Close Encounters . . .: 9/7 – 13 WRD

. . . The Cat Edition

It was a busy week with going back and forth to a friend’s house for four days to take care of her cats. Just in the mornings! She told me I was unlikely to see either of the cats — will she or won’t she? That’s in the favorites!

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and reaching peak week for the Dempsey Challenge.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (60 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Peloton Bootcamp ST + 1.5+ mile, Yoga (40 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Filmed Yoga Video (20 min), Yoga (15 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, 2.5 Progressive TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, PB Walking + Toning (25 min), Yoga
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 9 mile LSD

Mileage: 16 (+2)

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

A new rainbow

Monday intention: take it easy; no really!
Another great morning to run with a nice breeze! Running is definitely less “I have to” and more “I choose to” now. Since I was planning a bootcamp tomorrow (aka a hard effort), I really wanted to keep it easy. Despite the negative splits, I kept it mostly in zone 2 for my HR. So yes, an easy effort.

Tuesday intention: get stronger!
A shorter Peloton bootcamp (45 min) today. My running portions of this bootcamp were mostly straight running, so I got in a little extra running by doing it and of course strength work as well. Just a teeny bit sore the next day, but no real DOMs like last week.

Thursday intention: work on speed
I took a Peloton progressive run. I had several errands in the morning, and it rained a lot of the morning and into the afternoon (and was very humid afterwards). I am proud of this run because I ran the whole 30 minutes, while continuing to increase the speed (I’ve been doing run/walk this summer). Not that the pace was ever blistering, but proud of staying the course — even though that wasn’t really what I set out to do!

First pumpkin sightings in the neighborhood

Sunday intention: smile every mile
Another nice day to run, with a breeze and clouds, and cooler temps. So nice to be able to get ready without rushing. Still #allthehills! I did, indeed, smile every mile, although some were tougher than others, I won’t lie. I walked up some (not all) of the hills. My virtual 10k in a couple of weeks will be partially in the neighborhood (slight inclines & declines) and then roughly 5k running downhill. Then it’s time for a small break from running!

The “brave” cat — NOT!

Favorites of the week
As you can see above, obviously I did see one of the cats. Actually, on the last day I saw both cats. On the third day I opened my eyes and there was one of the cats. No photos, because I can’t turn off the shutter click on my phone and I knew the noise would spook her. She was the shyer cat, as it turns out!

She circled around me completely a couple of times, keeping her distance. Then she’d sit down somewhere. This happened a few more times, with her getting just a little bit closer each time. I knew that she wasn’t actually going to come up to me this visit, so after she walked off the third time, I quietly got up and left.

The next day the other cat was on the stairs. He was supposedly the braver cat. I got a toy to play with him, but that spooked him. However, my friend, the female, came and circled me again. This time I was armed with a toy. I got her to play for a while! I never did get to pet either one, and I also noticed they never meowed at me. No purring either. It’s been almost two years since Giz passed, however, so even this close encounter with cats was fun (since I can’t teach Cat Yoga right now).

I’ll drive, Ma!

When I put Lola’s supplements onto the passenger seat, Lola hopped into the driver’s seat (she rides in the back).

Bandit sunning

We had what could be our last days warm enough to bathe the dogs, so we did. Bandit oddly seemed to enjoy it (he doesn’t usually). Lola, as usual, tolerated it.

Any exciting virtual races you’re training for — or even a “real” race?

Have you had to break out jackets and tights (not necessarily for running, but just walking around)? I’ve only had to do it a couple of times for walking.

What is one thing you’re proud you did this week? 

GWYT Pre Run Yin1

ICYMI: A “short” Yin Yoga practice to warm you up for a run. This actually ran a lot longer than I’d anticipated — so I have two more videos I’ll be uploading this week that get progressively shorter; keep an eye out for that! Watch this first Yin Yoga Warmup here. All of these practices are great post run, too.

On the blog, I shared a post about running cards — what I would put on them if I made some. I invited you to say what you would put on yours. You can see what people commented on that post here.

Also, if you’re lacking in motivation, I shared my ABCs of Motivation — again, I invited readers to share theirs. Quite a few played along and if you read the comments you’re sure to pick up some motivation here!

Coming up on Tuesday: Ways you *might* get faster if you’re a new runner. On Friday I’m sharing something I started recently — almost on a whim.

39 thoughts on “Close Encounters . . .: 9/7 – 13 WRD

  1. No long sleeves or jackets yet but we are starting to cool down a bit. I love hoodie weather and will be excited to break mine out. Nice job on that Pelo bootcamp those classes are tough! I am looking forward to the new bike bootcamps starting this week. Have a great week ahead and thanks for linking

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I haven’t had to resort to capris for running yet, but long sleeves — yes, The Cool It tops, though. They’re great for hot/cool.

      Ooh, I didn’t see about bike bootcamps. I’ve done a few of the bootcamps on a bike & wondered why there wasn’t any! Although now I haven’t been biking for a while, LOL!

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  2. I ran one of my planned virtual halfs today. It was so odd. I was completely ready for it, had a great training run last weekend. I’m not sure what happened, but I guarantee that there was no smiling. Sigh.

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    1. Sometimes it’s just like that, Wendy, you know that. Sometimes we really never know why.

      I didn’t run a half today. I haven’t run a half in almost 2 years. I’m not even sure I’ll run a single double digit run this year (which is my choice, obviously).

