Every little bit of sunshine, every Robin sighting, makes Spring feel just that little bit closer. We had very windy — but also warmer — weather this week. We had to try to soak up as much sun as possible this week since it got cold and windy by the weekend — but still sunny! I even got to film a video outside on the deck!
I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Yoga (35 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk
- Thursday: Yoga (40 min), walk/hike at Olana
- Friday: Yoga (40 min), 5 miles “easy”, Yoga (20 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
- Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)
Running Mileage: 11 (+1.50)
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: easy — enjoy the sunshine & warmer temps!
I was actually a little overdressed for this run. It wasn’t that warm, 40 and windy, but compared to last week it felt great even if I was battling wind most of the run. Although the easy miles didn’t feel easy, my V02 Max nudged up again. So the cardio comeback is complete. I saw a cardinal on my cool down walk at the end — I almost thought it was a robin!
Friday Intention: keep it easy
I like to take a rest day after going to visit my mom — and a crazy busy week — but I couldn’t pass up the chance to run on a semi-warm day when the sun was shining (but the wind was blowing). My least three longish runs have been the same distance, completed in the same time, but I swear each one has felt harder. The wind didn’t help, and the path I chose is somewhat hilly.
We had sighted our first Robins at Olana the day before, which is south of here, but I saw a Robin on this run, too. I also saw 5 deer running across a fairly major road that’s not far from the airport — that was a huge surprise! I’ve never seen deer there at all.
Sunday Intention: focus on feeling powerful
I wasn’t tackling major hills — or major wind (although it was windy) today, but there are plenty of little inclines in my neighborhood (plenty of hills, too, but today was not the day for that). I focused on flowing up those inclines. Now robins are everywhere. The next thing to look out for are Spring bulbs; Mr. Judy planted some in the Fall.
Favorites of the week
We could have gone to visit my mom on her actual birthday, but the weather was warmer the next day so we agreed that was the better day to visit. Bandit is not allowed inside, so we had to meet outside. Feeling blessed that it was a nice enough day that we could do that. Yes, my mom has been vaccinated — but I haven’t been.
We had made our usual stop at Olana for a bathroom break and brunch outside. Usually I go by myself, but since it was my mom’s birthday, I thought it would be nice if Mr. Judy came too. Which meant Bandit had to come. Which meant meeting outside.
Speaking if hanging in, here is my St. Patrick’s Day cactus, as I’m now calling it. I had buds around my birthday, but apparently I didn’t water it enough and they dried up and fell off. I’m guessing these will be my last blooms, but only time will tell.
What are you focusing on these days?
Snow all gone or hanging in there? Ours is gone! Finally! Makes running a lot easier.
Did you race this weekend?
ICYMI: We’re on week 2 of my Better Balance + Strong Core Challenge! You’ll find the video here. This week I also did one bonus Facebook Live core workout in the Facebook group; you can join here.
Coming up on Tuesday: What if you could download that perfect blog post you wrote in your head on the run? Friday I’m going to help you turn some of those common negative thoughts on the run into positive mantras.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I have been loving seeing the signs of spring lately! Glad you could visit your mom. Our snow is all gone and I hope we don’t get anymore this season!
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Signs of spring are so hopeful. 😊
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Love all the signs of spring. We’re almost there! I’m hopeful for no more snow here please 🙂
Glad you could visit your mom, and yay for a cardio comeback!
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I wouldn’t be surprised to see no more snow, we’re not always snow free by this point! The good news is spring snow melts quickly.
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No snow! Hooray! We have spring bulbs up in the garden which is nice as I did not plant them! We get robins all year round here, so that’s interesting.
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That is strange about the Robins. We generally don’t see bulbs for about another month, we can have a hard freeze until about the middle of May!
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Glad you had a nice visit with your Mom. Nice weather lured me out for my runs this week too, although the week ahead doesn’t look that great. LOL on your St. Patty’s Day cactus.
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Today is very cold & windy but luckily it’s a rest day for me. 😊 The forecast actually looks better than it did initially; we’ll see if they deliver!
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I am so glad you got to hang out with your mom outside for a bit. I am sure she loved it! I feel so bad for our parents right now it’s been a tough year for them being so isolated. I always forget how windy it is this time of the year!
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It has been tough on her. Being able to be outside was helpful to me, since my husband could come & I only had to drive one way.
