Kudos to all you moms out there who are taxiing your kids around all the time. Usually I’m the furmobile, as I like to call it. For much of this week, though, I was driving my mom around. Back and forth to the hospital every day. Shopping and errands. It was another intense week!
I am somewhat behind in replying to comments. I apologize if I haven’t gotten back to you. It’s going to be busy here for the forseeable future and I’ll do my best to read & comment on blogs — it just might take longer than usual.
Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner and just sharing juggling activity — again — in a stressful, busy week.
And linking up with Jenn @ Runswithpugs, Brandi @ Funnerrunner, Anna Louise @ Graciouswarriorprincess, Briana @ Matsmilesmedals, Meghan @ Meghanonthemove, and Elizabeth @ Trainwithbainfor RIOTS(running is our therapy)
Workouts update
- Monday: 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min), Soul Strolling
- Tuesday: Yoga (10 min), Soul Strolling
- Wednesday: Soul Strolling
- Thursday: Dogwalk, Yin Yoga (45 min), a much needed rest day!
- Friday: Dogwalk, 3 miles easy
- Saturday: Dogwalk x 2, PM Yoga (10 min)
- Sunday: Dogwalk, 8 mile LSD, hopefully Yin Yoga tonight
Mileage: 14 (-1)
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
Initially I’d planned to go home today. I asked my mom Sunday if she wanted me to stay, but she couldn’t answer (because no doubt she didn’t want me to leave), so I decided to stay another day — in fact, I ended up staying two more days.
I hadn’t planned to run, since I thought I’d only be there a long weekend, but I’d packed one running outfit and brought running shoes just in case. Good thing. For my local friends, it was like running around Lake George — very hilly, and no shoulder at all (at least Lake George has a tiny shoulder).
Good thing I didn’t hear that bears had been sighted really close until dinner that night.
Friday
This was one of those runs: the kind you just completely drag yourself through, despite perfect running weather. I had hoped I’d feel better after the run, as sometimes I do when I’m feeling run down initially, but no. Well, it is what it is, and it wasn’t so bad that I needed to cut it short, although I definitely wasn’t going to extend it, either.
Sunday
I had the dogs on my own, and there was no way I could do a long run Saturday & attend the party (more on that in the favorites) — I would have been gone at least 7 hours. Just doesn’t work for Lola, and she’s been quirky enough lately.
So I went to the party and ran today. I finally got a really good night of sleep, much needed (Friday Lola woke me up at 11, and I had a very hard time getting back to sleep — even if I’d been able to run Saturday, the body just said nope). Unfortunately that also meant I slept late, which had the snowball effect of me getting out a lot later than I’d planned, and wouldn’t you know summer was trying to make a comeback suddenly? It wasn’t summer hot, but it was 73F feels like 78 by the time I was done.
I happened to run across the snake above (almost literally) towards the end of my run. We had just been discussing fear of snakes at the party; generally I’m ok with little snakes like this. He seemed a bit angry, though, no doubt because the path full of bikers and runners were disturbing his sunbathing.
So it was a slog (slow jog). I still felt way better than I did on Saturday, and am very grateful I did.
Favorites of the week
Monday was a very, very bad day on so many levels, but the above did come into my email box at the end of the day. That was the one bright spot. Yes, I am a certified yoga instructor now. One that still needs to practice a lot at actual teaching! I have a lot to work on still, including developing a few hour long flows and memorizing them so that when I do get a job I have something to teach. Plus a lot of other business-type stuff.
My running group came together to celebrate one of our own’s 50th birthday this weekend. Or as I liked to say, her birthversary (because her birthday and anniversary are just days apart). I needed those laughs! The cake was as yummy as it looks; so glad she requested chocolate.
Getting back home! As much as I hated to leave my mom alone, sleeping in my own bed and not driving at least an hour every day felt really good. My father was discharged to a rehab center that is unfortunately a half hour away from my mom, and in order to get there she’ll have to hire a driver.
I expect to be going back and forth on the regular while he’s there so I can take her at least once a week. We have no idea how long he’ll be there, and even if he’ll be able to come back home to the apartment when he has finished with rehab. Getting old can be really ugly.
Are you part of the sandwich generation — sandwiched between the demands of kids and aging parents? I suppose I’m lucky it’s just the aging parents.
What was your proudest moment from this week?
Are you good at memorizing things? I never was. It definitely hasn’t improved with age!
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Wow I can not even imagine how exhausting and emotionally taxing it is with your parents. I guess that is something we will all have to deal with at some point although I do not think about. Congrats again on passing your yoga cert-a fun new chapter for you!
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Yup, both physically & mentally exhausting. And not over. Not by a long shot . . . but yup, again, for most of us, that’s life.
Well, yoga will be exciting if I have time to actually get around to it! At least this mostly happened after all the work was done (although it happened right as I was studying for the final test & filming my practicum – not exactly how I imagine that going!).
I almost thought about writing about how we all need to think about these things ahead of time for next Friday, but I came up with another topic on the run. I should,though, too many people just don’t & it’s so, so important.
