Spring is slowly unfurling, bit by little bit. No we don’t have flowers yet or leaves on the trees, but we can see they’re coming and that’s always such a hopeful sign. What will you plant this Spring? Literally? Spiritually?
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 with 4 20 sec hill repeats, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Short hike/Dogwalk
- Thursday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, 2.5ish TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
- Friday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
- Saturday: Yoga (40 min), Led Yoga (30 min), PB Cardio/ST (25 min), Dogwalk
- Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 6 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)
Running Mileage: 11.5 (+.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: tackle some hills — easy (seems to be my mantra lately)
It was cold. Like December cold. Mid 20s anyone? And gray. But not windy! It actually wasn’t my intention to do hill repeats when I left, but I decided I would give it a try. I was working on a video which took far longer than anticipated, so I got out much later than planned (and still so cold). That first mile was speedier than I’ve been in a while, although the hill repeats naturally slowed me down.
A strong run, though; I’ll take it!
Thursday Intention: get in a short one
Lots of things to work on today. Got out before the cold rain started (for the rest of the day) to walk Bandit. I’ve been waking up later this week due to the time change and getting up in the wee hours, then finally falling back asleep. I knew I wouldn’t be able to have breakfast & get out there before the rain & I was right.
Did a 10 minute warmup run followed by a 20 min Peloton recovery run. Fell a bit short of the usual 3 miles I’d run midweek but that’s all I had time for this day. Something is always better than nothing!
Sunday Intention: go the extra mile
For the first time in forever (do you watch the Holdernesses on YouTube? I don’t, but Mr. Judy does, and therefore I often see their videos; they are cute) I was actually looking forward to a run. It promised to be a lovely morning with little wind, and it was.
Which isn’t to say this was an easy run, oh no! I again chose a route with a lot of hills. I took my time, I walked extra when I felt the need, and I soaked up some Vitamin D. Plus I ran 6 miles, which is the longest I’ve run this year.
Favorites of the week
I can’t say I’ve been a good Ambassador for anything lately, but I was happy to see my new Nuun Immunity samples arrive. Stay tuned!
I also got a surprise from Honeystinger!
We took a short, steep, muddy, even icy in a few spots, hike this week too. Mr. Judy and Bandit were troopers.
What signs of Spring are you seeing?
Does Spring make you feel hopeful?
How did you celebrate the Spring Equinox?
ICYMI: We’re on week 3 of my Better Balance + Strong Core Challenge! You’ll find the video here. This week I also did a bonus Facebook Live mini balance + core workout I could definitely feel the next day; I also led kneeling sun salutes in the group yesterday. You can join here. But wait, there’s more! A meditation to help you spring into balance here (aka think about what you want this Spring). A kind friend informed me that my Happy Feet video had no audio; you can view it with instructions now here.
Coming up on Tuesday: 5 ways to prep for Spring Running. Friday I’m getting a few things off my chest at Marcia’s runfessional here.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
It seems like spring is very slowly making an arrival. This week was still cold and windy here, but having some sun definitely helped. Great job with that 6 mile run!
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It was very cold an very windy here, too — I saw a big tree down on the path I ran at today (luckily not actually on the path) — pretty darn sure that tree was still upright last week!
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We have lots of flowers and blossom but I noted as I hung my washing on the airer that I’ve run in a brushed-cotton-inside winter shirt with a t-shirt under, a thin light top and two thin light tops, so it’s been a bit variable this week still!
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In general your weather is more temperate — islands (even big ones!) & places near oceans usually are. Sadly we are far, far away from the ocean!
We’re going to have Spring the next few days. Then maybe wintry mix 4/1. And so it goes. 😊
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I did see green grass along the trail this morning! I think spring might actually make an appearance, lol. We had terribly windy and gloomy weather this week. It’s nice to see the sun again.
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It’s always nice to see the sun!
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I also tried those honey stinger chews this week. I think they taste slightly different than the old ones. Not sure I was into the flavor. I do love the waffles! It is nice to see greenery popping up again!
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Those are the ones for an energy burst. I remember,bear doing samples of it maybe a year ago & I really liked it. I don’t need that right now so I still haven’t tried it. I did do one of the Nuun Immunity already though!
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I love the Holderness Family videos! The recent one about vaccination day – that was me on Wednesday! I have never been so excited to get a shot. I have some flowers popping out of the ground in my front yard too. Spring is happening!!
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I am having so much vaccine jealousy! I am not old enough — almost, but almost doesn’t work! I am also not sick enough or heavy enough. I feel like I’m the last person who will get it! Oh, & I’m not an essential worker. I don’t envy them (much). 🤣
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I receive those free Nuun samples and haven’t tried them yet. You got lots of fun stuff this week in the mail to try 🙂
I don’t expect to get the vaccine for awhile, but I’m signed up for ALL the ‘leftover’ lists, so who knows, maybe I”ll get lucky!
