I won’t lie: life is much easier without Lola. The sadness lingers, though, of course, and I’d trade the easiness for more time with her, but it is what it is. Is was the right decision. My heart has been heavy much of this week, but we laugh, too, because life truly does go on.
The only thing certain in life is change. Speaking of change, while I’m very happy that Biden/Harris are the apparent winners of our elections, I also caution people: don’t gloat. Show grace. See my post here about compassion and respect, even though it wasn’t written about the election, it applies to it.
Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and healing through movement and time in nature.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), TM Peloton 5k Prep + WU + CD (3.20 miles), Yoga (20 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB Walking + Toning (30 min), Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
- Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Peloton Intervals (3ish miles), Yoga (20 min)
- Friday: Yoga (30 min), Short walk/hike on way to moms, Yoga (20 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (30 min), Long walk/hike with friend, Yoga (20 min)
- Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 5 mile “LSD”, Couple of miles walking WU & CD, Yoga (20 min)
Running Mileage: 11ish (+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
Tuesday intention: 5k Prep
I could definitely have run outside, as the rain stopped early, but since I’m using the Peloton 5k Course, I’m sticking with the treadmill for a couple of runs during the week. So far, anyway. This was mostly intervals, at 5k and 1 mile pace (whatever that may be). It was definitely not easy, but I did my best.
Thursday intention: More speed work
Bandit was due for a long overdue annual (mostly because of all the problems with Lola). Plus I was headed to my mom the next day, and there’s always some prep for that, more so this time because I was getting the Echo Show ready to take with me.
The mill would be faster even though it was a great day to run. I did a 45 minute interval run, and I didn’t need extra run time on that, so I did a quick 5 minute stretch before & after. Go me.
Sunday intention: longer run
It was a lovely day to run today, but I learned my lesson: don’t go up to this park on a weekend when the weather is unseasonably warm! Very few people felt the need to wear a mask, and the path isn’t that wide.
I grew increasingly frustrated as I pulled my doubled over gaiter up and down constantly — and many people walked around with their mask in the their hand. Even with my early warning of “coming up on your left”, people felt no need at all to actually put that mask on. I definitely grumbled (somewhat under my breath) at one point that wearing your mask on your hand does nothing. Maybe I should’ve saved this for runfessions this month!
Favorites of the week
I hate the reason, but not having to take care of Lola meant more time for walking/light hiking/visiting mom. First we visited a small park Darlene @ Myfirst5k goes to sometimes with the running group.
As I drive to mom, I’ve often seen this path along the highway leading off into the woods. I wondered where the heck it was. Now I know. Oddly enough this was the park that Darlene and I tried SUP 4 1/2 years ago — I know this because it was the day we would end up adopting Bandit, the day before the fourth.
We helped Chester cross the bridge a day after New Years. Lola on Halloween. Adopted Bandit the day before the fourth. What the heck is it with our rescue dogs?
I never have enough time when I stop at Olana, but the bathroom continues to be open and I continue to use this as my pitstop. Not bad, eh?
Yesterday it was a long walk/hike with a friend who has gone through many of the same things I have since I moved here. We get each other. She works crazy hours (still), so we only get together once in a while, but we always have so much to catch up on when we do.
Not so favorite: I was astounded that I was able to get an appointment for Bandit so quickly. The news was mixed, and we’re waiting on some test results on the cysts on his chest.
The vet did tell us she heard a very slight heart murmur. I am 3 for 3 for dogs & heart murmurs. That doesn’t really worry me, though, it’s very slight right now. Lola had a slight heart murmur detected at about the same age as Bandit is now, but while it effected her, it never was a big deal and wasn’t what got her in the end.
Still questions this week. Love on your loved ones.
ICYMI: I have thought about creating a meditation for grief for a long time. Sometimes you create what you need for yourself. Yes, I’ve been using this meditation daily since we lost Lola. You can find it here.