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You know what, Judy? I’m scared to get old. I think that’s why I’m obsessed about doing ALL THE THINGS while I can. The running. The waterskiing. The crossfit. The yoga. Spending time with my boys. The traveling. I know that I can’t stop the clock, but I’m going to do my darndest to keep myself healthy, as much as I can control it. It’s hard to see my parents ‘old’. They are only 20 years older than me but I see my future…
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My parents are almost 40 years older than me. Trust me, it’s terrifying. But not everyone ages that way, and yup, like you, I’m doing my damndest to age well. The hard part is not all my loved ones are, so . . .
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I can imagine the stress of helping with you aging parents is really tough. Sending you strength!
Oh wow that snake…scary! And bears..oh my. Be careful out there!
Congratulations on passing your yoga teacher training, that’s so awesome.
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Thank you for the strength! I need it!
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Getting old is scary. I wonder who will take care of me
Your parents are lucky to have you and your sister. And you are lucky that your parents are still around.
Highlight of my week was sleeping in my own bed. The only week out of 9.
And running 16 miles which wasn’t as bad as I feared.
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At least you have stepsons. And probably grandkids at some point. We have nothing, other than nieces & nephews, whom we’re not very close to, although they are all very nice. I worry about that a lot.
Well, if I can run 18, you know you can run 16. 🙂 Your’e on your own for 20, LOL!
At least the you get to sleep in hotels, not beds that are literally decades old in an extremely hot room (and an apartment filled with clutter).
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Unfortunately my stepsons would not take care of me.
I’m a very poor sleeper. Get very little sleep in hotels. But I’m not one who ever gets a lot of sleep. So I guess that’s good.
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Judy, don’t worry about responding to comments. You have given so many good, insightful comments, I don’t think anyone keeps score!
Glad you had no bear encounter to report! And you are so kind to stay with your mom when she needs you. You will never regret it. As my mom used to say “Getting old ain’t for sissies!”
Congrats on the official certification. I want to take one of your yoga classes! That is a huge achievement. So cool!
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Congratulations on getting your yoga certificate! I can memorize things, but memorizing a yoga glow would be hard. We had to memorize “forms” in TKD but they were only a few minutes long. Sorry about your parents— you are being a great daughter.
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Thanks, Coco. Not so sure about the great daughter part, but I do my best.
Once you’re an experienced teacher, it’s not really as important to memorize, because it’s easier to go with the flow, :), and change things up on the fly. I am definitely not at that point, not at all yet, it just takes experience (lots of experience!).
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Well you know about situation with my mom. I do understand what you are going through. It is exhausting. My mother has daughters to take care of her and I wonder who will take care of me. Right now I am enjoying my time with her because who knows what will happen tomorrow.
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Yup, I’m sorry that we’re both going through this! It’s not my first time at this rodeo, but it’s the first time that my mom no longer drives.
And yup, I’m right there with you, but more worried about who will take care of me, if I should need that. Because I’m getting close to 60, and I can’t just bury my head in the sand like so many people seem to do. So much beyond our control, which is why I try to control the things I can.
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It is my first time going through this and I have definitely learned a lot. I am hoping my nieces/nephew take care of me. 🙂
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My sister continues to say she’ll make sure i’m taken care of. Since she’s 7 years older than me, I’m guess she’s meaning she’s talked to her son & daughter. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but most people just can’t be independent forever. 😦
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Watching the aging happen is tough. My parents still are in great health (late 70’s/early 80’s), but both are in denial their hearing is going. My dad is laid back, but my mom isn’t. When I tell her there is no shame in wearing a hearing aid, she accuses me of talking too fast and too quietly. I have learned to pick my battles, so I just concede this one usually LOL I was just thinking about the aging thing this afternoon on our hilly 15-mile bike ride in the heat/humidity. I’m glad I can still do these things. Our youngest daughter just learned that one of her best friends lost her mother last night.So, yes….we all need to make wise decisions now to (hopefully) ensure we’ll be around as long as possible. On a happy note, congrats on your yoga certification 😉
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Thank you, Kim.
I would caution you that hearing aids is a fight worth having — if you think you can get her to wear them.
It’s incredibly isolating when you can’t hear. I’ve seen that with my Dad, who actually is good about wearing his, but is basically almost deaf. He can’t talk on the phone, so my mom can’t even talk him when she can’t go there. And her hearing is rapidly going downhill, too, she’s met with a dr but has to make an appt to actually get the aids, and I am pushing her hard on that.
Just my $.02 from the trenches.
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I always joke with my husband that we seem to spend more time ferrying our kids around than we spend at work! It’s crazy – my husband has the worst of it though as he is closer to the schools and where all the activities take place. I’m further away so I escape some of the taxi duties! Well done on your yoga certification – what an achievement! To new beginnings!
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I know how much my mom drove me around. By the time i was old enough to get my license, even though I wasn’t interested in driving, my parents pushed me hard to do it. I think so that I could drive myself around. 🙂
Thank you!
