September was even busier than the last few months! 2 trips to mom, both with side trips. One day trip as a “family” — I’d hoped for more, but it wasn’t meant to be. Cat sitting for a friend. Planning & executing birthday shenanigans for Mr. Judy. A virtual 10k + virtual 5k walk.
September’s song is Patti Smith’s “The People Have the Power”. While it doesn’t have Strong (my word for 2020) in the title or the lyrics, it’s perfect for these times and it spoke to me.
The power to dream, to rule
To wrestle the world from fools
It’s decreed: the people rule
It’s decreed: the people rule
Listen. I believe everything we dream
Can come to pass through our union
We can turn the world around
We can turn the earth’s revolution
I very very rarely allow politics to creep in here. Get out and vote. Or mail in your vote, as we plan to. You can’t sit on the sidelines.
Getting in scheduled runs
It was really a mixed bag this month. There was a lot of stuff going on in the personal front, and sometimes that prevent me from getting it done. I did the best I could, and the truth is, just staying active is a win right now — and I did.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
I record them here. Someday I’ll get back to journaling!
Grade Earned: F
Dynamic Warmup
The cooler weather meant I was able to leisurely get ready for runs for much of September. So there was Yoga, there was foam rolling, and there was always a short dynamic warmup before the run. I enjoy not having to rush out the door!
Grade Earned: A+
Foam Rolling
I foam rolled more often in September. It feel off a bit towards the end of the month, again due to personal stuff, but I always foam roll before my runs and sometimes I did it on non-running days and also sometimes after my runs.
Grade Earned: A
Nutrition
Nutrition continues to be not terrible, not great, and the scale continues to reflect that. There was birthday cake (for days, even with the smallest one), there was BBQ — but there were lots of veggies and nutritious meals, too.
Grade Earned: A-
Support
- Massage? Nope. We all know why.
- Chiropractor Appointment? See massage.
- Do I need a hair appointment? I need to schedule that appointment. We are in a very good situation with COVID right now, but I could see that changing with more time spent indoors and school restarting.
Grade Earned: F
Cross Training
Still not cycling, but plenty of Yoga, and started out strong with strength training although again that fell off a bit towards the end of the month. I was balancing a lot of spinning plates this month!
Grade Earned: A
September 2020 gets . . .
. . . an A. A couple of Fs again, but mostly September was a busy month — seems like every month lately is a busy month!) — and I did the best I could with the time I had and by listening to my body.
September Goals:
- Run 4 x week. Y/N. Sometimes. Some weeks I just wasn’t feeling it, so I didn’t. Other weeks, I did.
- Set an intention for each run. Y. I like this so it’s easy to continue with the things you enjoy.
- Meditate when I get up. Y. This actually morphed into Yoga + meditate when I get up. I’m halfway through with my 40 day Kriya (see my post about that here).
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. I’m trying, but it’s crept up just a bit beyond where I’m comfortable. It seems the Winter creep has started early. So Y to eating intuitively; unfortunately Y to creep, too. I mostly know what I need to do — but I need to do it. #youfeelme?
- Explore new places when I visit my mom. Y. It’s not always easy, because it can mean hours without access to a bathroom sometimes, but otherwise it’s a somewhat stressful day and this injects a little more fun into the visit for me.
- Look around for the next virtual to motivate me. Y. Well, I have looked around. I have a couple I’m considering. I haven’t made up my mind yet. Virtual isn’t the real deal, but it adds variety to my running, and I like that. And sometimes there’s cool swag.
Which leads me to October Goals:
- A short running break. I had actually always planned on a running break after my Dempsey Challenge. My body made it clear I needed it, even though I haven’t been running hard. Not sure how long it will be, probably not too long, a week maybe two tops.
- Ease back in with easy runs. No need to push hard — and better to rest now and be ready to push when there’s hope of real races.
- Find a flatter course for virtual races. One of the virtual races I’m considering might be a 15k. My body has made it clear for now that it’s had it with the steep downhills. You know how much I love running downhill, but if I can’t run, well, that’s worse.
- Explore new places when I visit my mom. It’s getting cooler, but I should still be able to explore in October. Thankfully they are working on some sort of plan to allow inside visitation.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. In the last few months my choices haven’t always been the best. I can feel that in some of my clothes — and I don’t like that feeling!
- Decide on my next virtual race. I have a couple that I’m considering. One allows you to do it at any time before May. I’m not sure when the other one is (or if it allows you to pick your own time). I may end up doing both).
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Enjoy your running break. It’s a good thing if you need it.
I never want a break from running but it happens with work weather and injuries.
