September was the month it all fell apart. In case you hadn’t heard, we went to visit my parents on Labor Day, and my Dad ended up in the hospital that night. He spent almost a week in the hospital and is still in a rehabilitation center — except then he ended up back in the hospital, and is presently back in rehab.
My mom doesn’t drive. The transportation where she lives rarely goes out there. So I have spent the better part of September driving my mom to the hospital, to rehab, sleeping over there sometimes, spending literally hours in the car going back and forth.
So I’m taking a little deviation of my Love theme for 2019. I remember when this John Waite song was at its height in the mid 80s; I totally loved this song, and at the time, Mr. Judy lived in VT, and I lived in MD (we were not yet married). This song really spoke to me. It’s still does. Take from it what you will (missing running? my home? my parents when they were still vital? all of the above?).
I hear your name in certain circles
And it always makes me smile
I spend my time
Thinking about you
And it’s almost driving me wildAnd there’s a heart that’s breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
Getting in scheduled runs
I have a feeling it will indeed be a one half a year year. Which hasn’t happened since I started running halfs eight years ago. I’m not sure if I’m upset or relieved about it, considering how rough this year has been. So still just running when I can.
Grade Earned: B
Recording my runs
September is mostly a complete blank when it comes to recorded runs. I hate that! It was just too darn busy and tiring.
Grade Earned: B
Dynamic Warmup
As I wrote about in this month’s runfessions, which you can read about here, the only reason I even attempted to warm up most days was because I was waiting for my Garmin to get a signal.
Grade Earned: B
Foam Rolling
I definitely miss it when I don’t do it, and let’s just say there was a whole lot of missing it in September. Like barely any foam rolling at all. I am still busy going back and forth to my parents for a few weeks, but things are a little calmer (we’ll see what happens when my Dad is released from rehab). Well, they were calmer until he ended up in the hospital again. It does look like maybe I’ll actually have a whole week at home.
Grade Earned: D
Nutrition
It wasn’t perfect, but in general I’m not a stress eater. I was often so busy I simply didn’t have time to eat. Every time we go through one of these periods with my family that’s the case and I usually lose a little weight. Mostly, though, I continued eating fairly well.
I had planned to do a little eating reset while Mr. Judy was out of town, but alas, I was only home a few days that week so there was no time and it didn’t happen.
Grade Earned: A-
Support
- Massage? Yes! Just squeaked in with this almost the last day of September and it was glorious.
- Chiropractor Appointment? Does teaching yoga to the chiropractor count? Seriously, though, I’m not due for a bit.
- Do I need a hair appointment? I’ve made the appointment, but unfortunately I have to wait a couple of weeks..
Grade Earned: A
Cross Training
Yoga continued strong. There was at least an attempt at some light strength training or some bodyweight exercising. There was also a lot of walking to fill in the gaps in running and other movement. Most days I’d go for Soul Strolls either in the morning or the evening at my parents — sometimes both.
Grade Earned: B+
September 2019 gets . . .
. . . a B. Doing what I could, when I could. Lots and lots of walking. Some running. Maintaining my weight. No injuries. One 5k with a 3rd place AG award. Passing my YTT and beginning to teach Yoga a little.
September Goals:
-
- Look at Fall halfs!. N. Really don’t think it’s gonna happen.
- Strength train 2 – 3x week. Y. I’m gonna say yes. I think I did enough light weights or bodyweight to qualify for 2 x week.
- Work up to 8 miles. Maybe 9?. Y. I have a feeling I won’t be doing the 15k this year. So I did get up to 8 miles but not sure I want to go further right now. Most of my running friends are either doing long races right before, not running longer distances, or injured. Don’t really think I want to do it alone with no longer race I’m training for.
- Working on practice teaching — and finding a studio to teach/sub at. Y/N. Studio teaching is on hold right now. My schedule is just too topsy-turvy. I am doing a private class to one student right now, and perhaps will do another class at a location that is top secret for the moment.
- Foam roll almost daily. N. I’m definitely not beating myself up about this, it is what it is, but my body is crying out for it!
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Still pretty much maintaining my weight. So for now it’s working.
- Meal plan on the weekends! N. I tried, again, but I never got around to actually writing where the recipes I wanted to try were from. Need to get back to that!
- A race? At some point?. Y. The Running Gods gave us some more awesome weather and you can read about it here.
Which leads me to October Goals:
- Strength train 2 – 3x week. This will always be a goal. As we age, we naturally lose muscle. Bodyweight exercises count.
- Do my best to remain in running maintenance goal. I have a pretty good feeling October will be super challenging in the running department, but I also don’t want to have to rebuild from scratch if I don’t have to. Will continue to listen closely to my body and try to make wise decisions.
- Develop at least one vinyasa class. I may not be able to commit to a class right now, but if I can have a couple of classes all set to go, maybe I can get on some substitute lists.
- Foam roll when I’m able. That might mean bringing my foam roller with me to my parents. Or just making sure I do it when I run at home.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Winter is coming. It’s a time I — and most people — tend to put on weight if not mindful.
- Meal plan on the weekends! I’ll keep putting this in until I get back to it. I actually wrote down a few recipes I wanted to make in my journal. Because I often know what I want to make but not where it is (Pinterest, which cookbook, etc).
