Welcome Spring (for now): 5/10 – 16 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

Most of my family gathered for Mother’s Day, which made my mom kvell (happy & proud, essentially, in Yiddish). Then the next day we buried my Dad. We visited the graves of my brother (who died before I was born), and my Aunt & Uncle who are also buried in that cemetery.

The drive down, which I did, wasn’t too bad — until we got close to Long Island. It was raining, there was lots of traffic, and said traffic and its delays added quite a bit of time to the trip. But we made it.

Mr. Judy & I also spent a little tourist time on Long Island, even though it was mostly cloudy, windy, and quite chilly. My grandfather and two sets of aunts and uncles lived on Long Island — one quite close to where we stayed, so there was a lot of nostalgia.

Spring does seem to have finally arrived in Upstate NY this weekend, though, so we’re finally soaking up some sun.

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and enjoying some good running finally.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), Walking to buy baked goods, Walking the beach
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), Walk to the beach, Short hike to a waterfall
  • Wednesday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 5 mile long-ish run, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 minutes)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Some sort of ST at some point

Running Mileage: 11 (+.5)

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

Driveway tomato house is now apparently driveway strawberry house

Wednesday Intention: take it easy
Although our trip went well, I was feeling very tired by Wednesday. It was a long, intense drive down and we packed a lot into those few days. And oh, yes, my Dad’s burial. I didn’t feel alled to run while I was on Long Island, but there was lots of walking. This run was strong, though, and surprising negative splits.

Came across this fellow on my cool down walk. They don’t bother me when I see them first.

Friday Intention: listen to my body and stop early if it said that’s what it wanted
Animals seen: 35 birds, including one cardinal; 5 chipmunks; a couple of squirrels; 1 rabbit; 1 snake
Thursday I was still very tired. I didn’t do much the first two days we got home. I wasn’t sure running was advisable, but I decided to go out & see. This run also went well, even though it had warmed up considerably. Pretty consistent. The tunnels under the overpasses stay so nice & cool!

Yet more red tulips

Saturday Intention: recover
Animals seen: 43 Robins, 1 Cardinal, 1 Chickadee?, A variety of UFOs; 3 squirrels; a duck & its ducklings
I have never seen a duck in this neighborhood — but that was on our walk with Bandit post run. The Chickadee I saw is a small bird that looks like the photos of Chickadees I looked up, but it’s a very neon yellow, so not sure.

This run was still a bit fast for a recovery run, but definitely not fast. Not that any of my runs have been fast lately. Still strong and consistent, despite it warming up even more.  

Vanderbilt Mansion grounds on the Hudson; Fire Island National Seashore & Lighthouse; High Falls

Favorites of the week
I’m not sure you could call my Dad’s burial a favorite, but it gives my mom closure finally. She was able to attend via her Amazon Echo. She also loved having the family together (mostly, anyway) for Mother’s Day, although we didn’t stay too long — there was still a long trip ahead of us.

We didn’t have a lot of time on Long Island, but we made the best of it. We didn’t have to eat inside at all, even though it was chilly for most of the trip.

The good news is we have booked an AirBnB that’s pet friendly outside of Lake Placid Village for July. So we’re taking Bandit. He didn’t do well in a hotel, but I’m hoping in a private house he’ll do better. There’s also a fenced in yard and that’s super helpful. We’re only staying three nights.

Poor mama definitely seemed distressed; don’t know if they saved her babies (photo courtesy of Mr. Judy)

In other animal news. when we came back to our street on Saturday a police car barely stopped at the stop sign. When we got up on the part our house is on, people were huddled on one side of the street and the police car was stopped in the middle of the road.

That’s when we saw the duck with her ducklings. Best we could figure is some of her ducklings fell down into one of the sewers. Hoping it worked out for the poor mama and her ducklings.

We have never seen ducks here. We don’t live by water. Best I could figure is maybe they came from the Town Offices, but that’s a good mile from here.

Duck Update: we heard from a neighbor this morning that the ducklings were rescued.

One of my favorite lunches

Any odd animals in your neighborhood recently? 

Are you ready to travel?

How’s your running/fitness going?

GWY Third eye Chakra

ICYMI: We’ll be concentrating on your third eye — where you can visualize your future (or a future race). We’ll also be opening up those hips, shoulders, and stretching out your low back. You’ll find the video here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Apparently I’m into the alphabet lately — we’re going over the ABCs of running. On Friday I’ll share five things it’s good to do post run/race. These posts are mainly reminders for me!

36 thoughts on “Welcome Spring (for now): 5/10 – 16 WRD”

  1. I was never not ready to travel. And I am very happy that I did all my trips.

    I’m looking forward to our big race-cation in October. Otherwise, it may just be day trips for hikes and NYC. I don’t get many vacation days from work.

    Yup spring has sprung. I still wait to plant things usually until after memorial day. We can still get that frost. So much weeding and trimming to do until then.

    Glad to hear that you enjoyed your time away. Too bad no running with ocean views. But you’ll have lake views in July.

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      1. 30 minutes is not far but it depends on the what you want to do on vacation. I always run but I’m crazy like that lol

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  3. I’m not surprised you were feeling tried halfway through the week – you had a very emotional and busy long weekend. I am glad that the burial finally offers your mom some closure – I imagine that had to be very important to her.

    So happy to hear that the ducklings were rescued! The mama duck definitely looked very stressed in that photo 😦

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  4. Glad you had the opportunity to have some family time…not pleasant circumstances, but great for closure. I’m also glad to hear there was a happy ending to the family of ducks. It’s no secret I’m eager for warmer weather…just when I think it’s safe to do a final wash and pack-away of the headbands, we get slammed with a couple of cold (barely above freezing) mornings.