      There are better runs/races ahead, Wendy, I’m sure of it!

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  3. Great job on the smiling 😉 I think smiling not only benefits the one(s) on the receiving end, but also the one extending it. Oh yes, I broke out the tights and jackets this week (and may have even donned a thermal base layer a couple of times)…those bike rides are super chilly!

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  4. Nope no training…even if I do some virtuals, I don’t train for them. My runs this summer are strictly for fun. I don’t even attempt to run straight anymore… why??? I’m enjoying taking pics of the scenery

    There’s a real 5k next Sat. Though not sure I would enjoy racing with all the restrictions…I’m still hoping to run a real half in Feb.

    I will skirts until it’s freezing. I just add calf sleeves and I’m good.

    I personally would rather have the heat and humidity than the darkness after work. Not liking fall except for foliage hikes on the weekend.

    I’ve been cat sitting for my friend for many many years ( and often for her gerbils, lizards, crabs, etc.)…sometimes they would come out and other times not though now the one cat knows and we play for a long time.

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  5. I smile all the time – mainly for myself because I just like to keep a positive spirit, but it kind of sucks now because I’ll still smile at someone but because I have my mask on, no one sees it, lol.

    Great job on the Peloton run and bootcamp classes 🙂

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  6. No tights or jackets yet here. Today was the coolest morning and it was 59, but since I was running I could wear short sleeves and shorts. It looks like we might have some even cooler mornings coming up this week!

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  7. Hi Judy! I’ve missed you 🙂 I didn’t realise you were Pelotoning as well!

    aren’t cats just such funny creatures? While we were away my friend Kim was taking care of our cats. Nena (the oldest) always hides when anyone comes over and Kim knows that. One day she sent a message to Ron “I think Nena is sick, she came out from under the bed, was purring and even layed down next to me!” Except he only say “Nena is sick” at first and freaked us both out!

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    1. Well, I don’t Peloton quite as much as most of the bloggers. I don’t know how they have the energy!

      That message would’ve freaked me out too! Even though Giz was really shy, he didn’t usually hide from the pet sitters. Maybe because we didn’t free feed them. 🙂

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  8. Awww, how sweet that the kitties trusted you and came out to say hi; albeit tentatively. I train a client at her house (well, until COVID hit) and she has a very shy cat that I never once saw. I also trained another client with a Westie and she had to pen him in another room once we started our workout so he wouldn’t demand hugs and petting from me while I was there (the feeling was mutual and I fell in love with him the second I met him).

    So far no jackets or tights here either; although, last night I did wrap myself in a beach towel while out on the deck because the wind whipped up and I got cold.

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    1. I was lucky that my Yoga student didn’t mind the dogs being annoying. 🙂

      We are going to get downright cold this week in the mornings, but it should be nice by the afternoon! I enjoy the fact that I can finally get something done in the mornings again.

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  9. No long sleeves yet, although I packed a windbreaker for dinner along the river the other night and I did wear capri jeans. Back to shorts today for a morning walk
    Lve the smile every mile idea. MIght have to steal err borrow that

    Liked by 1 person

  10. We used to have two cats…I miss them! My husband doesn’t miss litter boxes or cat hair, but I think eventually I can convince to get another one 🙂

    I’ve had a few long sleeve runs, but then I wish I had worn a tank, ha! I am a ‘hot’ runner and get warm really fast.

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  11. Aw! I think I need to take up pet sitting. I love all the animals.

    Still too hot for sleeves or pants, although I wear flannel lounge pants at night to relax. Definitely not even close to fall weather.

    I’m glad you are enjoying running a bit more. That always helps the process.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The problem with pet sitting is there are plenty of not so great animals and/or owners out there too. Not to mention you have to go out in any type of weather. No thanks!

      Yes, I’ve been waiting for this weather for months! I know you are too, but at least you don’t have to deal with snow & ice (except on very rare occasion).

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    1. Haha, that was actually two photos of the same cat. 🙂

      I do run in a light long sleeve top at the moment, but still in a skirt — then again, I can run later in the day (some days) if I want.

      OTOH, for walking — yes, long sleeves and even an insulated jacket on a few days already!

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  12. It’s just started to cool down here this week but I haven’t broken out jackets or tights yet. I did actually wear jeans to work the other day (we have a very flexible dress code). I had been wearing shorts but they still have the A/C blasting so it’s getting chilly in the building. I think next week will be quite a bit cooler so I just may have to break out my long-sleeve shirts to run in. I love running here this time of year. The humidity finally drops and it’s so nice!

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      1. I grew up in WV and I remember it wasn’t unheard of to snow in October. We’re supposed to dip into the 50’s here and that’s going to feel absolutely freezing to me, although my teenage daughter will love it.

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      2. We did get down into the 30s. Since I don’t have to go out til later (when it’s low 50s) it felt amazing (in a good way).

        Here it might snow in Oct but generally won’t stick. When we lived in VT, it could definitely snow & stick in Oct!

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  13. I usually smile during my run because of something that the instructors says during the class. It could be something funny or the song reminds me of something.

    No tights or jackets for me. I am still running in shorts but last week I’ve had to wear a long sleeve top (and of course then got warm). I did wear a LS top at home because the temperature dropped a lot but not enough to turn on the heater at home.

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