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That’s funny. One of my Christmas cactus is now blooming!?
It was a nice week for running. I was able to get rid of the winter clothes – ie no beanie, no tights, no gloves.
And then winter came back. Just in time for my race. Still it was a wonderful feeling to be almost “normal.”
I am a birder in Florida (obsessed with them) but here I could care less (although we do have multiple bird feeders). I am more into flowers. Bring them on.
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I’m not a birder but I do enjoy seeing them, if that makes sense.
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Happy Birthday to your mom! Love that you and Bandit were able to enjoy a visit with her outside.
We had lots of sunshine here this week but still a few cold days, so I think that Spring is on it’s way, but not quite permanent yet!
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Even on the cold days (this weekend) the sun was really welcome!
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Your Christmas cactus is beautiful. I’ve never seen on that color before. Mine is blooming now too, but the blooms are pink.
Happy Birthday to your mom and glad you got to spend some time with her. What is the building in the background of the picture with Benji? I love the roof on it.
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My mom lives in a senior living community (she’s 93). That’s the porch on the main building behind her. I go every couple of weeks, but we haven’t been able to be outside since last year.
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It’s very pretty and I’m so glad you are getting to visit with her again!
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How far is the drive to see your mom? I’m sure she appreciates the visits! Happy Birthday to her!
My Christmas cactus is blooming again! It bloomed at Christmas too. So odd.
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The drive to my mom’s is a little over 3 hours all together. It was nice to have someone to drive me back this time (I drove down). Generally I go twice a month. My sister lives a lot closer & she goes every week (part of why I was so happy she didn’t move to FL!).
My brother lives on the west coast so he hasn’t seen her in the flesh in over a year. He’s hoping to get vaccinated soon & come out, but we don’t know when/if he’ll be able to stay with her. And I don’t know when I’ll be able to be vaccinated.
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Happy birthday to your mom! So glad you were able to spend time with her.
Lots of signs of Spring here too – we can’t seem to keep our bird feeder full these days.
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So many hopeful signs!
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The last of our snow (on the shaded parts of our yard) disappeared this week, YAY!!! Our streets have been amazingly clean and (mostly) dry for the past couple of weeks, though. I saw a couple of robins driving home from work last week, but didn’t have the opportunity to grab my phone for a pic. It’s great that you’re able to visit your mother 😉
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It’s been nice not having to worry about ice for sure! I did take a photo of one Robin & the deer too — let’s just say you would’ve had to use your imagination. 😊
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I haven’t seen any robins yet but our snow is just about gone finally! Happy Birthday to your mom! I’m sure she loves your visits. Bonus she got to see Bandit too!
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She was a little sad Bandit stuck to me. He had a real thing for my Dad!
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I’m enjoying spring vicariously through other people’s blogs! I remember that feeling of relief when winter finally retreats. Sounds like you’re enjoying it!
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I do not enjoy Winter, never have. I was very happy when we lived in TX — although the summers were really brutal.
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Aw! Happy birthday to your mom! I’m so glad you were able to get that visit! And I love how sweet Bandit is!
We never got snow here, just some hard frosts. That’s all gone now. I’m going to miss the cooler temps and lower humidity.
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I’d be happy to send some mid 20s your way. 🤣
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Happy Birthday to your mom!! I am so glad you had the chance to see her. These days I am focusing on doing my runs and getting through the days before Spring Break. 🙂
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No Spring break here. You need yours!
I will settle for Spring weather. 😊
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love your spring pics! even though there’s still a bit of snow on the ground it gives hope! glad you and Mr Judy and bandit all got to see your mom for her birthday. lovely!!
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The snow is pretty much gone. Which isn’t always the case at this time of year!
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Happy birthday to your mom! Nice that the weather cooperated and you could visit her outside. We have flowers sneaking out of the landscaping now, and birds singing in the morning. So lovely!
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Love, love, love 💗 all the birds singing. Even on a gray day like today it makes things cheerful.
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How wonderful that you got to see your mom again. Happy belated birthday to her! We plan to go see my mom in a week and I can’t wait!
I love your St. Paddy’s Day cactus.
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I live much closer to my mom than you do, so I try to go every other week. I hope you have a great visit with your mom on the farm! I’m so impressed she still lives there.
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