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    1. It’s funny, I think truly most of us (not my mom) got closure at the memorial service. The rabbi asked if anyone wanted to talk, we all turned to look at my brother, but even he wasn’t talking.

      The mornings are still a little cool, but it’s warming up quickly!

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  5. I had an encounter with a duck this week on the trails that scared both of us! I was crossing one of the creeks and I stepped up onto a root to pull myself up when she flew out of the bank and almost into me! She must have had a nest under the overhang. I thought I was going to have a heart attack, lol! We have a lot of ducks here..and geese…there’s a lot of water around, I guess.

    Glad you were able to say a proper goodbye to your dad. Closure always feels nice.

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  6. I’m happy that you and your family finally have closure with your dad. And I’m happy that you were able to see your mom for Mother’s Day.

    Yay for the ducklings getting rescued!

    We are flying to Florida in two weeks so, yes, we are ready to travel! I just walked into our local butcher shop and since they’d taken the mask sign down after the CDC and our governor’s lifting of the mask mandates and I’m 3-weeks post second vaccination, I happily skipped wearing my mask. It feels so good to be getting back to normal!

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  7. Sounds like a good week, all things considered. So glad the ducks were saved! I get very worried about things like that.
    Glad you have a trip booked for July! I’m trying to figure out what we’re doing this summer but I would like to travel.
    I’m also glad spring has arrived for you and you’re enjoying your runs!

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  8. Glad you had some closure with your dad and for your mom. Love the Yiddish words in there!

    OMG…the duck story! I’m so happy they were rescued. I’m such an animal lover, that story breaks my heart, but at least there was a happy ending.

    You had quite the animal sightings this week- that snake is huge!

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  9. It sounds like an emotional week. Glad you all got to see your Mom in person and that she was able to participate remotely — makes all that time sorting out the technology worthwhile.

    I have friends who do dog-friendly rentals for all their vacations, and it has worked out well.

    Yay on the duckling rescue!

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  10. Glad your trip was nice and that you all have closure with your dad’s burial. It’s nice you could all gather for Mother’s Day. I’m sure your mom loved it. Lots and lots of water foul here as we live on a large pond and there’s a rookery less than a mile away. Good to hear the ducklings were rescued!

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    1. It was weird because we don’t live near water!

      My brother coming was a surprise for my mom. He did say it was disturbing when she clutched her heart when she first saw him!

      Which reminds me, I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. Far too young. You’re doing everything you can to stay healthy, Marcia; pretty sure you’ll outrun your family history.

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  11. I bet your mum felt kvell with all her family around her!
    So nice that you could be together for Mother’s Day and then say a final goodbye to your dad.

    Great news on the AirBnB in July! So nice that you can have a get-away. I bet you’re looking forward to it.

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  12. We are constantly pulling ducks out of the sewers. The babies just fall right in. On Saturday, We spotted an escaped bunny and a pregnant dachshund on our run. We stopped for both and everyone is home where they belong. We also had two snakeskins in the backyard, so that’s no fun.

    I’m so glad your mom (and you) got closure. I can ‘t even imagine how difficult this must have been.

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    1. It wasn’t as difficult as you might think, although hard on my mom, for sure. We had really said goodbye at his memorial service.

      Wow on pulling ducks out of the sewer all the time! This was obviously very unusual for us.

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  13. I can imagine you were tired last week Judy. Even if there are positive outcomes like closure, it’s still a heavy week you had. Lots of memories coming to the surface too, perhaps?

    Glad the ducklings were rescued. And you really do see a lot of animals where you are! I haven’t seen anything odd, but Ron once went down to the store and saw a lady walking her pet pig 😀

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    1. We knew someone in TX with pet pigs. Sounds like they belong there, right? We do get a fair amount of animals for living in a very suburban area close to a busy road.

      Since my aunt & uncle are also buried in that cemetery, yes, lots of memories — not to mention all the relatives that used to live in that area. . My gut says it’ll be sooner rather than later when we have to make that trip for my mom. And probably do an unveiling next year, too, even though there’s already a headstone due to my brother, there will be a plaque in a year for my dad.

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  14. I’m glad you were able to grieve together and achieve that closure.

    I thought spring was here but we are currently experiencing thunderhail hooray (not). Fortunately I ran when it was sunny earlier!

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  16. Glad you were able to get some closure for you and your mom with your dad’s burial. When did he pass away? I’m really sorry for your loss. I know your mom was happy to see everyone.

    Glad the ducklings are all okay. That had to be really stressful for the mom duck.

    Glad you took it easy to rest up after your trip. Sounds like your running is going well. I know you will enjoy your trip in July.

    Haven’t seen any odd animals in my neighborhood. I did have to stop on my way to town one day last week to let a mom duck and 7 babies cross the road. They were so cute.

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  17. I hope you are rested and feeling better. Trips whether they’re fun, work, etc are exhausting. You saw many animals and beautiful flowers!! On my way to work I see a lady with her two dogs in a stroller. So cute! I wonder if I can do that with my cats. 🙂

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    1. I know a lady up here who does do walks with her cat in a stroller. You have to have the right temperate cat, & since they to,erase each other but don’t really like each other, I wouldn’t suggest it.

      You can train cats to walk on a harness & leash, but that takes time & again harder with two. I trained my last cats to do it, but of course had my husband to help. Came in very useful when we moved!

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