I visited my mom for the first time in almost 6 weeks, which made her very happy. It was a very busy, tiring week though, but I feel as if I accomplished a lot — including three runs, a tiny bit of indoor cycling, and some short strength training sessions. I’d like to say today will be restful, but I’m running and still working on some stuff — maybe tomorrow???
There is also a lot of snow in the forecast for next week. I’m really trying to run outside at least occasionally, but Mother Nature isn’t making that easy! Perhaps we’ll get lucky and be on the low side of the forecasts. I think a lot of my strength training could be shoveling next week!
I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, PB ST Arms (10 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (90 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Short Hike at Olana
- Thursday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (13 min), Dogwalk
- Friday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM miles progressive, CD walk (15 min), CD Cycle (15 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (30 min), PB Standing Abs (6 min), Dogwalk
- Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 3.5 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)
Running Mileage: 8.5 (+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
Tuesday Intention: work on endurance
Back on the treadmill. I was excited when I got up and it wasn’t snowing yet, but it wasn’t long before it started. Endurance run, slight walk to cool down, then hopped on the stationary bike for the rest of the cool down. The endurance run was 45 minutes, but I only ran 30 — I think I like using the stationary bike for a cool down after a shorter run. Good to change things up!
Friday Intention: a little (very little) speed
I could have run outside. Yes, it was very cold, but not very windy and even some sun. I had a lot of balls to juggle though — or maybe I just didn’t want to freeze my butt off! I chose a progression run, keeping it very moderate. This did feel a tiny bit harder than the endurance run on Monday (same amount of time). I again enjoyed a cool down cycle.

Sunday Intention: add some more distance
I had many lovely birthday gifts today, but not gonna lie: this was one of the best. a run that felt pretty darn good. It’s still relatively short and slow, but my longest run in over a month. I realized on this gray day, that the lack of wind is even better than sun in Winter, although of course both would be lovely. Now unfortunately it’s time to batten down the hatches and most likely more treadmill runs if the forecasts for next week are to be believed.

Favorites of the week
I took my portable diffuser with me on the road to my mom. I loved using it in the car! I also wanted to show it to my mom to see if she’d have any interest in it.

For months every morning I’d get up and say “this is the day I’m going to start a sourdough starter again”. It’s really not that hard. But I didn’t do it. Until finally I did. It didn’t go moldy this time. I made sourdough pancakes from the discard again. Yesterday I finally baked my first loaf!

