Running on sunshine: 4/20 – 26 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

I’d like to say snow is in our tailview mirror, but not this week. At least there was no accumulation. But there was snow, rain, sleet, and hail oh my! In between all that there was also sunshine, and some days that were breezy instead of super windy. A little sunshine goes a long way!

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing some sunny runs that have saved this runner’s mojo.

Last week I noted that my RHR (resting heart rate, taken first thing n the morning) was going up, up, up. If it suddenly jumps 10 degrees it’s a pretty sure sign that you’re getting sick. Mine wasn’t increasing that much, but there was a noticeably trend up and my runs definitely felt off. This week was better in both departments.

Spring is always a difficult time for me health-wise. Last year at about this time I’d spent a night in a hospital due to fainting & a really nasty stomach bug. So grateful that was last year, not this year. I haven’t been truly sick, but I have definitely struggled with feeling run down the last couple of months. Something some sun and warm days could cure — but alas, it’ll be a while before we see that.

Not my best photo, but loved soaking up some Vit D (Bandit, too)

Of course after I wrote the paragraph above, we finally had a Spring-like day, and I totally took advantage of it, eating lunch outside and then doing my recovery Yoga outside too. I slept like a log last night!

Workouts update

  • Monday:  Yoga (8 min), Dogwalk, PB Arms (15 min)
  • Tuesday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (50 min)
  • Wednesday: SB (20 min), Yoga (5 min), Dogwalk
  • Thursday: Yoga (8 min), 4 miles easy, Dogwalk
  • Friday: SB (20 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (8 min), 9 mile LSD, Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (7 min), Dogwalk, ST later

Mileage: 17 (+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 Update

New leaves & flowers are always such a hopeful sign

Tuesday
Rain was in the forecast and so I “hustled” and actually got out there around 9. I’d probably get out earlier, but it was cold and windy. The first 3 miles weren’t too bad, and I probably should have called it quits there. Unfortunately the wind wore me down that last mile, especially running into the headwind the last quarter mile. 

I seem to have taken a few steps back. What is my body trying to tell me?

It wasn’t warm, but it was sunny — we needed that!

Thursday
The first nice day in what seems like forever. By nice I mean in the 40s, with a slight breeze, but sunny, LOL! This run was better than most of last week’s, but still felt hard. Which might be because I chose a hilly route, just to get myself out of the neighborhood! I enjoyed the sunshine, though.

First rainbow & a heart, extra points!

Saturday
Often they promise us nice weather but don’t deliver — today they certainly did! I realized maybe I’m simply pushing too hard on my long runs. Then again, I don’t usually look at pace at all. Anyway, I gave myself permission to walk when I felt like it and I felt like it a lot. 

Second rainbow — people are creative!

The pace was still considerably better than last week’s long run, despite the extra mile; no doubt due to the more favorable weather.

Lola & Bandit practicing proper social distancing (actually it was hard to get this photo!)

Favorites of the week
If you follow me on Instagram here, you’ll know that we participated in a car parade to thank the staffers at our local Humane Society.

The scarf sorta worked — this was after Tuesday’s run, so yup, a chilly but sunny day

They are not allowing the many volunteers to go in (although apparently they’re going to start letting some come in), so those guys are working overtime to keep the animals safe — while adoptions seem to be booming.

I will totally be getting this again!

This Poke Bowl. Just had to share!

Bandit wanted some too (but didn’t get anything; he got some dog treats eventually)

I’ve noticed cars zipping around, ignoring stop signs and even red lights. On one run this week, though, I had a car stop at a green light and wave me over so I could cross the street. Seriously, how cool was that?

How are you thanking essential workers?

Still looking for rainbows? 

What virtual races did you run this week? Just not my thing

Coming up on Tuesday: April’s not quite over, but I’m wrapping up my month & putting a grade on it. Of course I’ll be joining y’all (virtually) for some tea next weekend.

ICYMI: It’s a crave busting meditation. I know there’s been some issues with volume on my videos (not completely sure why), but I worked on this and hopefully it’ll be much better. You can view the meditation here. And Yes, you can always join the 21 Days of Yoga Challenge at any time here.

Be the first to know when I release new videos: sign up for my newsletter here to find out when I add new videos, and you’ll receive a free Self Love Affirmation PDF and a bonus audio-only version of this self love meditation.

36 thoughts on “Running on sunshine: 4/20 – 26 WRD”

  1. I love your rainbows! I didn’t see any like on my runs this week.
    Great that you’re having better weather, you deserve some sun!
    By the way, some great leg stretching parts of your “yoga in bed” are now a regular part of my get-up routine. Thanks for that!

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    1. The better weather was so last week, LOL!

      I really loved the heart rainbow that I found last week.

      So glad you’re enjoying the stretches in bed! I used to do them really regularly, but my husband is still sleeping when I get up . . .

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  2. I saw your post about the car parade and thought that was such an awesome idea!

    I’m glad that you had better weather this week! We had so much wind and rain this past week – I’m hoping that this week will be a lot better.

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    1. We had wind & rain last week too. But sunny days, and saturday was just what I needed. Sadly the weather this week ain’t looking so good, but hey, I managed to beat the rain this morning. 🙂

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  3. We are clapping every Thursday for key workers and also taking the chance to wave at our neighbours. I am also making sure to thank personally every waste operative, park keeper and person in a health care worker uniform, and postal worker I see.

