There was some unexpected stress thrown in this week, along with the fact I had to do a lot of running all bunched together — so that we could go see Andy Grammer this weekend (totally worth it). We haven’t been away anywhere since December, and even that was mostly just family stuff. Remember how long the winter was up here? Yeah, I do!
Oh, and the subject doesn’t refer to how long I can run, although I admit on my long run today the thought of 7 more miles — no please! Last week was a different story. It refers to how long I can do double digit runs without taping my knees? So far so good. They seem to get tight around mile nine and then loosen up again. I spend a lot of time on the run thanking my legs for being so strong.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to wrap up lots of running, a little hiking, and a concert.
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, 5 miles (3 @ tempo), PB Strength + Balance (30 min), YFPR Hips
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, 4 easy fasted miles, Pilates Abs & Arms, JY Hip Reset
- Wednesday: Dogwalk, 6 mile downhill repeats (8 x 400m), PB Strengh + Balance (30 min)
- Thursday: Dogwalk, Pilates legs, YFPR Hips
- Friday: 3 miles easy, short hike
- Saturday: Pilates Abs
- Sunday: 11 Humid Miles LSD, PIlates Stretch, JY Hit Reset
Mileage: 29 (+5)
JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
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
It was a long weekend. It was going to be a scorcher of a day. And I totally planned on doing this tempo on the treadmill. Until I walked the dogs. Made them all wait on breakfast while I got out there before it got too hot.
I was ready to throw in the towel about mile 2 (who am I kidding? I think I was almost ready to throw in the towel immediately). I kept thinking of the Skirt Sports ambassador whose family has been devastated by a road rage incident.
I pushed myself through the heat, and while I didn’t quite hit the paces, I was damn close and I’m really happy with this run. It would’ve hard inside or out, but compared to what Meghan is going through, it’s nothing (read about it here).
Tuesday
I did something I haven’t done in years: ran fasted first thing in the morning. Much like yesterday, that wasn’t the plan, but lately juggling all the furkid shenanigans has been interesting, and it just made sense to run in the neighborhood and finish before the sun came out (mostly).
I have to say it was one of those easy runs that really wasn’t (thank you so much humidity). To you southern gals it would feel cool — 70 with a dewpoint of 64 I think. To us northerners it’s still humid.
Wednesday
It was cloudy — thankfully — but not so much cool. Not really hot, but you could cut that humidity with a knife. Tired legs = slog, since I don’t usually run three days in a row. It may have been slow, but I got it done.
Friday
We were leaving mid morning and I had a bunch of stuff still to do, but when I let Bandit out it was so cool and nice that I knew I had to get out there and run — I’d originally planned a treadmill run. Knowing what I still had to do, I ran a little bit faster than I probably should have — Mr. Judy actually asked what was wrong when I got back (I’m not sure how long a run he thought I was doing).
Sunday
Chipmunks are normally skittish creatures — try to get a live one out of your house and if you run by them they scamper away quickly. Unless they’re doing the wild thing. And that was the highlight of my long run.
This run went along with the theme for the week — not really that hot but Humid!!!! As good as last’s week long run felt was almost as bad as this one felt — well, it wasn’t really a bad run. It just wasn’t fun and it was slow and it didn’t feel easy.
I snagged a new hydration vest at a good price — the same one I had, but the newer version, so I no longer need the shoelace to keep it from falling off my shoulders. Except there was underarm chafing; boo! I think I have a fix for that next week. We’ll see.
Favorites of the week
We set off Friday on our circuitous way to Tanglewood by way of Bash Bish Falls. It’s a short walk to a nice little waterfalls (actually, the highest single drop waterfalls in MA). I’d been as a kid, but didn’t really remember it. It was lovely.
Next up was Tanglewood. Again, I’d been as a kid a bunch of times — and definitely had memories of it — but had never really noticed the view or some of the other cool things around the park. We had tickets to see Andy Grammer. He — and his entire band — were amazing. We had really nice seats, but two ladies decided to sit in front of us not long into the show (they didn’t apparently have tickets to those seats, or the ones they’d tried before being asked to move), so that was annoying. At times we had a great view — I just chose not to take any photos.
Who wouldn’t like a cupcake sundae? It was as good as it looks. My plan had been to pick something up at Leah’s Cakery after my long run again. Except there was some festival setting up. It was unclear to me if I could park there and I’d managed to leave my wallet at home anyway, so I drove to a different path. Since I couldn’t pick up desserts for us, I madeasked Mr. Judy to take us out for the creation above. I did share it with him — and the dogs (well, Mr. Judy shared some of his pistachio with the dogs). If you follow me on Instagram here you can see a little video of the dogs sharing with each other.
