
Another busy week with an unplanned visit to my mom — nothing new there, I just hadn’t been planning on visiting this week. Mainly because I was deep into prep for Mr. Judy’s 60th birthday. It worked out well, though, because we had a family Zoom call on Friday (for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year) and I brought back the laptop she’d given me to update — which allowed her to get in on the call.
I stopped on the way at Taghkanic State Park, and did some hiking and some walking. There’s also a Taconic State Park near where I grew up — yes, both spelled differently. The beach areas looked almost exactly the same, which was so nostalgic for me. And the bathrooms were open, score!
Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and reaching peak week for the Dempsey Challenge.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (60 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, 3 miles easy, Yoga (40 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (20 min), Hiking/Walking Taghkanic State Park, Yoga (15 min)
- Thursday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Peloton Bootcamp (30 min) + Endurance run (cut it short to about 20 min), Yoga (20 min)
- Friday: Yoga (50 min), Dogwalk,, Yoga
- Saturday: Yoga (30 min), 7 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)
- Sunday: Yoga (50 min), Dogwalk, PB Walking + Toning, Yoga (20 min)
Mileage: 13 (-3)
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

Monday intention: an attitude of gratitude
An attitude of gratitude was so easy today, with the perfect running weather and not needing to get out til after 10 am, although the dogwalk before, while a great warmup, made things a bit hectic. Perfect negative splits that just felt so good. Just because the weather is perfect, we all know, doesn’t necessarily mean a great run but today was the kind of run that reminds you why you run!
Thursday intention: get stronger + speed
This week got a little crazy, so time to run wasn’t there most days. Due to other stuff, too. I wanted to get in 3 miles today, thought about strides, but couldn’t get out til later in the morning. Probably would’ve been fine with the cooler temps, but I also wanted to get some ST in.
I chose a 30 minute bootcamp, which did some speed intervals. Then backed that up with what was supposed to be a 30 minute endurance run. I cut it short simply because I was “running” into lunch and I’d hit my goal of 3 miles with the two classes combined. Someday when I have more time I’ll revisit this class.

Sunday intention: smile every mile (when I remembered)
Who wouldn’t smile with the great weather? I wore almost the same thing I’ve been running long in for a while, although a different skirt and knee high compression socks. I added my vest — I was afraid I’d overheat eventually, but with temps in the low 50s it was perfect. So grateful for sunshine and cool temps!

Favorites of the week
I had bought a big box of BBQ (ribs, brisket, sausage) from a place Mr. Judy liked in TX as an early birthday present. Brisket is pretty standard for Rosh Hashanah, so that was perfect too. We’d picked up our veggie box that morning, so had fresh corn on the cob and I cooked up some of the chard for myself. My mom had sent the trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts as a New Year’s gift. And I made the traditional apples and honey (for a sweet new year).

