favorites of the week
This week I was back Wellnest Studios to try out Yoga Sculpt. I was expecting a relatively easy class. And despite the 2 lb weights, boy, was I wrong! It was really challenging. And my glutes were so sore for days.
I also did a TRX Yoga Stretch class there on Saturday. It was totally awesome. I will definitely be back.
Recently I read about and downloaded the Duolingo app (more information here). I have started out with learning some Italian. I’m loving it! It’s free, but there are ads — so far they aren’t at all annoying. They just show up after you finish a lesson and you just click the x to close out of them.
By the time you read this we should have seen “Black Panther”. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway above!
I’m wrapping it up with a few favorite blogs from this week:
- 3 Tips for Spring Running & Racing
- 29 Things You Should Be Doing the Night Before the Big Race
- Fueling Long Runs with Whole Foods
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:
Have you ever mentored runners?
Have you tried TRX? What do you think?
Do you speak another language? I was always good at languages but because I no longer use anything but English, I wouldn’t say I speak another language. I know some Spanish and a few words in a few other languages.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
How about that, I was on Amazon getting ready to order Honey Stinger gel, and decided to pop over to a blog to link through so someone would get the referral commission and thought of you. I clicked on your page and you’re talking about Honey Stinger! Go figure!
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Oh gosh, I use Duolingo all the time to practice my Spanish. I’m kind of stuck at 55 % fluent tho. It gets tough around there!
Glad to see you back out there again. Feel good!
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I took Spanish in HS. I was pretty good at it. I used it a bit when I lived in TX, but not at all up here.
55% fluent seems pretty good!
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Hooray for no snow this week! I am happy that your knees felt better this week.
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Thanks Kim. It was definitely a good — and busy week! I worried a bit about doing too much, but so far so good.
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Yay for finding a nickel. I never find any money on my runs either, maybe a few pennies. I hear these stories but people finding a $20 on their run. Where are they running?
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I’ve never even found pennies before!
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The Honey Stinger chews are my favorite fuel. I need to get some more actually! That’s really nice that you walked with a new runner who is hoping to complete the race. I am sure she appreciated it more than you know. Have a great week!
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There’s a little running involved — but very little. It’s a good warmup for me though! And I’m definitely enjoying encouraging beginning & returning runners.
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I’m glad your knees are feeling better! Our snow wasn’t anything major yesterday but it was not a pleasant first-week-of-spring celebration either. Hoping it’s all gone when we return from our trip 🙂
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It’s never fun to get snow during spring. We still have quite a bit on the ground — but it should start melting with some warmer temps.
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You probably know my answers. Mentoring is one of my passions. As soon as I became runner, I became a mentor. Back in 2010. I have continued until this year when work has prevented it.
I once found a $20 bill. I found 15cents today.
I almost went to FTC yesterday but was too busy. Not sure if I will ever go on Sat because I prefer to race.
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I definitely won’t be going every sat. I hadn’t planned to go at all on Saturdays — it’s time to start longer runs — but I may be able to do April. We’ll see.
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I don’t seem to have any knack to speak a different language. Sometimes English is challenging enough! I took German in high school, even though my parents tried to convince me to take Spanish or French. that’s one instance I should’ve listened to them.
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Funny, my parents did convince me to take Spanish because my siblings sucked at languages.
So of course I turned out to be the one that was good at them. Same thing with musical instruments.
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It’s great to hear your knees behaved this week and you were able to get outside (and in the sunshine!) for your runs. It’s very thoughtful of you to stay with the lady who had never run and didn’t know anyone. I’m sure she appreciated it. The most money I’ve found is a $20 bill. Sometimes I pick up a coin and deem it my lucky charm for an upcoming race. It’s never really worked. 😉 Thanks for linking.
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$20 seems like a lot to me! I know I wouldn’t be happy about losing $20. Knees still doing good. 🙂 I will probably run/walk my way into the sunset . . .
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40’s? lol that’s a heat wave! I love the honey stinger cookies. We were on a kick for a while eating them before races. I like your yoga socks! They are cute. I’ve never tried trx yoga but using those things for strength is a killer!
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I know; right? 40s definitely seemed like a heat wave today! At the moment it’s 49 & sunny.
The yoga socks I got on Amazon. I think they’re called Happy Feet.
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I love that you walked with the rookie runner …we all needed someone to do that at some point in our running journey!
The Yoga TRX Stretch sounds wonderful! I’ve used TRX before in a strength training environment but not a yoga environment.
Glad to hear you’re feeling better and running again pain free!!
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I’m spending lots of time with the BOTP runners in the group (sadly, the lady from last week wasn’t back today). It’s my warmup.
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That’s great news about the happy knees! And that’s really nice that you stayed with the woman new to running during the Tuesday run.
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The knees continue to be happy (without tape, too!) & that definitely makes me happy.
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I guess I have mentored a bunch of runners – I am always trying to talk my friends into joining our crazy sport! I have tried TRX briefly – I am considering getting a set for my home gym when we settle into our new house in a few months. I need to work on my strength!
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I have wanted to get TRX — but I truly can’t figure out where in our home we could put it without putting holes in the ceiling, which my husband is against. 😦
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