Coming up on Tuesday: I have a fun blog on the lessons runners can learn from dogs (no doubt with many Lola photos — that girl was a great sprinter). On Friday I’ll be musing about if I’ll ever run another half marathon.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I’m sure it’s a bit of a relief not to be stressed/worried about Lola, but still sorry for your loss. I wouldn’t say I’m gloating as I still feel nervous that something could change…I hope for a peaceful transition of power.
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Oh, I didn’t think you sounded gloating at all. And yes, I’m still nervous as well, but I’m also super hopeful (although not so sure how much will actually get done with a Republican majority in the Senate). It definitely wasn’t aimed at any one person. I do feel that there are some people who are good people who support T — I don’t really get it, but then again, they probably don’t get my position either.
The only path forward to healing is to respect even those who disagree with you. Ok, sorry, off my soapbox now. 🙂
And thank you for your condolences. It’s much appreciated. It’s a relief, but I still miss her, too. I’ve never had it happen quickly like that, and I guess we were actually blessed that it wasn’t all of the sudden, we had the week to start to come to grips with the fact that it might end that way. She was so alive, though, just the week before. 😦
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I saw a lot of gloating on Twitter yesterday. I like to use Michelle Obama’s saying: When they go low, we go high. I am happy to se this administration leave. But gloating? It just brings us down to their level. Ewww.
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Exactly, Wendy, totally agree.
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I’m barely relieved (because the road ahead is going to be rough), let alone gloating, but it’s been an emotional time for everyone, so I don’t blame those who are celebrating either. I’m just glad things have been peaceful for the most part. Hopefully that continues as reality sinks in.
I totally get your feelings about Lola. No doubt you continue to miss her, but of course you should take advantage of your “extra” time now.
Looking forward to your post on Tuesday!
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I agree. There’s a lot of healing to do. Celebrating and gloating are two different things, though. I’ve seen a few posts from “winners” that really bothered me. Not the way to heal.
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Glad you were also able to take advantage of the nicer weather. pretty photos! I am sure it’s still hard to get used to not having lola around. Looking forward to reading your post on Tuesday. Have a great week ahead and thanks for linking up
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Both harder & easier at the same time. Thanks, Deborah! The good weather helped a lot.
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Can’t believe those SUP lessons were that long ago.
I like that park and have run there quite a few times ((and fallen once).
Jan & I were talking about going to Olana on our hikes today. We loved the Taconic Park trails.
You still have to run very early if you go on any of the paths on the weekend. I usually start by 8 am. I find that most people do wear a mask but if they don’t, I just move over 6 ft or turn my head. There’s not much you can do. At least it’s out in the fresh air.
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Almost no one wearing masks & I would’ve been moving over almost every minute at some points. Paths aren’t wide enough to maintain distance especially with groups of 5 (and there were many groups).
Taconic & taughkanic are different parks. I’m guess you were at the latter, taconic is much further away. They’re very similar though.
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We were at TACONIC. I know they are different. We went to see Bash Bish falls.
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I well remember the sense of relief after Carlo died. It’s as if I didn’t fully realize how difficult caring for him had gotten until that burden was lifted. Of course it’s very sad as well to lose such a beloved member of the family. Looks like you had some gorgeous weather and scenery to enjoy this week!
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That’s absolutely true, when you’ve gone through months & years of caregiving Marcia — I’ve been there, done that, not realizing how tired I was until it was over. This time it was so fast — which in some ways is a blessing.
We were blessed with outstanding weather again this week. That helped!
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Love on your loved ones is so so true. Glad you had a good outlet for that post Lola time. Hope all goes wll with Bandit.
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Thanks, Cari. Still waiting to hear. Not sure how long it’ll take. Hopefully it’s nothing!
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As hard as it is to deal with your loss I’m sure that things are a little easier now. Its so frustrating when people don’t wear masks, even outside if you’re going to be close by others.I’ve avoided some of my old running routes this year for that reason.
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I had been to this park a lot, but for walking, not running. My guess is that it was just such a beautiful day — and I didn’t get out there as early as I should have, but I needed that “lazy” morning.
Yes, things are much easier now. For a while, anyway, Bandit isn’t a young dog either.