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    1. Liz, you seriously are the sweetest person. No wonder you & Cari get along so well.

      We’re in suburbia, so there’s no one to clap for here. I need to start writing some thank you notes . . .

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  4. There are so many #518rainbows on the paths and trails and rocks.

    I ran 2 virtuals this week – a 5k and a 15K. I plan to do a lot more – Freihofer’s of course and my May half and most likely the ARE ones. It’s a great way to support a charity.

    My hubby works at the hospital and I have friends who are doctors and nurses. I totally appreciate what they are doing. I would love to help out… unfortunately my real job gets in the way.

    My runs are slow but that’s because I stop and take pics all the time. This is my favorite time to do that.

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      1. True. But I’m sure ARE could use your help as well as other racing organizations. No races will be a big loss for them. Besides you don’t have to race. Just run which is what we do anyway. Ok off my soap box.

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  5. I have noticed people are driving crazy as well! What’s up with that? Where are they in such a rush to get to? The sunny days do really help my mood as well. I am trying to get out for walks daily when it’s not raining.Still need to do your rainbow walk! Thanks for linking up and have a great week ahead

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  6. I had never been interested in running a virtual race, but I signed up for a Mother’s Day 4-Miler when the “We’ve Got Your Back 5K” which was going to be my comeback race got canceled. The day after I registered for that virtual race, I won Darlene’s Freihofer’s 5K virtual race giveaway, so now I’ve got two to run! 🙂

    Wow, you had all kinds of crazy weather last week. Glad to see that you saw a pretty yellow blossom. Hopefully, it’s the first of many coming your way!

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      1. Well, to be honest, I could never sign up for a race again and I would still be motivated at go out and run regularly as if I were training for a race. I really liked the Mother’s Day shirt and wanted to have a comeback race that I could write about so I signed up for that race; and then I got lucky and won the virtual 5K entry.

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  8. I love the idea of the car parade!

    And, yes I’ve seen some crazy driving here too – like the rules of the road somehow don’t apply.

    The weather was not very cooperative last week and sadly this week doesn’t look much better. Hopefully, we’ll get more sunshine and warm temps soon!

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    1. This week looks like a mixed bag just like last week. I saw a nice forecast for the weekend — I hope they’re right! Initially I thought it was supposed to rain this coming Sunday, but the forecast is always changing.

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  9. Were the rainbows celebrating something? It’s been too rainy for much chalk art lately. Hearing about your weather I won’t complain about mine. We just had some rain. Your poke bowl looks great. I’ve got no patience to make something that fancy on my own.

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    1. There is something called 518 rainbows or something like that (518 is our area code). In general it’s been too rainy/cold to get out there, so finding that heart rainbow was really nice.

      I didn’t make the poke bowl. That was our delivered lunch! Well, mine, anyway.

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  10. It seems like a lot of us are noticing crazy drivers! Maybe they’ve always been there but are just more obvious now that there’s less traffic (?). Frustrating none the less. I love that rainbow heart!

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    1. I think people just think that there’s less people on the road so why should they care. But there’s still enough from what I can see!

      Or maybe they think the police have better things to do?

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  11. No virtual races for me last week, but I’m considering another 5k this week. Just not sure if I’m motivated enough to run hard! I haven’t really left my neighborhood so I haven’t noticed any crazy drivers. We have alot of kids playing outside around here so luckily most drivers slow down when they drive around here.

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    1. They put in 2 facing stop signs at the end of my road not too long ago. It just amazes me that drivers blow right through them while we are WATCHING them do it.

      Some of the other crazy drivers were when I run on the roads that flank my neighborhood, both fairly busy 2-4 lane roads.

      I am definitely not motivated to push right now!

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  12. I’m not sure how I would feel about a car stopping at a green light to wave me across. I guess I’ve just had too much bad luck with drivers not paying attention that it feels like that could be dangerous. I’d just prefer to wait until I’m in control of the situation. lol. But, that was very nice! And yes, drivers are crazy. Thankfully, even though I live in a small town, I haven’t seen people running red lights and stop signs. Although, that’s probably because I’m not out on the roads to see it. haha!

    I’m not looking for rainbows but I’ve started to notice a lot of stuffed animals in windows! And some even strapped to mailboxes. It’s almost like a stuffed animal scavenger hunt. lol

    No virtual races but I did just sign up for one!

    Both daughters are essential and my husband still goes to work every day. And my neighbor. I try to help out when I can – baked goods, picking up groceries, whatever. Obviously, I can’t help my husband and one daughter is in PA so I just gotta provide moral support!

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    1. I hate loops, so for long runs, I run down the roads on either side of the neighborhood. But we actually have a lot of stop sides IN our neighborhood and people blow through them all the time!

      Hmmm. Haven’t seen the stuff animals here!

      Never underestimate moral support. 🙂

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  13. Love those rainbows you found on your run – I don’t think I’d be that lucky!

    Man, I don’t think I could deal with your cold weather – 40’s?! Brrr! The 50’s is my sweet spot.

    I hope you feel better!

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    1. Our weather is pretty much the same — at least it’s supposed to be nice going into the weekend.

      One day this week the morning was lovely but then it cooled down & clouded up. I’d hoped to do Yoga on my deck, but it was too chilly. I think this weekend I’ll be out there!

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