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I’m sorry your parents are suffering so many difficulties and glad you are there for them. Very well done on passing your yoga course. Let me know if you put anything online you want me to test run.
I just popped in to say very sadly that our lovely cat passed away today. We had to make the very sad decision, supported by a lovely vet. You were so kind asking after him and so I wanted to let you know in this safe space (I can’t talk about it on my own blog). No need to reply, just wanted to let you know, and say thank you for your kind concern which I very much appreciated.
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Oh Liz, of course I have to say something. I know you thought Morgan was on the mend, so it must have been heart breaking to have to make the decision. I’ll say what I always do, because it’s true — it is both the kindest and hardest decision we ever make for our furkids. 😦 Big virtual hugs.
Thank you for the good thoughts for my parents. This has literally been going on almost since we moved here, 10 years ago. Things will be smooth for a while and then something like this happens. It’s definitely been extremely stressful, with a lot still to get through, and I’m already so very tired. 😦
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Thank you, you’re so lovely and I’m so lucky in my friends near and far, real-life and virtual (and in my clients, and Matthew in his kind colleagues). He became very unwell from what was probably an underlying cause (the bladder issue did resolve which meant we had some more comfortable times) and he became overwhelmed and had to make the kindest decision. It’s awful, though, as I know you know.
Much strength to you as you tend to your parents. Matthew’s are increasingly frail and it’s such an on-going worry. Hope you can piece together some time for you.
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Unfortunately that’s not at all uncommon, to fix one thing and find out there’s some underlying cause. 😦
Yes, unfortunately I know that pain. I still miss Giz so much. It’s been 3/4 of a year, and sometimes I still think I see him out of the corner of my eye. For me it helped that he’d had a really good, long life and was only really ill for a somewhat short amount of time.
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Sending you love and strength Judy! It’s very hard seeing our parents get older. I’m so happy that you are able to be there for them and help them get around to all of their appointments, etc.
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Thanks, Kim. Normally they have drivers where they live that take them to their multiple drs, but this isn’t someplace they go to, it’s going to mean some really long days, but what are you going to do? Has to be done.
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Congratulations on earning your yoga certification! Yes, it’s become quite crazy now that my daughter is in high school and either I’m driving her somewhere or my husband is. Both my mom and mother-in-law are in poor health, too, but neither lives near us, so we really don’t have a part in taking them to doctors and all of that. It’s hard, though.
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My FIL had dementia, and they lived (well, my MIL & SIL still do live) all the way across the country. My SIL lives very close, so it pretty much all fell to her. We went out when we could, but it’s hard.
I don’t live close enough for it to be easy, unfortunately. It’s a 90+ min drive to my parents, then its going to be 30 min drive to the rehab (which was what I was doing every day taking her to the hospital).
I guess I’m lucky that I don’t yet have a job teaching yoga, so I can be there. Unfortunately it makes pursuing a job difficult, but like most things in life, this too shall pass.
I’ll be going tomorrow so hopefully we’ll actually be able to speak with the dr finally.
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Congrats on the yoga teacher certification! I’m sorry that it was such a hard week with trying to help out your parents. It sounds really tough.
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It was — and is — tough. Very few get to their ages without issues. Thank you so much.
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I worry all the time about what will happen when my parents are no longer able to take care of themselves or start needing a lot of help. I live so far from them 😦 they’re lucky you live close and I admire you for all that you do for them! Also, congrats on finishing yoga training!!!
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I wish I actually lived close. I’m 90+ minutes away, so it makes for some really long days, although doable.
We used to live in TX, and I always felt we ended up back here for a reason. It’s hard either way.
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Congrats on your good news on becoming a certified yoga instructor!
I guess, I am in the sandwich generation; however, our sons are both adults and totally self sufficient and have been for years (you still worry about them, though). My husband and I only have my mom left and at 87 she’s doing pretty well. I live six hours away from her and my brother lives three, but we both try to visit her often.
My proudest moment this past week was meeting my goal at the Marine Corps Half Marathon!
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Oh yes, my mom still worries about me. I’m 57. I hope that your mom continues to do well! *I* worry about my mom, too.
Congrats on meeting those goals — always such a great feeling.
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I have no doubt you’ll be here for your next milestone and more. CONGRATS on the yoga.
Best of luck sorting out the rides for your mom and navigating that new normal. Signed, perpetually behind on comments
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I meant whether I’d still be in Albany. Sorry. 🙂
Thanks, Cari! Another perpetually behind person right now. 🙂 Even though I have a lot of time when I’m at my mom, I figure I am there for emotional support for her, so my screen time is still somewhat limited when I’m there (not to mention all the driving).
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Managing everything with your parents must be so taxing on you. So hard to watch loved ones age. I’ve gone through it with my in-laws. It’s important to remember to take time out for yourself!
Congrats on your yoga certification!
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Thank you, Michelle.
We went through this, sort of, with my FIL, too. He had dementia, far worse and younger than my Dad. But the lived on the West Coast, so most of it feel to my SIL. 😦
I am glad that I have siblings, that’s all I can say (even if my brother also lives on the West Coast).
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