- A race? At some point? Big maybe. I wanted to do a 10k, but it depends on what’s going on in my life. There are plenty of October races to choose from, though, even if I don’t do a longer distance.
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup
Chocolaterunsjudy 
One thing about running when life gets tough, it can be the only constant.
It seems like you still fit in those long runs which is amazing.
And don’t feel bad about not training for a big race. At least you are not injured like many of our friends.
Gotta look at the bright side.
Age group win. Yoga job. Kudos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not that I feel bad about not training for a race — rather something I’d actually like to do, only right now can’t. It’s frustrating. Well, choose not to because I can’t train the way I need to (nothing to do with PRs, everything to do with staying injury free).
LikeLike
I think you did great doing what you could while you take care of your parents — that is exhausting. I’m lucky my mom moved near us to help when my kids were little because that means she’s still near us now. OTOH my IL’s are in FL now …. I need a hair cut, my am contemplating finding someone new after many years, so that’s leading to hesitation and procrastination!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe i have to wait another week for my haircut, but it was the first opening she had. Seriously, it’s out of control!
LikeLike
I know that September has been such a hard month for you. You handled everything so well, especially your nutrition. I am a stress eater and would no doubt have hit up a few drive thrus.
I agree with Darlene – don’t feel bad about not training for a big race right now. Staying healthy and injury free is more important!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I once was a stress eater, but it doesn’t get me too often now. Which is not to say I never eat things I know don’t do me much good, of course.
I feel badly about not training because I really wanted to do another half/state this year. I also know what I can handle, and it’s very unlikely that would be good for me at the moment.
LikeLike
I think you’re doing great with your fitness, Judy. As you said, you’re doing what you can…who could ask (or expect?) for more? Hang in there….I love your Soul Stroll 😉 We all need those 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love my soul strolls! It gets harder to do as the days get shorter, though. 😦
LikeLike
Big hugs! Have an easy fast (if you are).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Natalie. Same to you (yes, I do fast). I’ll be going down to my mom, taking her to my sister, back, staying over, taking her to CT to see my dad, coming home . . . Oy!
LikeLike
You’ve had a tough last half of the summer/fall, but you seem to be taking it in stride the best you can. I’m so happy you’re enjoying teaching yoga to your chiro and can’t wait to hear what other classes you decide to teach when time allows. Subbing just might be the perfect answer for now, plus it will give you some great experience and keep your toes in the water until you have time for something permanent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The year didn’t start off well, either. It’s definitely been a year of highs and lows. But that’s life.
LikeLike
September was a really rough month for you. Sounds like a lot falls on your shoulders with your parents. Have the jewish holidays these 2 weeks probably makes it even harder. Sending my wishes for a happy and healthy new year to your family. With the meal planning, I fall off the wagon too. I suggest planning one or two meals out instead of the whole week. It can be much more manageable to start.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Deborah. I never actually plan out meals day by day, I just write down a few meals I want to make & where the recipe can be found (cause I’ve got a LOT of cookbooks).
The problem starts when I know what I want to make but not where the heck the recipe can be found.
LikeLike
You’ve been doing what you can – I’d give you at LEAST an A for all your categories! The physical and I’m sure emotional labour you’ve been doing is very taxing.
I don’t comfort eat but the meds I’ve gone on for my mental health crisis have a side-effect of hunger and I did spend a couple of weeks not paying attention to that. I have now resolved to make sure I do account for that, and I am also making a big effort to cover 10,000 steps a day (cue dull marching round the park yesterday!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, if I were on meds that made me hungry that would be such a struggle.
I shoot for 10k steps, but I don’t beat myself up on the occasional really low step day — it happens. Consistency & moderation in all things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you are going through. You do what you can. Missing a run or not training for a race is tough to do and that is OK. Take care of yourself and your parents. I never understood how anyone can get so busy that they forget to eat. Ha, then it happened to me. 🙂
Hugs to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I’ve been through periods like that with my parents before, when I was so busy I didn’t even have time to eat.
However, my mom is slow to get going, so I actually do have some time to relax in the morning when I stay over. But then I have lots of driving to do, so matter what, it’s exhausting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So hard to plan when your life isn’t your own. Hugs
One possible solution for foam rolling – the portable Stick. I bought it at an expo last year and since it fits in my overnight bag, it makes rolling on the go doable. Don’t get me wrong – still stiff as hell when I got out of the car last night and onto train, but way better than it could have been
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the worm. I reviewed it quite a few years ago. I actually prefer the small Triggerpoint foam roller I bought last year — I do travel with it, but I’m usually hauling so much stuff for just an overnight at my moms I just don’t bring it.
That’s really hard to run and then sit for hours!
LikeLike
Worm sounds fun just based on its name. JackRabbit sells a trigger point but it was heavy so wouldn’t work for me for flying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got the short, hollow triggerpoint roller — just fits into my small suitcase & I can put stuff in the middle, too. I have flown with it. Multiple times. Granted, the worm takes up less space.
LikeLike
ooh didn’t know about that one – the one I saw is a softball size and weight
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, it’s a lot bigger than a softball, but it is quite light. Sounds like you were looking at the TP balls, which are nice, too. They make a full size and a half size foam roller — very light weight, since it’s a hollow center, but it will still take up a fair amount of room. But it’s worth it to me.
LikeLike