Blog posts that caught my eye this week:
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 battling the humidity too?
Do you get afraid of something beginning to hurt on a long run?
Got any upcoming concerts?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
LOL at the chipmunks!
Humidity? I like how you said that you could cut it with a knife. Now, if only it would burst and go away! haha
No concerts coming up for me. I had Kenny Chesney but that got rained out and I couldn’t go to the make-up. I don’t even know who’s coming out anyway. Plus, they’re probably all on random days and out in Virginia Beach which isn’t terribly far but …. I’d rather stay home. 🙂
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Oh, that sucks that you didn’t get to see Kenny. 😦 Just insult to injury!
It’s actually quite cool this morning, lovely running weather — and of course it’s a rest day & we’re heating up into the 90s mid week. Sigh.
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It was humid today but I just went for a walk.
Kudos to you on running 29 miles in one week.
That’s way too much for me. I usually run half that esp in the summer.
Glad the concert was fun. Nothing on my radar just a lot of friend meet ups.
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It was a weird week as far as running goes, just shifting that long run one day has a lot of ripple effect.
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I just got a hydration vest for biking but not sure how it would be to run with. I was worried about the arm chafing as well. Someone suggested freezing the pack so it felt cold on my back. Have you ever done that?
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I have run with the previous incarnation of the hydration vest last year and never had any chafing.
I’ve never tried freezing the pack — I always kind of worry about what that will do to it in the long “run” — but it’s also pretty insulated so I’m not sure how much you’d feel it?
You’ll have to tell me. 🙂
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I run with an OrangMud singe water bottle vest and while it does give me a bit of arm chafing in the summer, overall I’m really happy with it.
OMG that cupcake sundae look simply amazing!! I need to look for a place where I can buy something like that!
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I love my hydration vest, at least the previous one — except for having to use that shoelace to keep it on my shoulders! It’s the same one, basically, so I don’t know why it chafed, but I know it would be really annoying in a race so I’ll definitely have to figure something out.
The cupcake sundae was really good, but I think I actually prefer the brownie sundae. Had to try it though.:)
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Nice mileage! I had a terrible week of running (not much at all) but I’m blaming the weather. It was not at all conducive to anything faster than a walk. Glad you got to see Andy Grammer. I’m not really familiar with his music. I hope you enjoyed it!
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Definitely enjoyed the concert.
Running hasn’t been super enjoyable due to weather lately, but it is what it is. At least it’s mostly going well (if slowing down due to heat).
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Yes, we’ve had plenty of humidity in Iowa this summer. It’s crazy how even on the “cooler” runs, when I don’t notice the humidity as much, I’m still a sweaty mess when I finish because none of the perspiration can evaporate into the heavy air. But…at least the wind chill is not making me grumpy LOL
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I swear I always notice the humidity! And it seems like it’s always cooler on non running days. I guess MN is just trying to toughen me up. 🙂
LOL about the wind chill — you’re right!
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LOL on the chimpmunks! Scooby’s been after one that lives in our yard somewhere … You just made me realize I did my 8 miles fasted – no wonder I was so hungry after!
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If Bandit sees a chipmunk in the backyard — and they’re abundant — he wants to go out every 5 seconds.
Can’t even imagine 8 miles fasted! Never happens. 🙂
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I ADORE Andy Grammer!! So jealous!
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He was great! If you ever get the chance, GO!
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I always run fasted when I run in the morning …for some reason I think it helps burn fat for fuel. Not sure where I got that from or if it’s even true. Lol
I would’ve loved to see Andy Grammar in concert! The last concert we went to was Garth Brooks, but my all time favorite was Billy Joel …he is an incredible performer!
Hang in there with your summer training …the heat and humidity is rough!
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There is a lot of debate on whether or not running fasted actually burns more fat.
I don’t normally run that early in the morning — my mornings tend to be busy with the animals. I used to, but it’s just harder these days.
We saw Billy Joel when we were in college! Actually, I had 2 dates — Mr Judy & another friend. 🙂
I’d love to see Garth Brooks but Mr. Judy isn’t much into country and generally doesn’t like the really big concerts. OTOH, we have tx to see Paul Simon in NYC for his birthday. But he doesn’t have to drive to that one. 🙂
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Oh my gosh! I’d love to see Paul Simon as well! Too bad he and Art won’t do one together!
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We saw him last year in Seattle. An outdoor concert. Even though it was the summer, which is usually nice, it poured.
Most of us made the best of it but Mr. Judy was not happy.
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My all time favorite is Billy Joel too. I’ve seen him many times.