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I’ve noticed the same thing here in terms of people with the masks. When they are outside it’s either in their hand or they wear it under their chin – it’s very confusing to me! I can’t run in our local park unless I go super early because I constantly have to pull my buff up and down and it drives me nuts.
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I often do have my mask on my hand, but when we went to that park with Bandit, I put it on when people were getting close (narrow path).
Yeah, the pulling up & down constantly happened yesterday & it was just so frustrating. 😦
I have another path I run at that isn’t very crowded, but I’d walked it with my friend the day before & didn’t want to go back — that turned out to be a mistake, though!
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Although Max has not had any health issues (and he’s still relatively young for his breed), we did have a few weeks of surgery healing and constant supervision to keep him from re-injuring himself. There also were pain meds, etc. And, I know that just barely scratches the surface of an elderly dog….but I can emphasize with how much work and care it requires. But we dearly love our fur kids, don’t we? They are worth it, 100 times over 😉
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The hard ones seem to find me. Chester had health problems almost his entire life — including surgery at 9 months (so I get how tiring that can be).
Not all elderly dogs get sick, and truthfully, Lola was very rarely sick. So there’s that.
Yes, they are worth it. In fact, in my meditation yesterday I used the quote that I’d rather have loved & lost then never loved at all.
Thanks, Kim!
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I am looking forward to your pupper post.
I totally understand what you mean about things being easier. It doesn’t mean we love or miss them less.
I agree about not gloating or being unkind. I think that’s what got us into this mess. Sore winning can be just as ugly as sore losing, and I’m not being a part of it.
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Unfortunately I know you do get it, Jenn. Also hard knowing Bandit is about 12, so we’ll go through again all too soon (whether he lives another year or 5!).
It’s what we sign up for, though, and the love we get is worth it.
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I would say that most people in our area are not wearing masks in parks. They do their best to keep distance, but it’s maybe 20% wearing masks. Indoors absolutely 100% wearing them. I feel bad for my kids whose faces are really broken out from all of the mask wearing at school and my daughter at work. It’s really an issue!
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I hear you on the breakouts — it’s very definitely an issue!
And I do get not wearing a mask outside until someone is near you — I typically don’t run wearing a mask, I guess I should be thankful I wore a neck gaiter that day (folded, because the single layer really does nothing!).
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So nice to have a friend to talk to who gets you. I love that! While I am sorry for your loss, I know what you mean when you say life is easier now that you are not caring for a very ill dog. Of course, you would trade that ease for just a little more time with your fur baby, I am sure. I am always thinking when we are away from the house for an extended period of time “We need to go home to let Benji out.” Then I realize…no…we don’t.
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If she could have had any kind of quality of life, I have been there before — spending so much time taking care of sick furkids.
She’d totally stopped eating though. Aside from what we managed to get into her, which she had begun to fight in the end, after that first ER trip she pretty much stopped eating.
We are lucky that we still have Bandit, and so far, he’s a far easier dog. Although he gets very anxious when we’re both gone, he’s still able to be left alone for far longer time than Lola was (which was not at all in the end).
I know how much you miss your Benji still. It’s never easy. Which just shows us how much love we shared.
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I share your frustration with those who simply carry masks in their hands but make no effort to use them. I continue to avoid some of my old routes and try to get out as early as possible in an effort to avoid as many people as possible. We now have a mask mandate in MA so I’ll be curious to see if it makes a difference.
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In all fairness, I often do carry my mask while walking outside. But I also put it on when I see someone coming.
I typically don’t wear one running, because I’m either running in the neighborhood, where it’s relatively easy to social distance, or I’m running in a place where there are very few people.
If it were mandated that we had to wear a mask, I would comply. Or take my runs to the mill!
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I don’t understand that either. Why carry the mask in your hand? If they don’t want to wear it then they need to stay home.
I am pleased with the outcome of this election but tried not to get on social media so much. I’ve learned that it gets ugly there.
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Social media really can be a time suck, that’s the main reason I’m not on it so much. Bypassing nastiness is the cherry on top. 🙂
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