The birthday shenanigans continued with a Zoom call with college friends and a second one with family (East and West coast). And cake, of course!
I was looking forward to maybe going somewhere hiking next week, with family obligations finally wrapped up, only last night Lola suddenly wouldn’t put her weight on one of her paws. She’s eating ok and still trying to play, so I’m not super worried, but I don’t see it healing up that quickly.
Are you beginning to see a lot of pumpkins?
How are you celebrating big birthdays this year?
What is one thing you’re proud you did this week?
ICYMI: I promised you a shorter Yin Yoga Warmup last week and today I’m delivering it here. All of these practices are great post run, too — or even the night before a hard workout.
Coming up on Tuesday: Find out what it means to be an experiment of one. On Friday we’re back at the Runfessional here. Hard to believe another month is at a close!
The weather has really been great this week! Fall weather always makes me happy 🙂 I’ve seen a lot of pumpkins outside of my local supermarket but haven’t seen too many houses decorated for Fall yet.
So glad that you were able to see your mom this week and that she was able to join the holiday Zoom call.
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The weather made me super happy this week, too.
It was great for my mom to be on the call, the immediate family, most of my nieces & nephews, my West Coast cousins & some of the second cousins, too.
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I’ve been looking at infrared heaters today. Would you mind messaging me the one you got if you like it? thanks Happy happy new year to you and yours. It was really weird watching services on Zoom. Hope the year ahead is filled w happiness and health for you and your family
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I’ll send you a link tomorrow.
We don’t go to services, but the upside for my mom is that they were able to set it up so they could watch services! She really misses that, even though she’s totally not religious (and oddly I’m more religious, but don’t go to temple — mostly because my husband isn’t interested).
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Sounds like a great run for you–this weather certainly helps! I haven’t seen a lot of pumpkins but I bet they come out this week. Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Mr. Judy!
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The weather helps a lot!
Thanks, Wendy. Mr. Judy seems to be enjoying all the stuff I set up for him. 🙂
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Happy New Year and HB to Lloyd.
I really celebrate big birthdays. After 21, they’re all the same to me.
I even had to wear capris today and yesterday. 35 degrees at 8am. I prefer getting things done early. Still it was nice.
I don’t know if I’m seeing pumpkins but sure am eating a lot of them. Pumpkin Donuts, pumpkin spice coffee and pumpkin muffin bites from Leah’s. Yum.
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I thought 60 was definitely a big deal. And of course the year was hard, so I wanted to make the day special for him. The cake was from Leahs. 🙂
I haven’t worn capris yet — for running. For walking in the mornings, definitely in tights!
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I bet the cake was good.
2020 been the best of years.
I didn’t celebrate my 60th at all. my hubby felt the same and we are the same age. We did celebrate 50. I went to NYC and he flew an A10 in Fla. maybe the next one will be 75. Not that far away.
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That’s why it was even more important to celebrate it rather than let it be just another day.
I was all by myself for my 50th (actual day). But then flew out to Austin to run my second half a few days later. He joined me that evening afterward — flying in from CA.
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We’re all different. 60 was just like 59, 65 etc. for us. Everyday is important not just the day you were born. Especially in 2020
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Happy Birthday to Mr. Judy! I just broke down this morning and got some pumpkins. I won’t decorate for Halloween anytime soon but I figured pumpkins wouldn’t hurt. The cooler weather is wonderful. We do press up against the darkness on our evening walks now though.
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The cooler weather (and no rain!) has been delightful, for sure. I’m a much happier camper.
Don’t like the waning daylight but nothing you can do about that.
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Happy birthday to Mr Judy! I saw some pumpkins for sale at the boatyard today, thought it felt a bit early. And my friend’s brought out her super-cute hand-crafted ones.
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There are already a lot of houses decorated in our neighborhood! I guess people figure what else have they got to do?
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This weather truly makes me smile! I’ve said it before, but I do love how you have a set intention for each run.
Happy Birthday to Mr. Judy and Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Thanks, Michelle. Totally agree on the weather.
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Happy Birthday to your husband! No pumpkins here yet. On of these day I will get a pumpkin spice coffee.
I am loving this cooler weather. It is my favorite for running.
What happened to Lola? I hope she is OK>
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I’m loving the cooler weather, too.
No idea what happened to Lola. I was out doing my long run & when I got home she was limping. My husband said there was nothing unusual about their walk (which he did while I was out running).
My guess is she jumped from something & strained it, but we’ll never know. We have steps at most of the high furniture she gets onto. She’s eating ok, still trying to play, and doesn’t seem to be in a lot of pain, but she holds up that paw when she runs & sometimes limps a bit.
She really wanted to go on the walk this morning, but we’re not walking her so she can rest it. I’ve seen this sort of thing before in both our cats & dogs & usually it just takes time & rest. And at her age (just about 15) it takes longer to recuperate.
So we’ll give it some time. It definitely seems better after she’s been resting. I usually have a pretty good sense of when a vet visit is necessary & she still might need one, but for now we’re just waiting & resting her. Luckily she does sleep most of the day. 😊
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Awww, poor baby!
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She seems a little better, but trying to keep her from jumping down is just a total PITA!
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I am seeing a lot of pumpkins just in the past few days. I remember they were really hard to find…not in the stores until the week OF Halloween, and then not very many to chose from. The weather actually was pretty warm here last week though cool in the mornings. I think that was Summer’s last hurrah for 2020. Happy New Year!!
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It’s still unseasonably warm here but supposed to warm up a bit & that’s fine. I’m surprised more people aren’t seeing pumpkins!
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I haven’t seen many pumpkins just yet. Happy birthday to your husband and happy new year! My bday is coming up in a few weeks but I won’t be doing much. I’m more concerned about what we will be able to do for my son’s 2nd bday in December. It will probably need to be very low-key.
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Well the good news is that even at 2 he’s unlikely to remember what you did. 😊 I’m sure he’ll enjoy it as long as there’s cake. 😊
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Glad you were able to fix the laptop in time for the Zoom call!
Fall weather has arrived here, though I haven’t seen any pumpkins yet. Interesting on the two different spellings of the name of the parks!
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The weirder thing about the parks is that the beach area in both look so much alike. It was really nostalgic for me. We spent so many happy days at the other park!
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Happy birthday to the Mr! Our first covid birthday celebration is coming in mid-October. I think a family dinner is how we’ll celebrate. Nice that you got to stop at the park on your way to visit your mom.
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Thanks, Coc! Yeah, w3 still have most of that cake . . .
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I saw pumpkins at the grocery store, but I haven’t seen any on my neighbors’ porches yet. The squirrels and groundhogs eat ours so I don’t buy them until very close to Halloween.
Funny that you mention buying Mr. Judy an infrared heater. One of my clients said she’d just gotten one and it seems like such a great idea, especially since we’ll be outside more due to COVID. You’ll have to let me know how you like it after you’ve used it for a while.
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We don’t buy pumpkins. We’re Halloween Grinches, LOL, we don’t even give away candy anymore. So i guess we’re all ready for this year.
We’re still trying the heater out, although now it warmed up for a few days so we don’t need it — but it won’t stay warm long.
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Happy birthday to Mr. Judy! That brisket looks amazing! Sounds like a great week in workouts! I love the Peloton bootcamps, they are seriously challenging!
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The brisket was pretty good. 🙂 He also got ribs (haven’t done them yet) and sausage. He’s set for the next year, LOL!
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Look at all the pumpkins! We can’t put ours out until right before Halloween. They mold and rot almost immediately in the heat.
Happy birthday to Mr. Judy! And I hope you had a Happy New Year!
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I can definitely imagine that those pumpkins would rot quickly in the heat down there! People up here often let them rot, but it takes months, LOL!
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