I don’t look for virtuals. They just happen. I want a real race. I may go to NYC for one in Dec. We’ll see.
That’s great about indoor visits for your mom. Soon it will be too cold out.
It would be nice to see you. Been a long time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What would be even nicer is a bathroom option when I visit my mom. It’s still a problem.
Like most things I usually put in a lot of thought into a virtual, thinking about whether or not it’ll motivate me.
LikeLike
no gas stations or convenience stores. That sounds awful IMO.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have found my spots, but it’s still just a very long day. Every time.
LikeLike
Well that’s good news. My friend in Russia takes a 10 hr train ride to visit her parents for the weekend. Long has different definitions for everyone. My friend here drives to NYC and back for a show or opera. Both of these I wouldn’t even consider.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy your running break! I’m dialing back this week because I have another half on Saturday. I’m hoping to avoid a repeat of the disaster from 2 weeks ago.
I try not to get political on my blog or at work, but it’s getting tough not to say anything. But yes, vote! Get rid of you know who.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully you’ll have cooler weather like us this weekend & also a much better half. Good luck!
I used to run an large online forum (many years ago). At one point I had to ban all talk of politics. Some really appreciated that, and some were po’d, but in the end, that wasn’t what that site was about & it does bring out the worst in people.
LikeLike
I think you balanced those spinning plates with finesse! One good thing about virtual races is that we can (virtually) do any that we choose, regardless of their locale. I have started to see virtual bike races/events/fundraisers pop up on social media, and those are intriguing. Of course, I have been biking a few of my virtuals by default LOL As long as wee keep active 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much as I would certainly rather run a real race, being able to pick the time & route is a perk. )
The Dempsey Challenge is more cycling than road racing really, but they do have a little of everything (obviously).
LikeLike
That cake, Judy! Did you do it yourself? It looks fabulous. Oh, and congrats to your husband!
Well done on your September goals. You know, why don’t you just simply book the massage?
With masks, it seems to be as safe as the hairdresser. I think you really deserve it.
I love that you are planning to explore new places when visiting your mum. Those photos from those parks are awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I didn’t make the cake, I got it from a bakery (we finally finished it off yesterday). I actually used to do some cake decorating (and lots of baking), but I don’t anymore.
Oddly, the place I get massages from just opened up. I don’t feel comfortable with that. I do hope to get my hair cut soon, but massage takes a lot longer & is not well ventilated. One of our friend’s brothers recently died from COVID. They live in TX, but still, nothing has really changed yet so I’m still being careful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You had a super busy September and great job on your goals! The photo of the cake instantly made me hungry – it looks so good.
And yes, so so so important to get out and vote this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kim. Sorry about the cake. I actually do wish I could have gotten a smaller one! Usually we’d have more people to help us with it, and we did share with one of our neighbors, but it was still quite a bit. I knew if we froze it I’d be throwing it out in a year or two. 🙂
LikeLike
I think given the circumstances, some of your F’s shouldn’t really be F’s. There’s a difference between neglecting to do something and not doing something because you’re concerned about your health and/or the health of others around you. It looks to me like you did great on your goals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I know, and there’s a reason I’m still waiting on the hair cut. I definitely hope to get it done in October!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think your excellent adherence to your warms ups and foam rolling keep you healthy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I wish that were true! There’s always something complaining, isn’t there?
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy your running break! I didn’t realize how much I needed mine until I took it.
Its nice to have virtual races to look forward to, even though they’re not as good as the real thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think much runners should take a break at least a couple of times a year, but everyone has to decide for themselves.
It’s funny I decided to take a small break long ago, but it became apparent to me I really needed it as I got closer!
One thing I do (well, Garmin does for me) is track my resting heart rate. There had been a pretty steady uptick lately. That’s always a clue for me.
LikeLike
Nice job with your September goals! I hope you enjoy your running break!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow I seem just as busy not running as I do running, LOL!
LikeLike
Whoop! Whoop! What a solid month – Definitely #septemberstrong! I would upgrade your F for no journaling, just because you are so consistent with blogging your workouts here! Wishing you a solid October and enjoy your break. After my virtual Half in October, I think I’ll also take a small break.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Shathiso! I did give myself an A for the month. 🙂
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy your brief running break! And that you can get a haircut soon, safely. I got mine cut in September for the first time since June 2019 and I felt so much better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, I think you did quite well! And yeah, support is a little tough right now due to the circumstances so I thing you should give yourself an incomplete rather than an F.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An incomplete is a great suggestion! Thanks, Debbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think you can give yourself F’s for things over which you have no control. The point is that they are on your radar for when you are comfortable again. I think you are doing an amazing job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jenn!
LikeLike