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Bummer about your pack causing chafe. Hope you get that figured out. Yeah the heat/humidity has been soul sucking. I’m kind of glad I did not put a full marathon on tap for this fall.
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I scheduled most of my major races for the summer, which is very unlike me. One involves a racecation, though, and it’s been such a long time — I’m definitely excited!
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Great week of running! The humidity is always annoying, but I guess now that it’s officially summer we can’t complain about it too much! I’m still on the market for a new hydration pack…my Orange Mud is ready for retirement. You always go on these really nice hikes! I need to explore some new places.
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Well of course we can complain about the humidity, LOL!
Some of the hikes we do are duds — you gotta get out there to find weed out the good from the bad. It is hard to find the time, though.
PA is so beautiful — there has to be nice hikes near you!
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My parents have ground squirrels where they live, which is a chipmunk cousin. They torment one of my parents’ cats because they know he’s not outside. They’ll put their paws on the window and look him in the eyes.
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That is too funny about the squirrels! Is a ground squirrel a special kind of squirrel? We have a lot of squirrels but they definitely climb the trees.
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Yum, that cupcake sundae looks good! And boo to the arm chafing 😦 Hopefully it’s fixed for this week.
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I hope there’s no chafing this weekend too — it’s gonna be a hot one though (like TX hot!).
The cupcake sundae was good, although I like the brownie sundaes better. More chocolate. 🙂
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I had to chuckle a bit when you said Mr Judy actually thought something was wrong with you when you returned from your last minute run outside (instead of the treadmill)!
I know you had some kind of rough runs but you got them done AND you had a nice getaway too! Sweet!! by the way, I also have a chafing area under my arm that just doesn’t seem to heal. SO annoying.
The humidity is not so bad here yet. It’s just so dang psychotic. Cold one day. Hot the next. Today was gray/ cold in the morning threatening rain and blazing when I left work. MAKE UP YOUR MIND, WEATHER!
I do get afraid something will hurt on the long run and it usually does. My foot. I try to keep it out of my mind, focus on something else but it’s often on my mind. Who am I kidding, it’s always on my mind. Sometimes it already hurts when I go – I just try to push through. Other times I make it a good hour before it starts hurting. I don’t know yet if I just have to live with this or not. I wish something could be done. The medical professional jury is still out.
The next concert I have is actually in September. I’m going to see Garbage with my friend Sam. The hubs doesn’t like Garbage so I’m lucky I have a friend who likes the “harder” stuff (Garbage is not hard at all…).
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I have never heard of garbage. You’re lucky to have someone to go with!
It’s always frustrating when you have a pain that you’re not sure can be remedied (and usually has you wondering whether or not you should be running on it, anyway).
Mr. Judy wasn’t surprised I was out running, he was surprised by how quickly I finished. Which was a first, him being surprised by my “speed”.
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I actually saw 2 chipmunks carrying a chestnut in the middle of the road this weekend when I was on the bike portion of my tri. That gave me a little chuckle!
I’m glad you enjoyed the concert.
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They were carrying the chestnut together? I rarely see chipmunks together (and had never seen THAT before!).
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Cupcake sundae? Yes, please!!! The diversity of your workouts is impressive. My chafing is usually right under my sports bra. Ugh!
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I’m not well endowed and I think maybe I’ve chafed under my sports bra once. It’s often in my armpit, but this was actually on my upper arm (and seemed to re-chafe without the hydration vest today, despite anti chafing cream and a wonderfully cool day). It’s utterly random on me!
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Ugh! Chafing is the worst. No one would accuse me of being well endowed. For some reason, I just chafe right THERE! 🙂
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That is definitely weird — I almost never get it there. It’s almost always on my underarms. And sometimes in unmentional places — although that tends to happen in winter, oddly enough!
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I try to not even look at our dew point. It definitely messes with my mind when it is in the mid 70’s. I’m in awe that you run with your hydration vest. Mine (especially when full) make my heart rate spike. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a chipmunk. Lots of other critters come into my yard and/or are caught by the dogs, but not one of those. Hang in there with the summer running! Maybe we should start a fall countdown? Thanks for linking!
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I don’t train via HR. But I actually adore my hydration vest — I find it much more comfortable than any other way to carry water (or at least I did until the chafing incident).
Never seen a chipmunk? Really? Wow, they’re all over the place here. Bandit loves chasing them & looking longingly after them for like hours (if we’d let him).
We got a break from the humidity the last few days. That’ll supposedly change over the weekend when we’re supposed to have temps like yours — but if they actually have the forecast right (and when do they ever?) it might cool off a little for my race on the 4th (although it definitely won’t be cool).
Thanks for continue to nurture the linkup!
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