How are you dealing with the snow (if you have it)?
Cake, cupcake, donuts, cookies, brownies? What’s your favorite dessert?
If you bake sourdough bread, what do you do with the discard?
ICYMI: A “short” Yin Yoga practice that will ground you and energize you for your day. This is the last piece of my morning routine practices. Yes, it’s longer, but today is Valentine’s Day so maybe try this for an afternoon energy burst! I don’t suggest doing this practice in the evening because it’s designed to be energizing. You’ll find the video here. You can also read a blog post about morning routines here for a little more information.
I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing at least one of these routines each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!
Coming up on Tuesday: Five Pandemic Running Pet Peeves. Friday I’ll share how to ease back into running after an illness — which is a little different from coming back from injury..
I am taking advantage of every day it’s not icy out – which did mean I was overcautious, missed a run on Tuesday and did Weds, Thu, Fri, which is very unlike me! But I survived and didn’t go too far. We had high winds today and yes, you are right better no wind than anything else, almost. Good luck for the cold snap to come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, it’s already cold. It’s the amount of snow potentially forecast . . . but thanks! I am lucky that the treadmill is an option for me — and that I don’t hate it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because it’s so wet here, a cold snap almost always equals snowfall in my mind, obviously, because you did say that! We had pouring rain last night and I was so glad it was rain and not snow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rain isn’t fun either but you can run in it & you don’t have to shovel it. 😊
LikeLike
We didn’t get too much ice this week but lots of snow and cold weather. I think this February is probably the snowiest one on record!That sourdough bread looks amazing! I’m not the best baker, but I enjoy making cookies 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I tend to overeat cookies, but I still make them occasionally.
We didn’t get any ice. There’s a potential for that next week — ice is the worst!
Apparently we’ve already had more snow than last year, but of course last year our biggest snowstorm was in December!
LikeLike
The wether was definitely tricky last week! Not sure what to expect this coming week because it keeps changing. Favorite dessert is probably cookies or brownies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmmm, brownies. There was a deli about 40 minutes away that had some pretty amazing stuff for today — but it really seemed silly to drive an hour and half to pick up food. Some of their cookies & brownies looked really good!
LikeLike
You gave yourself a lovely birthday present, Judy!
I love your sourdough bread. It looks delicious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bread came out pretty good, but wasn’t as holy as I expect sourdough to be. I was a little concerned it would be a brick, but it wasn’t thank goodness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also keep saying I will start a sourdough starter, nope not happened yet. So glad you are feeling better and resuming running. Yes, it is good to switch things up. Happy birthday again! glad you saw your mom 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doing the starter is a bit of work. As was actually making the bread — mostly because of all the cleanup!
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Deborah. My mom was happy to see me in person, too. Today she video called me via the Echo. 🙂
LikeLike
Happy Birthday, Judy! I hope you are enjoying your day. I made a chocolate custard pie for Valentine’s Day, it’s right up your alley, lol! Glad to see you’re getting some runs in again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Wendy! I’m not really a big pie person, but I wouldn’t turn down a slice. 🙂
I knew I’d be back running at some point, but today’s was the first one that felt really good. 🙂
LikeLike
We didn’t have a lot of luck with a sourdough starter in the early months of the pandemic, but I feel like we need to try again, as your bread looks so good. And pancakes! YUM.
Glad you have the treadmill as an option! I know I’ve been grateful for ours this winter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely grateful for the treadmill, pretty sure I’ll be on it tomorrow. My first starter started out ok & then grew mold. I guess it was a little too enthusiastic! Took me months to try again.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday! A run outside is the best present ever. I hope the rest of your day is filled with beautiful things! P.S. I’ve been doing the “ball under the foot thing” you recommended for my PF! Thank you for that- I’m using a golf ball. It feels good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad the ball is helping a little. I know it’s helped my Achilles, & I know it’s good for PF, but since I haven’t had it it’s good to hear from someone that has that it’s helpful.
LikeLike
Sounds my recent weather may be what’s in store for you LOL I think there’s a good 2-foot pile on top of our patio table, but some of that has “settled,” so we’ve probably had a couple inches more that what that indicates. I’m eager to get back outside, too! I’ve managed daily short (1-mile) walks, which are much more doable than runs in the crazy temps/conditions, but they’re not the same. Hope your birthday is a great day for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, we usually get your weather a few days later. Of course we still had our own snow last week, too. It is definitely hard when you can’t spend much time outdoors!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday! Glad you had a good run to celebrate. My mom makes sourdough bread that is really delicious. I’ve never made it. I don’t know what she does with the leftovers. Other people I know make waffles for breakfast the next day. I don’t have the proper gear to run if it’s really cold and snowy. I opt for the treadmill. I hope your upcoming week is better weather wise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely have the right gear for cold & snowy or I’d be stuck inside all winter! Actually this week is going to be worse, but it’s February & not unusual here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday Judy! Good to see you getting some runs in. And, glad you got to visit your mom.
We’ve got more snow and ice heading this way – stay warm!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here, re: snow & ice. Be careful! It was really nice to finally have a run that felt normal. 😊
LikeLike
Happy birthday!
We are warming up here, although we have lots of tornadic activity. Boo.
Bandit is so sweet.
I haven’t tried a sourdough starter because we don’t really eat much bread, but everyone raves about it. And ice cream is my dessert of choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t eat a lot of bread either (Mr. Judy is another story) sourdough is really healthy though! The fermentation makes it easier to digest for most people.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday!!!!! A good run is a great gift! I never think being on the low end of the snow forecast is good news, because that usually means we’ll just get rain. Glad you got to see your mom. There’s not much better than warm bread!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For us being on the low end usually just means less snow. For instance, there’s supposed to be another storm after tomorrow’s. That forecast is 1-3” during the day, 5-8” overnight! Today’s storm is predicted to be icy. The worst!
Yesterday’s run was definitely a gift!
LikeLike
I hope you had a great birthday! Was your mom interested in the portable diffuser? I used to bake lots of bread back in the day with a bread machine. Remember those? I probably still have it somewhere…unless Caveman ditched it. I’ll gladly take all the desserts. Alas they don’t love me back. We did have a King cake here in Florida. I’d ever had one before. Glad your birthday run was a great one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mom couldn’t smell anything, but of course we were masked. I think it would be great for her, but she has a pretty severe palsy in her hands, so it might be difficult for her to use it. I’m thinking maybe I’ll gift her with some essential oils in roller bottles.
I have had a king cake!
When we first got married I made bread from scratch. I was shaking my head on how I did that in that tiny kitchen yesterday! Eventually we did move onto a bread machine & I burned that out. 😊
LikeLike
I hope you had a great birthday yesterday! That bread looks so good. Too bad you don’t live close to me or I would have stopped by. 🙂 I am over this weather. Ugh! We got more snow yesterday and more is expected this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, it’s February, what can you expect? Just gotta accept it & embrace it as much as possible. Which you do!
The bread didn’t turn out perfectly, but not bad for a first attempt & I am enjoying it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay for a great run for your birthday! I’m so happy that you were able to see your mom again. I’m hoping to see mine next month. 😊
It’s been so long since I did sour dough bread (1980-81) that I don’t remember much about it other than making bread for Bill when we were dating.
Cookies fresh out of the oven would be my pick of the choices you gave us. I’m also a big fan of Boston cream donuts; although, I haven’t had one in 10-15 years. We’re having cannoli this coming weekend for Bill’s birthday. Those are pretty darn good, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like cannoli, but definitely would not be my first choice. Warm cookies absolutely!
Mr. Judy typically doesn’t like his cookies warm. I don’t understand that! But he does like Boston Cream Pie (and I’m sure would like that in donut form).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you had a good birthday Judy! A run sounds like the perfect way to celebrate!!
Cookies – always cookies!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t usually have a lot of control around cookies & I do actually prefer brownies or cupcakes! But sometimes you just need a really big cookie. 😉
LikeLike
Happy b-lated birthday Judy. Sounds like it was a nice one.
I haven’t made bread in years. Probably best too because I would eat the whole thing. Fresh bread is my weakness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t made fresh bread in decades! And yeah, I ate quite a bit of it (although we still have some). It might help that it’s sourdough . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person