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I’m hopeful that by the end of June at the latest I’ll be vaccinated, maybe sooner if they drop the age again. I’d like to hug my mom again! Now she’s vaccinated, but I’m not.
It was definitely a nice surprise from Honeystinger. I knew the Nuun was coming but I didn’t know when.
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The time change really messed with me for the first half of the week too. I was sleepy and just couldn’t get my energy levels up.
The Nuun Immunity product looks interesting! I’m all about anything to help stay healthy, especially as the seasons change.
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This is a new version of the Nuun Immunity. I’ve used the first version for years!
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I feel like spring was on its way and then it took a detour. Blah.
I wish I could sleep in a bit, but I’ve had so many early appointments that I can’t make it happen. Maybe next week. Maybe.
I have to try my Nuun Immunity. It came last week, but I just haven’t opened it up yet.
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Sleeping in for me is 6:30. 😊 And that’s actually very unusual for me; usually I’m up between 4:30-5:30.
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I love the picture of the bulb peeking through! I’ve lived in Florida for over twenty years, so spring means something completely different nowadays. But hearing everyone’s stories and seeing the pictures of spring make me feel nostalgic for my childhood. Hope you’re enjoying it!
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TX had just enough Spring for me. 😊 The bluebonnets! But summer was brutal & lasted 6 months!
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I have finally spotted a few robins, seen a few buds on trees, and the daffodils and crocus are emerging. Hoping for much more green when we return tomorrow! Great job on the 6-miler! Those long runs feel so good!
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Last week’s 5 miles were hilly AND windy. Today felt easier with little wind (but still plenty of hills).
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This week’s weather really sucked. I even skipped runs and I never do. Yesterday was perfect running weather. I hope to make up the miles this week…looks nice.
I celebrated spring with a post 10 mile run hike yesterday and two long hikes today followed by ice cream!!
We have our daffodils coming up too.
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I would say today was much better than yesterday for running. Much warmer & much less windy.
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It was warmer. Yes. But we didn’t feel any wind yesterday. We even ate outside after.
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The weather was a little all over the place this week, but finally seeing some signs of Spring towards the end of the week. Even on the cold days, we at least had a lot of sunshine, which always helps.
Well done taking on the hill repeats and for your longest run this year!
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Thanks, Michelle. Sun helps so much!
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I won’t do chews since I broke a crown on one during the NYC half a few years ago. It was probably partially frozen, but I’m not risking it. I do like the Honeystinger waffle things. We’ve got spring weather here, but that still means cold mornings@
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😲 I know I can’t do the chews below a certain temp; they do get hard!
Yup, still cold mornings but we’ve sighted the ☀️!
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How fun that you got those Nuun samples! I am excited about Spring. Though there is no guarantee that it won’t snow or be cold, but at least it just sounds better. Does that make sense? Plus, with Spring here we are much closer to Summer.
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Totally makes sense!
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The daffs here are about at the same stage as the ones in your pic. We were so spoiled with a warm early March that a return to winter last week felt wrong. The longer daylight and stronger sunrays are wonderful though!
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Snow at this time of year is just so wrong. But not unusual. 😔
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Sounds like you had a great week on the running front. Hill repeats are hard, but make you stronger! At least that’s what I tell myself when I do them. We have lots of spring stuff going on here in E. TN – daffodils have been blooming for a while, Bradford Pear trees are big puffy snowballs on the landscape, other trees are budding out, people are mowing their lawns for the first time, moths are emerging, and I even saw a butterfly.
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I like the butterflies; not so much the moths, though!
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Some moths are really cool. Have you ever seen a Luna Moth? They are really big and pretty. I usually have one or two show up on my window each year, as they are emerging and filling out to fly. I have some pictures, but not sure I can post them in the comments section.
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Hills are so good for us! seems like you had a good week! Spring is attempting to show up here but not quite ready to fully walk in the door yet. Maybe in a week or two? At least there are signs of daffodils, especially in the park!
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It can be a lot colder here at this time of year so I’m not complaining. Too much.
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Spring is such a hopeful time of year for so many reasons. Jonquils and cherry trees are starting to bloom in my neighborhood. By the time I get home from my visit with Mom next week, everything will have popped!
I thought I really liked the Honey Stinger pomegranate chews, but the fruit smoothie flavored ones are amazing – it’s like eating candy!
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I agree Spring always feels hopeful! Cherry trees in your neighborhood sounds amazing!
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